Ganada (Syena or Eagle) or Allas or Supama the celestial bird was known in the Rig Age (Early Harappan 1500-3000 B.C. in Mesopotamian mythology and art before 3000 BC). There is very little Archaeological evidence to confirm whether Garuda was a mythical or a real bird.
However, the author is of the view that the belief about the actual existence of this mystical bird has penetrated deeply into not only the subconscious of individuals but also has been woven into the basic structure of the cosmos.
Symbols that have the bird and the snake as exactly opposite concepts were born in Mesopotamia. The hind symbolizes the sky and the snake, the earthy and water the two relatively major clements of the cosmos. This symbolist thought immersed into the life and tenure of the Eurasian continent like water seeping into Mother Earth. In India, this thought was reconstituted into the myth of Canada and Naga and was disseminated again mo South East Asia, China, and Japan along with Hinduism and Buddhism in their new form.
The contrasting thought of bird and snake deeply steeped in the cultural fabric was already there in different parts of the world in the mythology, folktales, and legends but Ganada and Naga that got transplanted along with Hinduism, Buddhism and other gods brought about a major transformation like a shockwave as if overwriting all that existed until then and triggered the birth of a new culture.
The author formulated this hypothesis many years ago and to verify he carried out fieldwork for the last 30 years all alone Sonse years ago when he met De Deo Prakash Sharma, he requested his cooperation to collect materials and pictures about Garuda in India. In the process of their work, many differences in their approaches and views were discovered but Dr. Sharma was kind enough to give a patient hearing and show understanding to the author's views and was even kind enough to agree to co-author this book. This book is only an initial attempt to manifest how and when the idea of Garuda originated and how and where the idea has been diffused.
In India, Ganesh is a highly popular god id Croda in the author's opinion is not even as popular as Hanuman. Since Ganada is the vehicle of Vishu, he may ultimately take us to the heavens and may provide us with the nectar Thanks to the divine guidance of Garuda, the author has been able to carry out his research for long in an enjoyable manner. Moreover, Garuda has even bestowed good tack on him.
The author is indebted to a large number of people who made this book a possibility but it may not be possible to name each one of them here. However, some of them who need special mention are Dr. Prem Morwani, (Prof Jawaharlal Nehru University) for his valuable advice and painstaking translation from Japanese into English despite his busy schedule, and Shigei, his wife, who looked after the family during his absence for 3 months at a stretch) every year for 30 years when he traveled overseas.
Finally, the author would like to express his adoration for Garuda for blessing him with the opportunity to carry out such meaningful research that was difficult, but in enjoyable manner. Further, the author prays to Garuda to bring good luck and protection to all those whom he has come to know during the making of this book
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