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Garuda (from Wikipedia Images) [Placed into public domain].
Garuda (from Wikipedia Images) [Placed into public domain].
The Garuda Purana
Translated by Ernest Wood and S.V. Subrahmanyam
[1911]
Contents Start Reading Page Index Text [Zipped]

This is a translation of an abridged version of the Garuda Purana.

The Garuda Purana is one of the Vishnu Puranas. It is in the form of
a dialog between Vishnu and Garuda, the King of Birds. The second
section of this Purana (given here) deals with issues connected with
death, particularly funeral rites and the metaphysics of
reincarnation. Portions of the Garuda Purana are used by some
Hindus as funeral liturgy. Indeed, some consider it unlucky to read
this text except during funerals.

Of interest are the intermediate states between birth and rebirth,

which roughly correspond to the western concepts of Hell and
Heaven. Since this was written during the medieval era, it is
possible that the writer of this text had contact with Christianity.
Earlier Hindu texts do not elaborate about 'hell' and 'heaven,' at
least not to this extent, and the subject is completely absent in the
oldest texts. Here, the torments of Hell are described in terms that
would not be out of place in a Baptist revival tent (or Dante, for that
matter). In addition, the four-square city of Yama, the God of Death,
is reminiscent of the heavenly city in Revelation. However, these
are way stations between incarnations (or, as termed in the Tibetan
Book of the Dead, Bardos), not a permanent destination.
The Garuda Purana starts with the details of the afterlife. Following
this is an account of funeral procedures, including rituals, the
astrological timing of the post-death observances, and ritual gifts.
Balancing the extended vision of Hell in the earlier part of the
document is a shorter account of the City of Yama. After that is an
enumeration of correspondences between the macrocosmos and
the human body. The final part of this text is an appeal to self-
knowledge as the key to liberation, going beyond austerities and
study of the texts. "The fool, not knowing that the truth is seated in
himself, is bewildered by the Shastras,--a foolish goatherd, with the
young goat under his arm, peers into the well."

Title Page
Contents
Introduction
Chapter I. An Account of the Miseries of the Sinful in this World
and the Other
Chapter II. An Account of The Way of Yama
Chapter III. An Account of the Torments of Yama
Chapter VI. An Account of the Kinds of Sins which lead to Hell
Chapter V. An Account of the Signs of Sins
Chapter VI. The Miseries of Birth of the Sinful
Chapter VII. Babhruvāhana's Sacrament for the Departed One
Chapter VIII. An Account of the Gifts for the Dying
Chapter IX. An Account of the Rites for the Dying
Chapter X. The Collecting of the Bones from the Fire
Chapter XI. An Account of the Ten-Days' Ceremonies
Chapter XII. An Account of the Eleventh-day Rite
Chapter XIII. An Account of the Ceremony for all the Ancestors
Chapter XIV. An Account of the City of the King of Justice
Chapter XV. An Account of the Coming to Birth of People who have
done Good
Chapter XVI. An Account of the Law for Liberation

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Garuda Purana - book cover
Garuda Purana
by Manmatha Nath Dutt | 1908 | 245,256 words | ISBN-13:
9788183150736

Hinduism Purana
Summary: The English translation of the Garuda Purana: contents
include a creation theory, description of vratas (religious
observances), sacred holidays, sacred places dedicated to the sun,
but also prayers from the Tantrika ritual, addressed to the sun, to
Shiva, and to Vishnu.

The Garuda Purana also contains treatises on astrology, palmistry,

and precious stones; and one, still more extensive, on medicine.

This edition contains the English translation of the Garuda Purana.

Most occurrences of native Sanskrit words have been rendered
using (limited) roman transliteration (IAST). There is however, no
persistency in the syntax for individual words. There were also lots
of obvious typo´s which have been corrected, and I have given
alternate hints to possible typo's.

