photo by Randolfo Santos on Google Maps
Garuda and Vishnu; painting by Raja Ravi Varma, public domain
Born of an egg, five hundred years in the hatching.
Born into enmity with the Nagas, his one thousand siblings; bound into peace by Buddha.
Taken by Vishnu to be his vehicle, to transport him horizon to horizon, fast as a flash, to fight injustice, to destroy evil.
Garuda, who with the flap of his wing stops the spinning of heaven and earth.
Garuda, the idea and the Self, from Vishnu inseparable.
Garuda, alias Galon, every true king’s insignia.
77 words written for What Pegman Saw: Myanmar
crispina kemp 
Lovely writing Crispina and another introduction to a being I’d not heard of before, so thank you! 🙂
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I have to say I was delighted to be able to include Garuda, although that’s not the name he’s best known by in Myanmar. Garuda and the Nagas, and how they were set against each other. Fantastic story.
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May nagas never deserve a bad press.
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No, I relate it only as it appears in the original story, at odds with each other because of their mothers. After all, Buddha caused them to make peace. 🙂
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What attracts me to nagas and dragons is their metaphoric/reputed wisdom.
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Indeed. I’d say the nagas suffer from the same ambiguity as the serpent or snake in Western culture. Physically, the snake is a threat to our children if not to ourselves, and yet because of its ability to shed skin and appear to be eternal, it carries the symbolism of wisdom. And so we are both drawn to it, and repulsed.
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Rich in legend, history and spirituality. A beautifully written piece. And in so few words!! Masterfully done.
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I’m developing *good* on short words. 🙂
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Excellent. Beautifully written, interesting story. Superb painting by Ravi Verma unique style. Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure. And I love that painting, too.
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Well done in introducing us to yet another legend!
You really do these well, Crispina.
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Thanks, Dale. Steeped in it, me.
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Dear Crispina,
A delightful story, steeped in mysticism and culture. I really enjoyed it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I thank you. Though I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: This is my thing, what occupies my mind, what drives me to seek answers
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That’s an impressive re-telling of some of Garuda’s story! Economical with words but not stinting in vivid description. Kudos!
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Ah, and I’d say you know the story. It wasn’t easy to decide which thread to follow.
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Fascinating legend. Masterful how you packed that in 77 words!
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I think I find it easier to keep it brief. I think. It seems to be working.
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Another intriguing story I’m not familiar with. But somehow inspiring.
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It’s a Hindu story, later taken and adapted by the Buddhist traditions.
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Oh I see.
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🙂
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I am so sadly lacking in education about Hinduism or India! Alas. Still, a very lovely story with an intriguing flavor. 🙂
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That’s the qualifier, isn’t it. That the reader doesn’t need prior knowledge to enjoy it. 🙂
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