Garuda Vanquishing the Naga Clan

This sculpture shows Garuda, the mighty king of birds, overpowering a clan of naga. In the Mahabharata, the nagas trick and enslave the mother of the birds, creating an eternal enmity between the serpents and her son Garuda. Ancient stories describe him as a divine bird of immense size who feeds on giant serpents and attacks whole naga communities, which is reflected here as he grips a hooded cobra in his beak while subduing others with his talons.

Garuda's immense strength and supernatural nature link him to a wider family of colossal mythical birds, including the Near Eastern Rukh, the Persian Simurgh, the Arabian Anqa, and the Chinese Peng. All share extraordinary longevity, magical qualities, and a "king of birds" status, suggesting a long-standing tradition of phoenix-like beings across cultures.