Alternate titles of this text:

- Garuḍa Purāṇa (गरुड पुराण) or garuḍapurāṇa (गरुडपुराण);

- Śrī Garuḍamahāpurāṇam (श्री गरुडमहापुराणम् )

Source 1: motilalbanarsidass.com
Source 2: archive.org

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Garuda Purana in English is available here and
publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always
recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can
see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Title Page
Preface
+ Agastya Samhita
. Chapter I - Discourse between Suta and Shaunaka and other Rishis
in the forest of Namisha
. Chapter II - Sources of the Garuda Puranam
. Chapter III - Suta describes the subjects dealt with in the Garuda
Puranam
. Chapter IV - Order of Universal creation, described by Narayana to
Rudra
. Chapter V - Creation of the Prajapatis
. Chapter VI - Re-incarnation of Daksha in the form of Prachetas
. Chapter VII - Description of the sun-worship etc. as performed by
the Self-origined Manu
. Chapter VIII - Description of the mode of worshipping Vishnu
. Chapter IX - The mode of spiritual initiation
. Chapter X - The mode of worshipping the goddess Lakshmi
. Chapter XI - Description of the Nava-Vyuha form of worship
. Chapter XII - Description of the order to be observed in the course
of worship
. Chapter XIII - The prayer of Vishnu Panjaram
. Chapter XIV - A brief discourse on Yoga
. Chapter XV - Enumeration of one thousand epithets of Vishnu
. Chapter XVI - Description of the mode of meditating on Vishnu as
well as of the rite of sun-worship
. Chapter XVII - Description of another form of sun-worship
. Chapter XVIII - Mode of worshipping the death-conquering deity
(Mrityunjaya)
. Chapter XIX - The Garudi Vidya which is the cure for all kinds of
snake-bite
. Chapter XX - Mantra-cures (curative formulas) of snakebite as
narrated by Shiva
. Chapter XXI - Mode of worshipping, the Panchavaktra (fivefaced)
manifestation of Shiva
. Chapter XXII - The mode of worshipping Shiva
. Chapter XXIII - Description of another form of Shiva worship
. Chapter XXIV - The worship of Ganapati
. Chapter XXV - Sandal-worship (Paduka puja) described
. Chapter XXVI - The mode of performing the rites of Karanyasa
. Chapter XXVII - Rites for neutralising the effects of snake venoms
. Chapter XXVIII - The mode of worshipping the Gopala
Manifestation of Vishnu
. Chapter XXIX - Mantras to be used in connection with the worship
of Shridhara manifestation of Vishnu
. Chapter XXX - Elaborate description of the mode of worshipping
the Shridhara manifestation of Vishnu
. Chapter XXXI - Description of another form of Vishnu worship
. Chapter XXXII - Adoration of the five fundamental principles of
the universe
. Chapter XXXIII - Worship of the divine discus (Sudarshana)
. Chapter XXXIV - Hayagriva worship
. Chapter XXXV - The mode of worshipping the Hayagriva
manifestation of Vishnu
. Chapter XXXVI - Mode of performing, the rite of Gayatri Nyasa
. Chapter XXXVII - Description of the glories of Gayatri
. Chapter XXXVIII - The mode of worshipping the deities, Durga, etc.
. Chapter XXXIX - Description of another form of Sun-worship
. Chapter XL - Maheshvara worship
. Chapter XLI - Enumeration of diverse incantations, Mantras (Nana
Vidya)
. Chapter XLII - Description of investing a phallic emblem with
sacred thread
. Chapter XLIII - Description of the rite of investing an image of
Vishnu with the holy thread
. Chapter XLIV - Contemplation of embodied and disembodied God
. Chapter XLV - Characteristic marks of Shalagrama Stones
(Shaligram)
. Chapter XLVI - Adoration of the deity presiding over homesteads
(Vastu)
. Chapter XLVII - Essential features of a divine temple or of a palace
. Chapter XLVIII - Installations of divine images
