The Garuda Purana is one of the eighteen Mahāpurāṇas (major Puranas) of Hinduism. It is a sacred text that is traditionally recited in Hindu homes especially after a death, as it deals extensively with the journey of the soul after death, rituals for the deceased, and descriptions of heaven and hell. Here’s a detailed explanation:

The Garuda Purana is one of the eighteen Mahāpurāṇas (major Puranas) of Hinduism. It is a sacred text that is traditionally recited in Hindu homes especially after a death, as it deals extensively with the journey of the soul after death, rituals for the deceased, and descriptions of heaven and hell. Here’s a detailed explanation:

📖 What is the Garuda Purana?

The Garuda Purana is a Vaishnava Purana, meaning it is primarily dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

It is structured as a dialogue between Lord Vishnu and His vehicle, Garuda (the divine bird). Garuda asks Vishnu various questions about life, death, the afterlife, cosmology, medicine, ethics, and spiritual practices.

It is particularly famous for its description of the afterlife (Naraka) and is read as part of antyeshti (death) rituals in many Hindu communities.

🖋 Who wrote it?

The Garuda Purana, like other Puranas, does not have a single human author.

It is attributed to Sage Veda Vyasa, who is credited with compiling and classifying the Vedas and Puranas.

It is considered a smriti text (remembered literature), as opposed to the Vedas which are shruti (heard/revealed texts).

📜 How many chapters and shlokas are there?

The Garuda Purana exists in two main recensions:

1. Purva Khanda (first part) – often called the Garuda Purana proper

2. Uttara Khanda (later part)

🪶 Details:

Total Chapters: Approximately 19,000 shlokas divided into two parts (khanda).

Purva Khanda (Preta Khanda): Describes cosmology, the path of the soul after death, and funeral rites.

Uttara Khanda: Covers Ayurveda, gemology, ethics, yoga, astronomy, and temple rituals.

Chapters: Around 279 chapters (though the number varies slightly in different manuscripts).

Shlokas (Verses): Around 15,000–19,000, depending on the version (some versions are abridged).

🌐 Language of Origin

The original language of the Garuda Purana is Sanskrit.

It was later translated into regional languages like Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, and others to make it accessible to local populations.

🌌 Key Themes of the Garuda Purana

Death and Afterlife: The journey of the soul after death, Yama’s court, and karmic consequences.

Funeral Rites: How to perform proper cremation and śrāddha rituals for ancestors.

Descriptions of Naraka (Hells): Detailed accounts of various punishments for sins.

Cosmology: Structure of the universe, heavens, and earth.

Ayurveda & Gemology: Healing practices and the influence of gemstones.

Ethics and Dharma: How to live a righteous life.