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1. Garud Jee's Life
2. Garud Jee's Pride is Crushed
3. Garud Jee - a funny story

One day, Naarad asked Vishnu, with a bit of hesitation, "Why do you insist that the image of Garud be placed before you in your temples? Why not me? Am I not your greatest devotee?"

Before Vishnu could reply a crash was heard outside the main gate of Vaikunth. "What was that?" asked Vishnu. Naarad turned to look in the direction of the sound. Garud, Vishnu’s hawk and vehicle, who usually investigated such events, was nowhere to be seen. "I have sent Garud on an errand. Can you find out what happened, Naarad?" asked Vishnu. Eager to please Vishnu, Naarad ran out to investigate. "A milkmaid tripped and fell." he said when he returned.

"What was her name?" asked Vishnu. Naarad ran out, spoke to the maid and returned with the answer. "Shaaradaa" he said. "Where was she going?" asked Vishnu. Naarad ran out once again, spoke to the maid and returned with the answer. "She was on her way to the market."  "What caused her trip?" asked Vishnu.

"Why did you not ask this question the last time I went?" said Naarad irritably. He then ran out, spoke to the maid once again. "She was startled by a serpent that crossed her path," he said on his return. "Is the pot carrying broken?" asked Vishnu.

"I don’t know," snapped Naarad. "Find out," said Vishnu. "Why?" asked Naarad. "Find out, Naarad. Maybe I would like to buy some milk." said Vishnu. With great reluctance, Naarad stepped out of Vaikunth and met the milkmaid. He returned looking rather pleased, "She broke one pot. But there is another one intact. And she is willing to sell the milk but at double price."  "So how much should I pay her?" asked Vishnu. "Oh, I forgot to ask. I am so sorry." said Naarad running out once again. "Do not bother. Let me send someone else to find out." said Vishnu.

Just then, Garud Jee flew in. He had no idea of what had transpired between Vishnu and Naarad. Vishnu told Garud, "I heard a crashing sound outside the main gate. Can you find out what happened?" As Garud left, Vishnu winked at Naarad and whispered, "Let us see how he fares."

Garud Jee returned. "It is a milkmaid named Shaaradaa. She was on her way to the market. On the way, a snake crossed her path. She got startled, she fell back and broke one of the two pots of milk she was carrying. Now she wonders how she will make enough money to pay for the broken pot and the spilt milk. I suggested her that she could sell the milk to you. After all, you are married to Lakshmee, the goddess of wealth.”

"And the price of the milk?" asked Vishnu. Garud Jee replied, "Four copper coins. One copper coin actually, but I think she hopes to make a handsome profit when dealing with God, that is why I said four copper coins." Vishnu started to laugh. His eye caught Naarad’s and Naarad Jee understood at that instant why Garud’s statue and not his own is always placed before the image of Vishnu in Vishnu temples.

Thus Naarad Jee had behaved like a reactive subordinate - very obedient, doing what the master told him to, leaving all thinking to the master; While Garud Jee behaved like a proactive subordinate, anticipating all his master’s moves and preparing for it. That "ability to anticipate" made Garud more efficient and effective and hence more valuable in the eyes of Vishnu.

Other Stories Related to Garud Bird
There is a Temple of Shiv, Thirukaazhu Kundaram or commonly known as Pakshee Teertham in Hindi, in Chennai, Tamilnaadu. It is situated on the way to Chengelpattu -> Mahaabalipuram at a place of 49 Kms, from Kaacheepuram; and 16 kms East of Mahaabalipuram. Chennai from here is 70 kms on Chennai-Trichy roadway of NH 45 via Chengelpattu. As this Temple is situated on Bhedaa Giri Hill, one has to climb upon some 537 steps to reach the Temple which is 160 meters up. The specialty of this Shiv Temple is that everyday, a pair of eagles, named Pooshaa and Prithvi, visit this Temple between 11.30 AM to 12.00 PM to receive offerings. Sometimes only one eagle flies down to the Temple.

Legend Behind the Eagles
Legend says that two sages in disguise of eagles come here after taking bath at Vaaraanasee they take lunch at Pakshee Teertham and then fly to Raameshwaram. There exists a holy pond at Pakshee Teertham. Believers say a conch emerges out of the pond every 12 years.

Hindu eagle mystery is deepening with more information coming from different sources.

1. Why do Hindu worship eagle (Suparn = Garud) from Rig Ved Days till today?
2. Why do Hindu build their Yagya Kund (Fire altars) in eagle shape?
3. How is that two eagles come to Tirukazuku Kundaram just to eat rice pudding everyday for over 1300 year period?
4. Why do Hindu call Emeralds as Garud Ratna (eagle gem), which Sindbad story writer copied it from the Hindu?
5. Why a Shaivite saint sang 1300 years ago about an eagle bringing flowers to Shiv every day?
6. Why do Tamil children shout "Drop me a flower please" when they see Garud (falcon/eagle) in the sky? Why do Hindu recite a Sanskrit hymn when they see Garud?
7. Why does Vishnu use Garud as his Vaahan (Mount of God)?
8. Why did Raam cremate an eagle Jataayu in Raamaayan? Was it eagle totem people or real eagle? Why Tamils associate this with Vaitheeshwaran Koil (eagle town)?
9. Why did Eagle people and Snake people (Garud and Naag) fight all over the world? We have the story here in Puraan, but symbols are in Egypt and Maayaa civilization too?
10. How come eagle brought Som plant for the Yagya (Fire ceremonies of Hindu)?

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