RE: [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Gajendra Moksha

[Guest guest]

!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

 

Very interesting note & so much to learn.

Thanks Indu.

Adding to your comments, 'Gajendra' represents the might & pride of human mind that 'I am all-potent & I can over power all obstacles alone'.

In the story, we observe that when all the physical powers of this great creature starts diminishing, the sorrow & frustrated mind triggers to an elevation of realization abt the almighty. He then remembers his sole protecter - Narayana. The near death feeling consumes all his pride & strength. No choice left than to give up. Well known Krishna-devotee Srimati Prema Pandurang gives a very gud description abt this event as 'Gajendra shakti pareekshanam' & 'Gajendra Atma darshanam'.

 

She adds, the physical powers of Gajendra is the replica of power of Narayana himself with the only difference that Gajendra always failed to demonstrate that power for his Lord Narayana (the resider in everyone's heart). She asks "Aren't we all Gajendra ?" The tug of war begins. Mighty Gajendra is well confident abt his victory over the hiding crocodile in water & therefore he waves his head to other elephants that not to interfere in this combat. The very feeling of his might overshadows his rememberance of Lord, even. But never the Lord turns his face of his devotee. He is just waiting for a call. Till now, Gajendra & Crocodile are non-different to Sriman Narayana as his power vests in both & here we will see Lord as 'Jagat sakshi' & 'Sarvadhaara Jagatprabu' - that he is the basis for all & hence protects Gajendra as well the hidden crocodile with same energy.

 

Then where comes the difference ! Why do we say that Gajendra was liberated & Crocodile was killed ?

Actually, both are liberated ... But for us it's Gajendra who is more important becoz he cud realize that it's Narayana who is all protector (before his death).

Are we equally eligible or fortunate enough to remember Narayana before leaving this mortal body .... Not all are Ajamila or Gajendra !

 

Hence, there is continuous requirement to remember Lord (especially through his name) in this kaliyuga. We all are in the phase of 'Gajendra shakti pareekshanam pratikshanam (every minute)'. We have a long way to travel & acquire the state of 'Gajendra Atmadarshanam'. Then & then only we're eligible for liberation.

 

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama

 

 

 

 

 

guruvayur [guruvayur ]On Behalf Of InduSaturday, December 17, 2005 7:47 PMguruvayur Subject: [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Gajendra Moksha

 

 

 

Gajendra was the King of elephants.

One hot day, he proceeded to the lake with his family to cool off in its fresh waters.

But from within the lake a crocodile appeared who attacked him and would not let go of him.

When the family and relatives saw 'death' coming close to Gajendra, and everyone realised that everything was lost, they left Gajendra alone.

 

 

The symbolism is:

 

 

Man is Gajendra

 

 

The world, is the lake where he plays the game of life with family and others.

!

 

The crocodile is 'Death and Difficulties' which attaack man.

 

The Lesson:

 

 

 

 

 

Neither family nor friend can liberate one from the clutch of death.

 

 

 

God answers your prayers.

 

 

It is said that 'Nirbal key bal Ram'

 

 

Which means that God is the Strength of the Weak!

 

 

A lot of us make preparations for a journey from which one is meant to return; yet we make none for death!

Most of us cry out to God when caught in hopeless situation.

 

And that is what Gajendra did!

 

 

Gajendra prayed:

 

'Please help me O Lord! Save me from the clutches of Death!

How can an ordinary mortal recognize You, when great sages find it hard to achieve You? You are all merciful.

Take me to a place where there is no fear and death!

I am not asking you to save me from the clutch of the crocodile, or that I should survive this attack! I am aware that I not only have a body of an elephant but also a fat mind of an elephant! What is the use of keeping this life? I want to be liberated from my Ignorant Mind which hides the resplen! dent soul! I can only be saved by Your Grace!

 

 

The Lord rushed to Gajendra's aid. The latter offered the Lord a lotus flower.

God attacked the crocodile and saved His Loved One.

 

 

Gajendra, in his previous life was a great devotee called Indradyumna who was also a great king. One day, Agastya, a great sage came to visit the king. Indradyumna did not receive the Sage with the respect that the latter expected. The enrage! d Agastya cursed the king to become an elephant in his next birth, as he sat heavy on his seat and did not rise to greet him.

The crocodile in its last life was a king called HuHu in the Gandharva planet. Once while enjoying himself in the waters, he pulled the leg of a sage. The enraged sage cursed the king to become a crocodile in his next life. The repentant HuHu asked for pardon. The Sage proclaimed that though he could not retrieve the curse, the crocodile would be liberated from the cycle of birth and death when Gajendra would be saved by the Lord God Himself.

Those readers who have been with me so far will wonder why I quoted the lines from the Geeta at the beginning of this note.

Well, those lines, as well as the story of Gajendra state that:

The Lord is close to those who call out to Him in full faith.

It does not matter if you have the body or intellect of an animal, all you require is a loving heart and the conviction that God is closer than we can possibly believe!

 

It is said that if one recites the Gajendra Prayer, one achieves liberation and freedom from frightening dreams!

