Garuda is a bird-like divine being best known as a protector figure capable of traveling anywhere with incredible speed. In Buddhist imagery, he's frequently depicted listening to the Buddha's teachings, which speaks to his role as a guardian open to wisdom. What's interesting about Garuda is how he blends animal and divine traits—he's not quite one or the other, occupying a unique space in the spiritual hierarchy. Despite his impressive powers, he ranks among the lower-tier devas, which fans often note as a fitting detail that keeps him grounded despite his incredible abilities.
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