The Garuda Purana

The Garuda Purana is a book by Ernest Wood and S.V. Subrahmanyam, first published in 1911. This work is a translation of one of the eighteen Mahāpurāṇas, ancient Hindu texts that form a vital part of Indian religious literature. Traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa, the Garuda Purana is presented as a conversation between Lord Vishnu and his vehicle, Garuda the celestial eagle. It is particularly known for its vivid discourse on death, the afterlife, and the journey of the soul—providing detailed descriptions of funeral rites, karmic consequences, and the metaphysical geography of the spirit world. This English rendering by Wood and Subrahmanyam introduced Western audiences to an esoteric but integral part of Hindu belief. While the Garuda Purana covers a broad range of topics — cosmology, medicine, astrology, gemology, ethics, and worship — it is most often remembered for its treatment of death and the soul's liberation. The translation remains a compelling resource for scholars, spiritual seekers, and those interested in cross-cultural perspectives on mortality and morality. It also serves as a bridge between ancient Hindu thought and modern curiosity about the spiritual mechanics of life and death.