The Garuda Purana , Angst, and Rituals: The Modes of Material Benefit through Religious Hegemony and Power

Abstract

This article examines the Garuda Purana, a 4th-century religious text believed to have originated in Nepal, which presents a dialogue between the god Vishnu and Garuda, the king of the birds. The second section of the Garuda Purana addresses death, funeral rites, and the metaphysics of reincarnation, focusing on how these elements function as religious tools. Widely regarded as a funeral liturgy by religious leaders and followers and practiced still in Nepal and India, the Garuda Purana is used to motivate adherents to make material offerings in hopes of securing a favourable passage to the afterlife through Sradha. The article explores the relationship between dharma (social duty) and moksha (spiritual liberation). Through an analysis of the text's ritual, cosmological teachings, and social hierarchies, the article argues that the Garuda Purana serves as a means of religious dominance, addressing existential anxieties while facilitating material gain to Brahmins. It demonstrates how the text employs both ideological and ritualistic practices to solidify the power of religious institutions, thereby maintaining a cultural order that shapes societal values and individual behavior.