. Chapter XLIX - Discourse on Yoga and acts of piety
. Chapter L - Discourses on charities and gift-makings, etc.
. Chapter LI - Discourses on charities and gift-makings, etc.
(continued)
. Chapter LII - Regulations of Prayaschittas (penitential rites)
. Chapter LIII - Traits of conduct of men marked by the several
kinds of Nidhis
. Chapter LIV - Progeny of Priya Vrata and incidental description of
the Seven Islands of the Earth
. Chapter LV - Description of the Geographical situations of the
different countries of the earth
. Chapter LVI - Enumeration of the names of princes of the
continent of Plaksha, etc.
. Chapter LVII - Cosmogeny of Hell and the nether regions
. Chapter LVIII - Positions and dimensions of the sun and other
planets
. Chapter LIX - Discourses on Astrology
. Chapter LX - Discourses on the period of influences of the
different planets with that of the sun
. Chapter LXI - Influences of the moon in her different mansions
. Chapter LXII - Discourses on Lagnamana
. Chapter LXIII - A brief discourse on the auspicious and
inauspicious marks on the persons of males
. Chapter LXIV - A brief discourse on the auspicious or in auspicious
marks on the person of females
. Chapter LXV - Auspicious marks on men and women as disclosed
by the science of Samudrikam
. Chapter LXVI - Description of the specific marks of Salagrama
. Chapter LXVII - The science of Pavana Vijaya (conquest of breath)
. Chapter LXVIII - Description of the origin of gems in the treatise
on Ratna Pariksa (test of gems)
. Chapter LXIX - Tests of Pearls
. Chapter LXX - Tests of Ruby
. Chapter LXXI - Tests of Emerald
. Chapter LXXII - Tests of Sapphires
. Chapter LXXIII - Tests of Lapis Lazuli (Vaidurya)
. Chapter LXXIV - Tests of topas (puspa-raga)
. Chapter LXXV - Tests of Karketana
. Chapter LXXVI - Test of Bhisma-stone
. Chapter LXXVII - Tests of Pulaka stones
. Chapter LXXVIII - Test of blood stone
. Chapter LXXIX - Tests of crystals
. Chapter LXXX - Tests of Corals
. Chapter LXXXI - A brief description of holy pools and sanctuaries
. Chapter LXXXII - Description of the sanctity of Gaya and its early
history
. Chapter LXXXIII - Description of different rites
. Chapter LXXXIV - Ablutions in the river Phalgu merit of masing
offerings of funeral cakes at Rudra
. Chapter LXXXV - Merit of offering funeral cakes at Pretasila in
Gaya
. Chapter LXXXVI - Merit of performing Sraddhas at Preta Sila
. Chapter LXXXVII - Enumeration of the names of fourteen Manus
and of the Devas and Saptarsis
. Chapter LXXXVIII - Annals of Ruci incidentally narrated in the
discourse between Markandeya and Kraustika
. Chapter LXXXIX - Ruci hymnises the Pitris who in their turn grant
him a boon
. Chapter XC - Marriage of Ruci and birth of Raucya Manu
. Chapter XCI - Contemplation of Hari
. Chapter XCII - Contemplation of Hari and its process
. Chapter XCIII - Laws of virtue as promulgated by the holy
Yajnavalkya
. Chapter XCIV - Initiation with the holy thread the study of the
Vedas
. Chapter XCV - Duties of house holders
. Chapter XCVI - Origin of mixed castes
. Chapter XCVII - Purifications of Metalled articles
. Chapter XCVIII - Gift making and Charity
. Chapter XCIX - Mode of performing Sraddhas
. Chapter C - Worship of Vinayakas Durga
. Chapter CI - Propitiation of malignant Planets
. Chapter CII - Duties of the order of forest dwelling hermits
. Chapter CIII - Duties of Yatis
. Chapter CIV - Signs of sinful souls
. Chapter CV - Rites of atonement (Prayaschitta)
. Chapter CVI - Impurities and Purities
. Chapter CVII - A synopsis of the Dharma-Sastra by Parasara
+ Brihaspati (Nitisara) Samhita
. Chapter CVIII - Synopsis of rules of conduct
. Chapter CIX - Advice on thrift and economy in the Nitisara
