The Garudas were the elite bodyguards of kings and queens. They were known as lenkas (heroes) or jolavalis (indebted to the king for food) and velavalis (those who stood by the king at all times). They served the king the way the mythical eagle Garuda served Lord Vishnu and committed suicide upon the demise of their master. Hero stones (virgal) erected in memory of such heroes are called Garuda pillars. The Garuda pillar at the Hoysaleswara temple in Halebidu depicts heroes brandishing knives and others cutting their own heads. Kuvara Lakshma, a minister and bodyguard of king Veera Ballala II took his own life and that of his wife and other bodyguards upon the death of his master. The details of his loyalty are etched on this inscription (Shasana).