The month of Shravana is filled with spiritually rich festivals, and among them, Garuda Panchami and Naga Panchami hold deep scriptural significance. Though they appear to honor opposite personalities—Garuda, the eternal enemy of serpents, and Nagas, the celestial serpents—both days ultimately glorify the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna or Sri Vishnu.
Devotional Comparison
| Aspect | Garuda Panchami | Naga Panchami |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Shravana Shukla Panchami | Shravana Shukla Panchami or a day or two before/after, depending on region |
| Who is Worshipped | Garuda, the eagle carrier of Lord Vishnu | Naga Devatas, especially Ananta Shesha and Vasuki |
| Nature of Deity | Paramabhakta (Supreme devotee of Lord Vishnu), Mahajana | Semi-divine beings associated with mysticism and nature |
| Mood | Devotion and service—Garuda is the ideal servant who risks everything to please the Lord | Appeasement and respect—Nagas are worshipped to prevent harm and acknowledge their place in creation |
| Relation to Krishna | Garuda appears frequently in Krishna’s pastimes; he carried Lord Krishna and fought demons | Krishna subdued Kaliya Naga, danced on his hoods, and eventually gave him mercy—teaching us compassion and supremacy of bhakti |
| Scriptural Reference | Srimad Bhagavatam, Garuda Purana | Srimad Bhagavatam (Kaliya-lila), Puranas mentioning Ananta and Vasuki |
| Deeper Message | Bhakti defeats fear. Garuda serves without hesitation—symbolizing surrender. | False ego must be subdued. Kaliya represents envy and poison, but even he is purified by Krishna’s touch. |
| Vaishnava Angle | Worship of a Mahajana who represents perfect servitude to the Lord | Worship of beings who, though powerful, are under the Lord’s control and receive His mercy |
Harmonizing Both Days in Krishna Consciousness
While externally it may seem like Garuda and Nagas are in conflict, both festivals remind devotees of one truth:
“Everything and everyone is ultimately subordinate to Lord Krishna.”
Garuda shows how a devotee becomes more powerful than anyone—even the demigods—when empowered by bhakti.
Garuda is the son of Vinata and Kashyapa Muni, and lives on the planet known as Salmalidvipa where he is constantly offering prayers to Lord Vishnu.
garudo bhagavan stotra-stobhash chandomayah prabhuh
rakshatv ashesha-kricchrebhyo vishvaksenah sva-namabhihLord Garuda, the carrier of Lord Vishnu, is the most worshipable lord, for he is as powerful as the Supreme Lord Himself. He is the personified Vedas and is worshiped by selected verses. May he protect us from all dangerous conditions, and may Lord Vishwaksena, the Personality of Godhead, also protect us from all dangers by His holy names.
(SB 6.8.29)
Garuda Mantra
om astasri shabdaaya niravisaya vinayoga visham
bhaksanam bhaksanam caiva gam garudaya pakshiraajendraaya
shikshikha raaya visnu vaahaanaaya he garudaaya eshe eshe
om hraam hrim shrim om phat svaahaa
In the Vedic literature, it is stated that the two wings of the transcendental bird Garuda are two divisions of the Sama Veda known as brihat and rathantara. When Garuda flaps his wings, one can hear the chanting of the hymns from Sama Veda. Garuda is engaged in eternal service to Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha. Every temple of Lord Vishnu has a Deity of Sri Garuda sitting in front of the Lord with folded hands.
Garuda is also known by the names:
Pakshiraja, Vainateya, Suparna, Garuthman, Periya Tiruvadi, Vinatasuta, Vishnuvahana, Nagantaka, and Kashyapeya.
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The Nagas, including Ananta Shesha, show how even the most potent beings can serve the Lord by holding up the universes or becoming His bed.
Even the envious Kaliya, who tried to poison the Yamuna and harm others, was not destroyed but purified by Krishna’s lotus feet. This gives hope to all conditioned souls.
Anantasesa Mantra
anantam vasukim sesam padmanabham ca kambalam
sankhapalam dhritarestram
taksakam kaliyam tatha
tani nava namani
naganam ca mahatmanah sayankale patenityam
pratah kale vishesatah
namaste anantāya sahasra-śīrṣṇe sahasra-pādākṣi-śiro-mukhāya
sahasra-bāho mahatīṁ bale tvaṁ sthito jagatsu khara-rūpam-artham
Om Anantāya Namaḥ
Final Reflection
In ISKCON and the Gaudiya tradition, we honor both days by meditating on their connection to Krishna’s pastimes, understanding how even enemies become purified in His presence, and taking inspiration to become humble servants like Garuda.
Let us pray:
“May we serve the Lord with the loyalty of Garuda and receive His mercy like Kaliya—even with our many faults.”