. Chapter CX - Advice as to the non-rejectment of certain goods
. Chapter CXI - Commendable traits in kings etc. (in the Nitisara)
. Chapter CXII - Commendable traits in servants (in the Nitisara)
. Chapter CXIII - Injunctions as to the appointments of the honest
and the erudite in the king’s service etc.
. Chapter CXIV - Injunctions as to the distinction of friends and
enemies (in the Nitisara)
. Chapter CXV - Counsels by Shaunaka on forswearing bad wives
etc. (End of the Brihaspati Samhita)
. Chapter CXVI - Enumeration of the names of Vratas (vows and
penances) commenced
. Chapter CXVII - The Ananga trayodasi Vratam
. Chapter CXVIII - The Akhanda Dvadasi Vratam
. Chapter CXIX - Agastyatritiya Vratam
. Chapter CXX - The Rambha Trtiya Vratam
. Chapter CXXI - The Caturmasyam Vratam
. Chapter CXXII - The Masopavasa Vratam
. Chapter CXXIII - Kartika Vratas
. Chapter CXXIV - The Siva Ratra Vratam
. Chapter CXXV - The Ekadasi Vratam
. Chapter CXXVI - Visvedeva Puja
. Chapter CXXVII - Bhaimi Ekadasi and Dvadasi Vratam
. Chapter CXXVIII - Various Vratas described
. Chapter CXXIX - The Pratipad Vratas
. Chapter CXXX - The Shashti Vratas, Maricha Saptami Vratas
. Chapter CXXXI - Rohini Astami Vratas etc
. Chapter CXXXII - The Sadgati Vratam etc
. Chapter CXXXIII - Asokastami Vratas etc
. Chapter CXXXIV - Maha Kausika Vratas etc
. Chapter CXXXV - The Viranavami Vratas etc
. Chapter CXXXVI - The Sravana Dvadasi Vratas etc
. Chapter CXXXVII - The Damanaka Tryodasi Vratas
. Chapter CXXXVIII - Genealogy of royal princes (solar race)
. Chapter CXXXIX - Genealogy of the princes of the lunar race
. Chapter CXL - Description of the race of puru
. Chapter CXLI - descriptions of kings who came after Janamejaya
. Chapter CXLII - Incarnations of Visnu and the glory of nuptial
fidelity of Sita Described
. Chapter CXLIII - The Ramayana
. Chapter CXLIV - Description of the Harivamsa
. Chapter CXLV - The Mahabharatam
+ Dhanvantari Samhita
. Chapter CXLVI - Description of the Nidanam of all the diseases
. Chapter CXLVII - The Nidanam of Fever
. Chapter CXLVIII - The Nidanam of Raktapittam (Haemorrhage)
. Chapter CXLIX - The Nidanam of Cough
. Chapter CL - The Nidanam dyspaksea
. Chapter CLI - The Nidanam of Hic Cough
. Chapter CLII - The Nidanam of pulmonary consumption
. Chapter CLIII - The Nidanam of Aversion of food
. Chapter CLIV - The Nidanam of heart disease
. Chapter CLV - The Nidanam of diseases resulting from the excess
or abuse of wine
. Chapter CLVI - The Nidanam of Hæmorrhoids
. Chapter CLVII - The Nidanam of Dysentry
. Chapter CLVIII - The Nidanam of Stangury etc.
. Chapter CLIX - The Nidanam of diseases of the Urinary organs
(Pramehas)
. Chapter CLX - The Nidanam of abscesses etc.
. Chapter CLXI - The Nidanam of Ascited etc
. Chapter CLXII - The Nidanam of Chorosis
. Chapter CLXIII - The Nidanam of Erysipelas (Missing)
. Chapter CLXIV - The Nidanam of cutaneous affections (Kusthas)
(Missing)
. Chapter CLXV - The Nidanam of Bodily parasites
. Chapter CLXVI - The Nidanam of Bodily parasites
. Chapter CLXVII - The Nidanam of Vata Raktam
. Chapter CLXVIII - The Nidanam of Mukha-roga
. Chapter CLXIX - The Nidanam of diseases of the ears
. Chapter CLXX - The Nidanam of diseases of the nose
. Chapter CLXXI - The Nidanam of diseases of the eyes
. Chapter CLXXII - The Nidanam of diseases of the head
. Chapter CLXXIII - The Nidanam of diseases of the female
reproductive organs
. Chapter CLXXIV - The Nidanam of difficult labour
. Chapter CLXXV - The Nidanam, of diseases peculiar to parturient
women
. Chapter CLXXVI - The Nidanam of diseases peculiar to peculiar to
infant life
. Chapter CLXXVII - The Nidanam of Syphilis
. Chapter CLXXVIII - The Nidanam of Variola
