Sri Seshadri’s power over birds

The below two stories illustrate the power over birds and nature exhibited by the great mahan, Sri Seshadri Swamigal. 

Calling out for Garuda Birds (Brahmini Kite):

“One one occasion the writer was given a send-off by Swamiji. It was 8 a.m. They were passing near Sadhu Chatram. Swamiji put his hands around the writer’s neck and stood for a while. In the distant sky it appeared as if a lone bird was flying. Pointing to that, Swamiji asked the writer, “Is that a Garuda?” The writer replied, “Yes, it looks like a Garuda.” At that time Swamiji made a gesture with his hands as if calling that bird. He bade farewell to the writer saying, “That bird will come, you can go.” 

Hardly had the writer walked on a few yards on the way to the railway station, when two Garuda birds flew very close to him, one on his left and another on his right. As Swamiji had said that the birds would come hundreds of Garuda birds flocked there. It was if the devotee’s journey should have a good augury. One could normally expect a few such birds like sparrows, crows. But hundreds of Garuda birds would not normally be seen. The confusion is irresistible that Swamiji had purposely called them in.” 

Beautiful Brahminy Kite

The Garuda bird in Hindu mythology is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Vishnu and in daily life is believed to be the Brahminy Kite. To find out more about the Brahminy Kite, go to this link here, and for in-depth information about Garuda mythology go to this link here. Incidentally the photograph at the top of this page is of the Brahminy Kite.

Calling various Birds:

“Venkatachala Mudaliar and his wife Subbalakshmi Ammal were earnest devotees of Swamiji. Quite often Swamiji used to visit them, take food in their house and talk to them in a jolly fashion. In the centre of their house there were two Poovarasa (Portia) trees and two drumstick trees. It was a new moon day. Swamiji dropped in a 4 p.m, and said, 'Subbalakshmi, come here, I will show you some fun.'

When she asked what he was going to show, Swamiji was looking into the sky through the open verandah and raised his hands calling out, “Come! Come!” Immediately one crow came, then another crow flew in, then five, then, fifty, hundred crows flew in; likewise a number of other species of birds like pigeons, parrots, various types of sparrows—yellow sparrows, black sparrows, etc., all flew in. 

They all crowded the whole place including the neighbouring house, sitting on the ground, on the roof, on the trees and started making a noise and jumping hither and thither and playing. Swamiji was standing in their midst and played with the birds. Subblalakshmi was watching the scene with curiosity. A few minutes elapsed when she told Swamiji: 'You have called the birds from somewhere and are playing with them like this! After all they will also feel hungry and thirsty. Will their young ones not feel anxious?' Swamiji asked, 'But should I ask them to go back?' Saying that, he took a strand from his shoulder cloth and blew it. Immediately all the birds departed.” 

Garuda Mythology

As mentioned in a previous posting, the Brahminy Kite is worshipped as a representation of Garuda (the sacred Eagle and mount of Lord Vishnu). To read about the mythology of Garuda and to watch a video animation of the origin of the Garuda, check out this link here.

Brahminy Kite

This bird (Tamil: Krishna Parunthu) is found at Tiruvannamalai, and there are several Brahminy Kite nests by Samudram Lake. Where the nests are known, the birds are worshipped as representative of Garuda (the sacred Eagle), but this bird is actually a Kite.

The Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) is also known as the Red Backed Sea Eagle and the Singapore Bald Eagle. It is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers.

Locals at Samudram coming to glimpse
their sacred bird

The bird hoping the visitors have
brought chicken bits

The Brahminy Kite has long broad rounded wings; short and rounded tail when fanned. Its head, neck and breast are white with rest of its body bright chestnut and primaries tipped black and feet yellow. In flight it exhibits slow, deep flapping and displays long, broadly angled wings.

Brahminy Kites are sedentary and do not migrate. They are more scavengers but also hunt for small prey (fish, crabs, shellfish, frogs, rodents, reptiles, even insects). They forage both over water and land, soaring 20-50m above the surface. Prey on the water surface is snatched with their talons but this bird doesn’t actually dive into water. This bird also scavenges from food scraps and garbage and flushes birds roosting on mudflats into flight to identify the weak. They are attracted to fires to catch fleeing animals. Their catch is eaten on the wing, to prevent theft. When several quarrel over a meal, they squeal.

Habitats best suited to Brahminy Kites are broad mudflat and freshwater wetlands such as rice fields and marshes and even in cultivated areas. The Brahminy Kite is a bird which prefers to be near water. It is especially common in coastal areas, by lakes or near large areas of rice fields. It is commonly found near human habitation and near rice fields it is the most common bird of prey.

Using his perch as a lookout

A Brahminy Kite with young

Beautiful

Brahminy Kites mate (November-December) on or near the nest which is generally located in tall trees. Although they do not share nesting trees, pairs may nest less than 100m apart. The nest is compact and made of twigs and sticks and often lined with dried mud. A first-time nest is usually thin, but as the pair reuse the site, the nest thickens. 2 eggs are laid, white with sparse red-brown blotches. Both parents raise the young.

The call of the Brahminy Kite is a thin mewing scream 'kweeaa' or 'kyeeer' usually while soaring. This bird which is very tolerant of humans, is an unfussy scavenger that can survive in a wide range of habitats. Although it is described as generally quiet, individuals which have been in constant or regular contact with humans tend to be noisier.

In flight

With feet pressed flat against its body

As the bird has a tendency to raid fish farms and steal chickens, it is sometimes regarded as a pest in other places in the world. In some S.E. Asia countries the bird, along with other types of Kite are hunted with the young taken for pets.

A juvenile Brahminy Kite

However in India the bird has great status due to its connection with Garuda. And its name i.e. Brahminy results from its association with the Indian God Vishnu.

A juvenile Brahminy Kite skimming
the water for food