When the question of an emblem for the Guards Brigade came up for decision in 1949, General Cariappa accepted the recommendation of the senior officers of the Guards that the Garuda with spread wings in standing posture be accepted as the Brigade’s emblem.  This emblem is similar to that of the French Army under Napoleon which had the eagle with spread wings as the Great Seal of State.

To  General   Cariappa  and   the  senior officers of the Guards, such as Lt Cols Bireshwar Nath and NC Rawlley the considerations were not only the elegance, strength, courage, and vitality of the great bird, but most important, the reverence with which it is held by the people of India to whom an eagle is not a mere bird, but the Garuda is sacred because of his close association with Lord Vishnu.  The preserver rode the Garuda every time he left his heavenly abode and entrusted him with his invincible flag.