॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Tuesday, 31 January 2023 VIII.02 - After describing the heavenly scene of the inestimable beauty of nature in all her splendour around Trikuta mountain, Vyasa tells how Gajendra with his herd in tow sports in the lake only to be caught by a crocodile from whom he cannot release himself.
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In the midst of the Milky Ocean, there is a very high and beautiful mountain known as Trikuta. In the valley by its side is a heavenly garden called Ritumat (means all-seasonal splendour) constructed by Lord Varuna himself. There is a wonderful lake in the middle, surrounded by the best of fauna and flora and sporting all kinds of water plants and flowers.
Once the tusker king of elephants, along with his companions, went to enjoy bathing in that lake. Their sport disturbed the inhabitants of the water. Because of this, the chief crocodile in that water, who was very powerful, immediately attacked and caught hold of the king elephant’s leg. Then there ensued a great fight between the elephant and the crocodile. This fight continued for very long. Neither the elephant nor the crocodile died, but since they were in the water, the elephant gradually became weak whereas the power of the crocodile increased more and more. Thus the crocodile became more and more encouraged. Then the elephant, being helpless and seeing that there was no other way for his protection, sought shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord.
तस्य द्रोण्यां भगवतो वरुणस्य महात्मन: । उद्यानमृतुमन्नाम आक्रीडं सुरयोषिताम् ॥
सर्वतोऽलङ्कृतं दिव्यैर्नित्यपुष्पफलद्रुमै: । मन्दारै: पारिजातैश्च पाटलाशोकचम्पकै: ॥
चूतै: पियालै: पनसैराम्रैराम्रातकैरपि । क्रमुकैर्नारिकेलैश्च खर्जूरैर्बीजपूरकै: ॥
T: In that heavenly valley, a garden had been created by Lord Varuna himself, called Ritumat, for the sporting pastimes of celestials. It was delightfully beautiful with flowers that bloomed in all seasons, including Mandara, Parijata, Rose, Ashoka, Champak, Jasmine, and so on, as well as trees laden with Mango, Jackfruit, Coconut, Date Palm, Jamoon, and many other luscious fruits.
The poet goes on to paint a detailed picture of that idyllic garden in a heavenly valley.
तस्मिन्सर: सुविपुलं लसत्काञ्चनपङ्कजम् | कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारशतपत्रश्रियोर्जितम् ॥
मल्लिकाशतपत्रैश्च माधवीजालकादिभि: । शोभितं तीरजैश्चान्यैर्नित्यर्तुभिरलं द्रुमै: ॥
T: In the middle of that garden was a large lake, filled with golden lotuses, lilies and other water plants, over which swarmed happy honey bees. Swans, waterfowl, Chakravaka song birds and so on constantly sang in great joy. Imagine that lake surrounded by all those flowering and fruit-laden trees, too!
तत्रैकदा तद्गिरिकाननाश्रय: करेणुभिर्वारणयूथपश्चरन् ।
सकण्टकं कीचकवेणुवेत्रवद्वि शालगुल्मं प्ररुजन्वनस्पतीन् ॥
यद्गन्धमात्राद्धरयो गजेन्द्रा व्याघ्रादयो व्यालमृगा: सखड्गा: ।
महोरगाश्चापि भयाद्द्रवन्ति सगौरकृष्णा: सरभाश्चमर्य: ॥
T: In the vicinity roamed a king tusker Gajendra. He was totally carefree and majestic in sports there. He was surrounded by doting females. He was reckless as he uprooted bushes, thorn trees and everything else in his path. He demolished bamboo groves as he feasted on all the fare. The very scent of Gajendra and his herd was enough to drive all the animals from tiger to bears and deer far and wide running to hide in safety. Even giant snakes were afraid of his trampling. No wild animal felt safe.
तं तत्र कश्चिन्नृप दैवचोदितो ग्राहो बलीयांश्चरणे रुषाग्रहीत् ।
यदृच्छयैवं व्यसनं गतो गजो यथाबलं सोऽतिबलो विचक्रमे ॥
T: As if ordained by Destiny, a crocodile, who was himself kingly, came and caught hold of Gajendra's foot in his deadly jaws. Suddenly, Gajendra was most distressed, and despite all his might, he could not fight off the crocodile and free himself from his vicious jaws. The female elephants rushed and tried their best to free their lord. Despite a long struggle, they were unable to free him.
इत्थं गजेन्द्र: स यदाप सङ्कटं प्राणस्य देही विवशो यदृच्छया ।
अपारयन्नात्मविमोक्षणे चिरं दध्याविमां बुद्धिमथाभ्यपद्यत ॥
न मामिमे ज्ञातय आतुरं गजा: कुत: करिण्य: प्रभवन्ति मोचितुम् ।
ग्राहेण पाशेन विधातुरावृतोऽप्यहं च तं यामि परं परायणम् ॥
य: कश्चनेशो बलिनोऽन्तकोरगात्प्र चण्डवेगादभिधावतो भृशम् ।
भीतं प्रपन्नं परिपाति यद्भयान्मृत्यु: प्रधावत्यरणं तमीमहि ॥
T: Thus, after a very long and unsuccessful struggle, Gajendra realised his life was at stake. He felt totally helpless despite his vaunted strength. His interminable struggles simply exhausted him. He started thinking deeply. "This crocodile seems a messenger of Death! All my herd of strong males and females have failed to release me. Death is swallowing me like a giant serpent. My only recourse now is a prayer to the Lord! He alone is the one who will infallibly rescue the devotee. Even Kala or Time or Death runs away in fear of the Lord! I shall surrender to Bhagavan completely!
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