 

 

Gajendra Moksha Stuti (Prayer)

 

AUM NAMO BHAGAWATE TASMAY YAT ETCCHIDATMAKAM

PURUSHAAYAA DIBIJAAY PARESHAAYAABHI DHEEMAHEE

YASMINNIDUM YETASCCHEDUM YENEDUM EEDUM SWAYAM

YOSMAAT PARASMAASCH PARAH TUMPRAPADYE SWAYAMBHOOWAM

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Indu, Super-excellent co-relation. Thank you so much for this. You have explained it so nicely. Looking forward to more such gems from you. Om Namo Narayanaya Anant "PS, Vinod K (GE Infra, Energy)" <vinod.ps wrote: !! Sri Rama Jayam !! Very interesting note & so much to learn. Thanks Indu. Adding to your comments, 'Gajendra' represents the might & pride of human mind that 'I am all-potent & I can over power all obstacles alone'. In the story, we observe that when all the physical powers of this great creature starts diminishing, the sorrow & frustrated mind triggers to an elevation of realization abt the almighty. He then remembers his sole protecter - Narayana. The near death feeling consumes all his pride & strength. No choice left than to give up. Well known Krishna-devotee Srimati Prema Pandurang gives a very gud description abt this event as 'Gajendra shakti pareekshanam' & 'Gajendra Atma darshanam'. She adds, the physical powers of Gajendra is the replica of power of Narayana himself with the only difference that Gajendra always failed to demonstrate that power for his Lord Narayana (the resider in everyone's heart). She asks "Aren't we all Gajendra ?" The tug of war begins. Mighty Gajendra is well confident abt his victory over the hiding crocodile in water & therefore he waves his head to other elephants that not to interfere in this combat. The very feeling of his might overshadows his rememberance of Lord, even. But never the Lord turns his face of his devotee. He is just waiting for a call. Till now, Gajendra & Crocodile are non-different to Sriman Narayana as his power vests in both & here we will see Lord as 'Jagat sakshi' & 'Sarvadhaara Jagatprabu' - that he is the basis for all & hence protects Gajendra as well the hidden crocodile with same energy. Then where comes the difference ! Why do we say that Gajendra was liberated & Crocodile was killed ? Actually, both are liberated ... But for us it's Gajendra who is more important becoz he cud realize that it's Narayana who is all protector (before his death). Are we equally eligible or fortunate enough to remember Narayana before leaving this mortal body .... Not all are Ajamila or Gajendra ! Hence, there is continuous requirement to

remember Lord (especially through his name) in this kaliyuga. We all are in the phase of 'Gajendra shakti pareekshanam pratikshanam (every minute)'. We have a long way to travel & acquire the state of 'Gajendra Atmadarshanam'. Then & then only we're eligible for liberation. Hare Krishna Hare Rama guruvayur [guruvayur ]On Behalf Of InduSaturday, December 17, 2005 7:47 PMguruvayur Subject: [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Gajendra Moksha Gajendra was the King of elephants. One hot day, he proceeded to the lake with his family to cool off in its fresh waters. But from within

the lake a crocodile appeared who attacked him and would not let go of him. When the family and relatives saw 'death' coming close to Gajendra, and everyone realised that everything was lost, they left Gajendra alone. The symbolism is: Man is

Gajendra The world, is the lake where he plays the game of life with family and others. ! The crocodile is 'Death and Difficulties' which attaack man. The Lesson: Neither family nor friend can liberate one from the clutch of death. God answers your prayers. It is said that 'Nirbal key bal Ram' Which means that God is the Strength of the Weak! A lot of us make preparations for a journey from which one is meant to return; yet we make none for death! Most of us cry out to God when caught in hopeless situation. And that is what Gajendra did! Gajendra prayed: 'Please help me O Lord! Save me from the clutches of Death! How can an ordinary mortal recognize You, when great sages find it hard to achieve You? You are all merciful. Take me to a place where there is no fear and death! I am not asking you to save me from the clutch of the crocodile, or that I should survive this attack! I am aware that I not only have a body of an elephant but also a fat mind of an elephant! What is the use of keeping this life? I want to be liberated from my Ignorant Mind which hides the resplen! dent soul! I can only be saved by Your Grace! The Lord rushed to Gajendra's aid. The

latter offered the Lord a lotus flower. God attacked the crocodile and saved His Loved One. Gajendra, in his previous life was a great devotee called Indradyumna who was also a great king. One day, Agastya, a great sage came to visit the king. Indradyumna did not receive the Sage with the respect that the latter expected. The enrage! d Agastya cursed the king to become an elephant in his next birth, as he sat heavy on his seat and did not rise to greet him. The crocodile in its last life was a king called HuHu in the Gandharva planet. Once while enjoying himself in the waters, he pulled the leg of a sage. The enraged sage cursed

the king to become a crocodile in his next life. The repentant HuHu asked for pardon. The Sage proclaimed that though he could not retrieve the curse, the crocodile would be liberated from the cycle of birth and death when Gajendra would be saved by the Lord God Himself. Those readers who have been with me so far will wonder why I quoted the lines from the Geeta at the beginning of this note. Well, those lines, as well as the story of Gajendra state that: The Lord is close to those who call out to Him in full faith. It does not matter if you have the body or intellect of an animal, all you require is a loving heart and the conviction that God is closer than we can possibly believe! It is said that if one recites the Gajendra Prayer, one achieves liberation and freedom from frightening dreams! Gajendra Moksha Stuti (Prayer) AUM NAMO BHAGAWATE TASMAY YAT ETCCHIDATMAKAM PURUSHAAYAA DIBIJAAY PARESHAAYAABHI DHEEMAHEE YASMINNIDUM YETASCCHEDUM YENEDUM EEDUM SWAYAM YOSMAAT PARASMAASCH PARAH TUMPRAPADYE SWAYAMBHOOWAM Send instant messages to your online friends http://in.messenger.