The Deliverance of the Elephant King Gajendra and the Crocodile

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The Deliverance of the Elephant King Gajendra and the Crocodile -Gopal Deshmukh The Setting of Gajendra Moksha Gajendra Moksha took place in a completely different and unnamed yuga. In the midst of the massive ocean of milk, there is a mountain called Trikuta. This mountain is not like any mountain we know or can relate to. It is 10 thousand yojanas wide and 10 thousand yojanas tall. It contains a garden built by Varuna called Rtumat. This garden contains a huge and beautiful lake in which Gajendra Moksha took place. Description of Trikuta Trikuta has 3 principal peaks, each is made of a lustrous element; gold, silver and iron. These gigantic peaks beautify and decorate the sky as jewelry might decorate a human. Each peak of this mountain is decorated by numerous trees, creepers, and plants whose shining green leaves resemble glowing emeralds in the sun. The sweet smell of honey and bloating fruits intoxicates the animals and the nectar drinking bees and creates an incredible and luxurious environment. Even the waterfall makes a very pleasant and relaxing sound whose vibration soothes the creatures who live there. The inhabitants of the higher planets (the Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, serpents, Kinnaras and Apsarās) go to that mountain to sport. Thus all the caves of the mountain are full of these beings of the heavenly planets. The beaches and lakes in Trikuta contain sand that is made of fine emeralds. Gajendra and his Family enter the Lake Gajendra made Trikūṭa Mountain tremble all around because of the weight of his body. He was perspiring, liquor dripped from his mouth, and his vision was overwhelmed by intoxication. He smelled lotuses and headed to the lake. He began to play in the water and spout water over his family in affection. By seeing him ferocious animals were struck dumb with terror and fled before his might. By the arrangement of fate, a strong crocodile was angry at the elephant and attacked the elephant’s leg in the water. The elephant was very strong, and he tried his best to get free from this danger. They fought for thousands of years but as the crocodile was in the water, his strength grew as Gajendra’s declined. Gajendra’s Crisis Realizing his hopeless situation, Gajendra turned to his family but they were helpless, they lay crying at the fate of their beloved Gajendra. Gajendra then turned to only person he knew could help. He started praying to the supreme lord. The prayers he then offered are some of the most exalted and respected offerings to the supreme lord ever spoken. The Arrival of the Lord Hearing the cries of his devotee in suffering, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared in his multi-armed form. After seeing the lord arrive, Gajendra ignored his pain and plucked a lotus flower from nearby and offered it to the lord. Lord Vishnu severed the head of the crocodile and thus delivered him. As for Gajendra, as soon as he touched the form of the lord, he achieved sarupya-mukti. He then transcended to Vaikuntha and associated with the lord. The Identities of Gajendra and the Crocodile Gajendra and the crocodile did not meet by just fate, in his past life, the crocodile was a celestial called Huhu, and Gajendra was the renounced King Indradyumna. For their misbehaviour they had been cursed by the great sages Devala Rsi and Agastya Rsi. Hare Krsna! Thank you all for tolerating me and listening to me, please pray for me that I can improve my speech and use it in the service of Guru and Gauranga! Hari Bol! -Your servant of the servant of the servant, Gopal.

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