Naama 912-945: Gajendra Moksham, the rescue of the elephant king

912. śabdasahaḥ · शब्दसहः

The one who bears, as a great burden, the cry of distress of His devotees, even when it is faint and indistinct.

(oṃ) śabdasahāya namaḥ

With this naama begins the episode of the rescue of Gajendra, the king of elephants, which Sri Bhattar sees in the naamas from 912 to 945. Gajendra was enjoying himself in a lake when a powerful crocodile seized his leg. For a thousand years he struggled, until his strength failed and his family deserted him. In his helplessness, he lifted a lotus flower with his trunk and called out to the Lord, "Adimoolame!" (O Primordial Cause!). The Lord, hearing this cry, which was hardly audible, treated it as a great burden that He had to bear at once.

913. śiśiraḥ · शिशिरः

The one who rushed to the rescue of His devotee.

(oṃ) śiśirāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes, "On hearing the cry, the Lord who holds the discus and the mace came at once and stood at the edge of the lake." So great was His haste that He did not even wait to wear His ornaments properly or to inform Thaayaar. He leapt onto Garuda and, finding even Garuda too slow, carried Garuda along with Him.

914. śarvarīkaraḥ · शर्वरीकरः

The one who held in His hands the five destructive weapons when He came to help Gajendra.

(oṃ) śarvarīkarāya namaḥ

अक्रूरः पेशलो दक्षो दक्षिणः क्षमिणां वरः ।

विद्वत्तमो वीतभयः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः ॥ ९८ ॥

akrūraḥ pēśalō dakṣō dakṣiṇaḥ kṣamiṇāṃ varaḥ |

vidvattamō vītabhayaḥ puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanaḥ || 98 ||

915. akrūraḥ · अक्रूरः

The one who was not cruel, even while rescuing Gajendra.

(oṃ) akrūrāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes, "Madhusudana, the Lord of inscrutable nature, quickly lifted out of the lake not only the elephant that had been seized by the crocodile, but the crocodile also" (grāhagrastaṃ gajēndraṃ ca taṃ grāhaṃ ca jalāśayāt | ujjahārāpramēyātmā tarasā madhusūdanaḥ ||). Even the crocodile, which had caused the suffering, was lifted out of the water by the Lord.

916. pēśalaḥ · पेशलः

The one who looked utterly charming at the time of rescuing Gajendra, even with all His ornaments in disarray because of His haste.

(oṃ) pēśalāya namaḥ

Our Acharyas enjoy the sight of the Lord arriving with His crown askew, His garland disturbed, and His garment slipping, because He rushed so quickly to save His devotee. His beauty was, if anything, even greater at that moment.

917. dakṣaḥ · दक्षः

The one who had the skill and the power to arrive at the scene of Gajendra's suffering very fast.

(oṃ) dakṣāya namaḥ

When this naama occurred earlier as the 424th naama, it referred to the Lord in His Kalki incarnation, who will quickly destroy the wicked.

918. dakṣiṇaḥ · दक्षिणः

The one who was courteous and compassionate towards Gajendra.

(oṃ) dakṣiṇāya namaḥ

Even though the Lord came as soon as Gajendra called for help, He expressed regret that He had not been nearer and consoled Gajendra with kind words: "Fie upon Me, that I was so far away from you!" (dhiṅ māṃ dūragatō'haṃ tvām). Sri Bhattar quotes the Vishnu Dharma: "The lotus-eyed Madhusudana, who is affectionate towards those who surrender to Him, showed His love sweetly to Gajendra, the king of elephants who worshipped Him."

919. kṣamiṇāṃ varaḥ · क्षमिणां वरः

The foremost among those who bear the burden of protecting their devotees.

(oṃ) kṣamiṇāṃ varāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes, "Only after seeing Gajendra safe did He feel relieved; the Lord of all the devas stood as though He Himself had been revived." It is the seriousness with which the Lord takes His commitment to protect His devotees, and His anxiety at even the slightest delay, that Sri Bhattar enjoys in this naama.

920. vidvattamaḥ · विद्वत्तमः

The one who knew precisely what would give Gajendra the greatest comfort.

(oṃ) vidvattamāya namaḥ

The Lord knows exactly how to remedy each of His devotees' problems. Sri Bhattar's commentary on this episode shows the extreme concern the Lord has for His devotees at every step, something that can only be felt and not fully described in words.

921. vītabhayaḥ · वीतभयः

The one by whose arrival all of Gajendra's fear vanished.

(oṃ) vītabhayāya namaḥ

Seeing the ardent zeal with which the Lord came to his help, Gajendra's fear disappeared at once (tatsamāgama tumulōpalambhāt vītaṃ bhayaṃ gajēndrasya).

922. puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanaḥ · पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः

The one by hearing or narrating whose rescue of Gajendra, we become purified.

