Garuda, The divine bird who is the mount of god Vishnu. The king of the birds. Garuda waged a war against gods with his extraordinary might and abilities beyond thinking, and defeated all of them, including Indra. He then took Indra's nectar vessel and flew back to earth. Vishnu then came to Garuda, and asked him to be his ride, to which he agreed. He served the lord with his swiftness. Garuda represents birth and heaven.