The Story Of Gajendra Moksha

The story of Gajendra Moksha is very divine. This story is described in the eighth wing of Srimad Bhagwat Mahapurana. After hearing the stories of many incarnations of Lord Vishnu, King Prikshit asked Sage Shukdev, "I have heard the stories of the different incarnation of Lord Vishnu, so now you tell me the most divine story of Gajendra Moksha. By hearing it, a person gets freed from all sins.

Sage Shukdev preaching Prikshit

The Legend Of Gajendra Moksha By Shukdev

Sage Shukdev started telling the legend happily to Prikshit. He started," in ancient time, there was a mountain named Trikuta in the Sheer Sea. Natural beauty was scattered on that mountain. A variety of birds used to chirp on that mountain. The mountain was always covered with trees, flowers and fruits. There was a garden in the middle of that mountain. There was a lake in the garden, on which the golden lotus flowers were blooming.

Natural beauty

The Elephant's getting trapped In Lake

That lake was full of Crocodiles. An Elephant lived with his family near the garden. He was the head of the elephants' troop and used to lead the herd. Once he was extremely sick with thirst and was looking for a reservoir.

By the smell of lotus flowers in the air, he reached near the lake. He drank water from the lake. After drinking water, he began to play in the lake and started releasing the water from his trunk.

An Elephant enjoying

He was in danger, a huge Crocodile in the lake grabbed his leg and dragged him under the water. That Elephant tried to redeem himself from him but the huge Crocodile was very powerful. Even after several attempts that Elephant could not redeem himself from Crocodile.

Praise Of Lord Vishnu By An Elephant

Slowly and gradually that huge Crocodile began to take the Elephant underwater. The Elephant was unable to protect himself. At that time, he got the memory of his former birth. The Elephant praised Lord Vishnu by heart. The Elephant removed the fear of death from his mind and began to praise Lord Narayan.

Crocodile dragging the Elephant into water

The Elephant said, "Lord, you are the root cause of this world and reside in the heart of all the lives of this world, So I greet you.

Lord, no one can know your true nature. You come In many forms to protect your devotees. Who can know your scales? I am in your shelter, please save me.

Despite being formless, you reside in the heart of the devotees in a corporeal form. I bow to you. O Lord, you are Incorporeal, Omnipresent, Universal, Unborn, and Eternal. Without your will, even a leaf cannot move.

The huge Crocodile dragging me under the water has appeared only to break my ego by your will. O Lord, I am in your shelter. O Lord please protect me and forgive me for my crimes.

Lord, you must protect the refugees who have come to your shelter, then why are you delaying? Save me from the trap of death. Please forgive me for my crimes and protect me.

Those who are always immersed in the enjoyment of luxury under the senses, cannot easily attain you. It is probably my crime that I have always been neglecting you. So I am in this condition today.

An Elephant in trouble

Lord, in this moment of death, you have generated the desire to remember you in my mind. Even the great Sages, Hermits and Yogis cannot know your origin. I am an animal and due to my small wisdom, I do not even know your true nature and true form.

Whatever your appearance is, please give me a vision of that form and protect me. I only know that you are almighty and I am in your shelter. So please protect me."

Appearance Of Lord Vishnu To Protect the Elephant

After hearing the intense voice of an Elephant by heart, Lord Vishnu appeared there on Garuda. Trapped in the loop of death, the Elephant picked up a lotus flower from his trunk and paid it to Lord Vishnu. The compassionate Lord Vishnu immediately slaughtered that huge Crocodile from Sudarshan Chakra and freed that Elephant.

The appearance of Lord Vishnu

Story Of The Pre-Birth Of Crocodile And The Elephant

After narrating the whole story, Sage Shukdev said, "now I tell you the story of the former birth of an Elephant and a Crocodile.

The Crocodile was the Gandharva of heaven by the name of Huhu in his previous birth. Due to the curse of Sage Agastya, he had received the birth of a Crocodile. It was only to free him from that curse, Lord Vishnu had created the incident. When Lord Vishnu slaughtered him, at the same moment he took divine form and went to heaven.

On the other hand, The Elephant was a king, named Indradyumna, in his previous birth. He had great respect for his subjects. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He relinquished his kingdom and went to the forest to worship Lord Vishnu. When Sage Agastya commanded him to take the charge of his kingdom again, he refused him.

Sage Agastya cursed him and said that you are going to wander in the forest like a mad Elephant. You will be an Elephant in your next birth.

It was due to the curse of Sage Agastya, the king had received the birth of an Elephant. Because of worshipping Lord in his previous birth, an Elephant could worship Lord Vishnu at the time of his death.

Lord Vishnu is liberating Crocodile and Elephant

Lord Vishnu freed him from the life of an Elephant and made him his counsellor. Thereafter, Lord Vishnu went to Vishnu folk with his subtle body.

Sage Shukdev spoke, "O Prikshit, the story of Lord Vishnu and the salvation of an Elephant is so divine and going to destroy all sins. Lord Vishnu himself has declared that People who listen to this story at the dawn get rid of all sins and finally attain salvation."