(oṃ) puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Vishnu Dharma, which says that those who hear this story or recite it are purified of their sins. This is why the Gajendra Moksham is recited every day by many devotees.

उत्तारणो दुष्कृतिहा पुण्यो दुःस्वप्ननाशनः ।

वीरहा रक्षणः सन्तो जीवनः पर्यवस्थितः ॥ ९९ ॥

uttāraṇō duṣkṛtihā puṇyō duḥsvapnanāśanaḥ |

vīrahā rakṣaṇaḥ santō jīvanaḥ paryavasthitaḥ || 99 ||

923. uttāraṇaḥ · उत्तारणः

The one who lifted both the elephant and the crocodile out of the waters of the lake.

(oṃ) uttāraṇāya namaḥ

In the same way, the Lord lifts His devotees out of the ocean of samsara, in which they are caught by the crocodile of karma.

924. duṣkṛtihā · दुष्कृतिहा

The one who killed the crocodile that had seized the leg of His devotee, who was engaged in His service.

(oṃ) duṣkṛtighnē namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Vishnu Dharma: "Standing on the shore, Madhava tore apart the crocodile with His discus" (sthalasthaṃ dārayāmāsa grāhaṃ cakrēṇa mādhavaḥ). It is said that Gajendra had been gathering lotuses to offer to the Lord when he was seized. Harming a devotee who is serving the Lord is the gravest of offences.

925. puṇyaḥ · पुण्यः

The one by the mere contemplation of whose glory, in helping His devotees, we become pure.

(oṃ) puṇyāya namaḥ

This naama occurred earlier as the 692nd naama, where it meant the one who purifies even the worst of sinners and makes them fit to praise Him.

926. duḥsvapnanāśanaḥ · दुःस्वप्ननाशनः

The one who removes bad dreams from those who hear the story of the rescue of Gajendra.

(oṃ) duḥsvapnanāśanāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the phala shruti of this episode from the Vishnu Dharma, where the Lord says, "Those people who, with a pure and steady mind, remember Me, you, this lake, and the release from the crocodile, their bad dreams will be destroyed and they will have good dreams."

927. vīrahā · वीरहा

The one who destroyed the powerful bonds that tied Gajendra to death.

(oṃ) vīraghnē namaḥ

This is the third occurrence of this naama. As the 168th naama, it meant the one who destroys the evils that obstruct meditation; as the 747th naama, the one who destroyed Putana and the other asuras who came to kill the child Krishna; and here, the one who released Gajendra from the jaws of death.

928. rakṣaṇaḥ · रक्षणः

The one who saved the elephant by touching it, embracing it, and speaking words of consolation to it.

(oṃ) rakṣaṇāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Vishnu Dharma: "Having said this, O King, Madhusudana touched the elephant with His hand." The touch of the Lord's hand removed all of Gajendra's pain and exhaustion.

929. santaḥ · सन्तः

The one who makes those who have sought refuge in Him prosper and rejoice in thoughts of Him.

(oṃ) santāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar also gives another meaning, "the one who exists for His devotees" (tēṣām asti iti santaḥ).

930. jīvanaḥ · जीवनः

The one who gave life back even to the crocodile, restoring it to its original form as a gandharva.

(oṃ) jīvanāya namaḥ

Even though the Lord slew the crocodile for its offence, its death at His hands released it from a curse. Sri Bhattar quotes the Vishnu Dharma: "Huhu, the foremost of the gandharvas, had become a crocodile by the curse of Sage Devala. Having been killed by Krishna, he went to heaven." In the Bhagavatam, Gajendra himself had been King Indradyumna, who had been cursed by Sage Agastya; he too was released and attained the Lord.

931. paryavasthitaḥ · पर्यवस्थितः

The one who, out of His affection, stood closely around Gajendra and stayed by his side.

(oṃ) paryavasthitāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar's words are "vātsalyāt gajēndraṃ paritaḥ avasthitaḥ", "out of love, He stood all around Gajendra." Just as a mother stays by the side of her child after it has been frightened, the Lord stayed close to His devotee, soothing him.

अनन्तरूपोऽनन्तश्रीर्जितमन्युर्भयापहः ।

चतुरश्रो गभीरात्मा विदिशो व्यादिशो दिशः ॥ १०० ॥

anantarūpō’nantaśrīrjitamanyurbhayāpahaḥ |

caturasrō gabhīrātmā vidiśō vyādiśō diśaḥ || 100 ||

932. anantarūpaḥ · अनन्तरूपः

The one who, of His own will, assumes countless forms straight away, as the occasion arises and as the need demands.

(oṃ) anantarūpāya namaḥ

When Gajendra called, the Lord did not need any time to prepare; He took the form needed at that very moment. In the same way, whenever and wherever His devotees need Him, He appears in a suitable form.

