[Advaita-l] On vAnara, garuDa etc

[jaldhar at braincells.com]

On Tue, 12 Apr 2022, Shrinivas Gadkari via Advaita-l wrote:

> vAnara vidyA, garuDa vidyA were ancient advanced upAsanA-s that incorporated
> some key animal/ bird characteristics into their yoga practices. 
>

Garudavidya is the tantric vidya concerning mantras for controlling 
snakes, curing snakebites etc.  It is well known.  (For instance Narada in 
his conversation with Sanatkumara in Chandogyopanishad 7.1.2 claims 
sarpavidya - a synonym - as one of the vidyas he knows.)  But I have never 
heard of a Vanaravidya.  Do you have any reference?


> The humans specializing in vAnara vidyA are referred to as vAnara-s.
> This community was especially inhabiting south India during the time of shrI rAma.

Hanumana for instance is described as having a tail.  (See shloka 77.)  I 
have not travelled much in that area but I am pretty sure South Indians do 
not have tails! :-)


> Similarly garuDa-s are associated with garuDa vidyA.


Garudavidyopasakas are definitely humans.  They do not imitate birds.  It 
is called Garudavidya because Garuda is the traditional enemy of 
snakekind that's all.

-- 
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>