. Chapter CLXXIX - The Nidanam of minor affections
. Chapter CLXXX - The Nidanam of Fistual in Anas, etc.
. Chapter CLXXXI - The Nidanam of poisons
. Chapter CLXXXII - The Nidanam of Shlipadam (Elephantiasis)
. Chapter CLXXXIII - The Nidanam of Goitre scrofula and glandular
swellings
. Chapter CLXXXIV - The Nidanam of Vomiting
. Chapter CLXXXV - The Nidanam of Urticaria
. Chapter CLXXXVI - The Nidanam of Sula neuralgic pain etc
. Chapter CLXXXVII - The Nidanam of aphonia
. Chapter CLXXXVIII - The Nidanam of Udavarta
. Chapter CLXXXIX - The Nidanam of traumatic ulcers etc
. Chapter CXC - The Nidanam of Sarira Vranas (idiopathic ulcers)
. Chapter CXCI - The Nidanam of fractures
. Chapter CXCII - Medicinal recipes of inffalible effcacies
. Chapter CXCIII - Medical treatment of fever etc
. Chapter CXCIV - Medical treatments of Sinus etc
. Chapter CXCV - Medical treatment of female complaints
. Chapter CXCVI - Therapeutic properties of drugs
. Chapter CXCVII - Preparations of medicinal oils and Ghritas
. Chapter CXCVIII - Various medicinal compounds disclosed by Hari
to Hara
. Chapter CXCIX - Various other medicinal Recipes
. Chapter CC - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCI - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCII - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCIII - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCIV - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCV - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCVI - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCVII - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCVIII - Aphrodisiacs, Love, charms, etc.
. Chapter CCIX - Various other Recipes
. Chapter CCX - Various other Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCXI - Medical treatment of cuts, wounds, scalds, burns,
etc.
. Chapter CCXII - Other Medicinal Recipes
. Chapter CCXIII - Other Medicinal Recipes (continued)
. Chapter CCXIV - Medical treatment of snake-bite, etc.
. Chapter CCXV - Various Recipes
. Chapter CCXVI - Medical treatment of the diseases of cows, etc.
. Chapter CCXVII - Various Recipes for the cure of sterility, virile
impotency, etc.
. Chapter CCXVIII - Various Recipes of fumigation-compounds, etc.
. Chapter CCXIX - The prophylactic charm of Vaishnava Kavacham
. Chapter CCXX - The Sarvarthada Mantra
. Chapter CCXXI - The Vishnu-Dharma Vidya
. Chapter CCXXII - The Garuda Vidya
. Chapter CCXXIII - The Tripura Vidya
. Chapter CCXXIV - The Chudamani
. Chapter CCXXV - The Pavana Vijaya
. Chapter CCXXVI - Medical treatment of the diseases of horses
. Chapter CCXXVII - Different names of the Ayurvedic Drugs
. Chapter CCXXVIII - Rules of Grammar
. Chapter CCXXIX - Duties of Brahmanas, etc.
. Chapter CCXXX - A Synopsis of practical pieties
. Chapter CCXXXI - Expiatory Penances
. Chapter CCXXXII - Dissolution of the Universe
. Chapter CCXXXIII - Naimittika Pralaya, etc.
. Chapter CCXXXIV - The Wheel of Existence (Samsara Chakra)
. Chapter CCXXXV - The mode of Practising the Great Yoga
. Chapter CCXXXVI - Vishnu Bhakti
. Chapter CCXXXVII - Vishnu Bhakti (continued)
. Chapter CCXXXVIII - The contemplation of Vishnu
. Chapter CCXXXIX - The excellence of Faith
. Chapter CCXL - Traits of a true Vaishnava
. Chapter CCXLI - The hymn to Nri-Sinha
. Chapter CCXLII - The Jnanamritam Stotram
. Chapter CCXLIII - The hymn to Vishnu composed by the holy
Markandeya
. Chapter CCXLIV - The hymn to Achyuta
. Chapter CCXLV - The knowledge of Brahma
. Chapter CCXLVI - The knowledge of Self
. Chapter CCXLVII - Synopsis of the Gita
. Chapter CCXLVIII - The eight essentials of Yoga, etc.
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Last Updated: 30 November, 2024
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