933. anantaśrīḥ · अनन्तश्रीः

The one who has countless riches to give to His devotees, including the enjoyment of Himself in full.

(oṃ) anantaśriyē namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Vishnu Dharma: "Then, taking on a divine body, the king of elephants went to the Supreme Abode." Both His glory in this world (līlā vibhūti) and His glory in Sri Vaikuntham (nitya vibhūti) exist only for the benefit of His devotees.

934. jitamanyuḥ · जितमन्युः

The one who conquered His anger.

(oṃ) jitamanyavē namaḥ

The crocodile, which Sri Bhattar calls "a worm in the water" (jalakīṭam), was causing pain to the Lord's devotee who had surrendered to Him. Yet the Lord controlled His anger and calmly did what was needed to relieve Gajendra.

935. bhayāpahaḥ · भयापहः

The one who, out of His love for His devotees, can be relied upon to remove even our fear of having no protector.

(oṃ) bhayāpahāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes, "Janardana always protects those who are drowned in great fear" (bhayē mahati magnāṃśca trāti nityaṃ janārdanaḥ). If the Lord could rescue an elephant, how much more will He rescue us who call upon Him?

936. caturasraḥ · चतुरस्रः

The one who is skilled in every way.

(oṃ) caturasrāya namaḥ

The word caturasra literally means a perfect square, something complete and balanced on all sides. The Lord is perfect in every respect, and His actions are always fair and appropriate.

937. gabhīrātmā · गभीरात्मा

The one whose nature is so deep and profound that it is beyond the understanding even of Brahma and the other devas.

(oṃ) gabhīrātmanē namaḥ

938. vidiśaḥ · विदिशः

The one who is far above everything and beyond the reach of the words of His devotees, which falter with humility and emotion as they praise Him.

(oṃ) vidiśāya namaḥ

939. vyādiśaḥ · व्यादिशः

The one who establishes Brahma, Rudra, and the other devas in their respective positions, as they desire.

(oṃ) vyādiśāya namaḥ

940. diśaḥ · दिशः

The one who commands the devas and controls them in their functions.

(oṃ) diśāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar notes the difference in the Lord's treatment. Devotees like Gajendra are treated with great intimacy, as His own, while the devas like Brahma and Rudra are given positions and commanded in their duties (na tān gajēndravat antaraṅgīkarōti, kiṃ tu ājñāpayati).

अनादिर्भूर्भुवो लक्ष्मीः सुवीरो रुचिराङ्गदः ।

जननो जनजन्मादिः भीमो भीमपराक्रमः ॥ १०१ ॥

anādirbhūrbhuvō lakṣmīḥ suvīrō rucirāṅgadaḥ |

jananō janajanmādiḥ bhīmō bhīmaparākramaḥ || 101 ||

941. anādiḥ · अनादिः

The one who is not accepted as their master by those who are devoted to other things.

(oṃ) anādayē namaḥ

Sri Bhattar comments that the Lord surrenders Himself completely even to animals like Gajendra who are devoted to Him, but to the likes of Brahma, who seek other things, He gives only the smaller fruits they ask for.

942. bhūrbhuvaḥ · भूर्भुवः

The one who is the support (bhuvaḥ) of those who truly live (bhūḥ), namely those who have the correct knowledge that they are the servants of the Lord and that He is their master.

(oṃ) bhūrbhuvāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar explains that a person truly "lives" only when they realise their true nature as the servant of the Lord. Such a person has gained their own self (ātmalābha).

943. lakṣmīḥ · लक्ष्मीः

The one who is Himself all the wealth of His devotees.

(oṃ) lakṣmyai namaḥ

Sri Bhattar gives examples from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Vibhishana says to Rama, "My kingdom, my life, and my happiness are all in You" (bhavadgataṃ ca mē rājyaṃ jīvitaṃ ca sukhāni ca). In the Drona Parva, it is said, "The Pandavas have Krishna as their refuge, Krishna as their strength, and Krishna as their protector. Krishna is their final goal, as the moon is for the stars."

944. suvīraḥ · सुवीरः

The one who is valorous in saving His devotees from a downfall, and in lifting up those who have already fallen.

(oṃ) suvīrāya namaḥ

945. rucirāṅgadaḥ · रुचिराङ्गदः

The one who gives His devotees His very lovely form, which is fit to be enjoyed by them.

(oṃ) rucirāṅgadāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Jitante Stotram: "Your form is not for Yourself, nor Your shape, nor Your weapons, nor Your abode. Still, You reveal Yourself in the form of a Purusha for the sake of Your devotees" (na tē rūpaṃ na cākārō nāyudhāni na cāspadam | tathāpi puruṣākārō bhaktānāṃ tvaṃ prakāśasē ||). With this naama, Sri Bhattar concludes the Gajendra Moksham episode.