Garuda vs. the Bald Eagle
Garuda: National Emblem of Thailand :: Bald Eagle: National Emblem of the USA
One mythical birdman said by Veda Vyasa to have brought the elixir of immortality from the heavens to the Earth, one large bird of prey, said by Benjamin Franklin to be "of poor moral character."
Before examining the evidence, let's take a moment to consider: What's Thailand got to do with anything? I'll tell you what. Thailand is like a cornucopia of wondrous delights: Thai Iced Tea, Pad Thai, Thai Dye, Thai Massage - which has inspired a good thing going on next Sunday night:
Thai and Chai!
December 7th from 7-9pm at Yoga Now Gold Coast. Come enjoy FREE mini sessions of Thai massage as well as Chai and Thai food! Excepting the Thai Dye (BYO), next Sunday will highlight the whole* of Thailand's aforementioned cornucopia in one location. Wear loose, comfortable (unevenly colored) clothing as the bodywork is done on mats on the floor. SERVING SUGGESTION: Come to my Sunday night Restorative class at 7pm and then scoot on over to Thai and Chai at 8!
*it should be noted that Thailand's treasure is not limited to 4 items, one of which is arguably a plague to the Occidental "Tee".
Back to the inquiry at hand. While Garuda is not reported to have been observed in the flesh, the Bald Eagle can be seen to this day from Alaska to the Northern border of Mexico, (thanks to the National Emblem Act of 1940 and the Endangered Species Act). The bald eagle has been found to live up to 50 years in captivity, while Garuda is, well, ancient. Sporting a wing span of 6-8 feet, the bald eagle is a pretty big bird. Garuda, on the other hand, according to the Mahabarata, at the moment he first hatched from his baby bird egg, appeared as "a raging inferno equal to the cosmic conflagration that consumes the world at the end of every age." That said, the bald eagle does partner with one other eagle for the duration of its life, which, for many of us, is a feat of nearly unimaginable difficulty. It is unknown whether Garuda enjoys the benefits of an LTR.
It would seem to some at this point that Garuda (awesome) and the bald eagle (honorable mention) have little more in common than possession of wings, beak and talons. Alas, there is one Great Uniter for Garuda and the eagle, and YOU are the vehicle which will bring it to pass:
GARUDASANA, "the eagle pose"
<- you.
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