Gajendra Moksham

Gajendra Moksha: Gajendras Prayers of Surrender to

Lord Vishnu
Gajendra Moksham mp3
Gajendra Moksham in pdf
The unpretentious village of Krishnapuram, near Kayamkulam, Kerala, is home to a stunning
mural depicting the pastimes of Lord Vishnu and the elephant Gajendra. In a small palace located
near the old Krishna temple .This beautifull mural is one of the largest mural panels in Kerala.
The palace was constructed during the reign of King Marthanda Varma.
The famous Gajendra Moksha mural in Krishnapuram, which measures fourteen feet by eleven
feet, memorializes the pastimes of Visnu and Gajendra. In the mural, Garudas wings are fanned
out in flight as he carries the Lord with great devotion. While Garudas eyes smoulder with rage
at the stubbornness of the crocodile, Vishnus countenance is filled with mercy and compassion
as he puts an end to the suffering of Gajendra, by killing his crocodile attacker.
Gajendra moksha (Sanskrit: ) is Puranic legend from Bhagavata Purana.
Lord Vishnu came down to earth to protect Gajendra(elephant) from the death clutches of
Makara (Crocodile).
In the midst of the ocean of milk, there is a very high and beautiful mountain that has an altitude
of ten thousand yojanas, or eighty thousand miles. This mountain is known as Trikuta. In a valley
of Trikuta there is a nice garden named Rtumat, which was constructed by Varuna, and in that
area there is a very nice lake.
Once a lordly elephant, leader of a herd, inhabiting that mountainous forest, roamed with his
retinue of female ones, breaking through trees, bamboo clusters and clumps of cane. By the mere
odour of animal, even lions and tigers not to talk of the elephants, hyenas, rhinos, pythons,
sarabhas, yaks, wolves, boars, bisons, bears, porcupines, baboons, jackals, monkeys, all ran away
in fear, while the weaker ones like the deer and the hares moved about joyously by the protective
presence of that very animal. (20-22).
Oppressed by the heat of summer, dripping ichor and swarmed by bees settled on it for its sheer
taste, tormented by thirst, accompanied by the whole herd of bull and female elephants and the
young ones, almost causing tremors in the mountain by their weight, he smelt from afar the lotus
pollen-filled breeze on the lake, and with eyes tremulous in a state of rut, speedily approached
the vicinity of the lake. (23-24). Plunging into it, he drank to his hearts content the immaculate,
sweet ambrosial water, flavoured by the pollen of the golden lotuses, lilies, sucking it with his
trunk and freely showering on himself, and with his fatigue gone, equally offering mouthfuls and

a liberal sprinkle of bath to his retinue of cubs and female elephants like a loving householder,
unaware in his self importance of impending peril (25-26).
The Elephant and the Crocodile
There, Oh king! as ill luck would have it, a powerful crocodile fiercely caught his leg, and the
elephant, accidentally so caught unaware, himself of immense strength, accordingly tugged his
best. The cow elephant and other chicken hearted ones seeing their leader in distress, just
pulled forcibly, trumpeted in sorrow, unable to extricate him by pulling him holding from the
rear. (27-28).
As the noble elephant and the crocodile so fought one pulling in and the other out, a thousand
years elapsed, both yet alive and alert to the amazement of even the celestials (29).
Then by the long passage of time the strength of the elephant both mental and physical as well as
his energy slowly ebbed; and as the strength of the one pulled into the water diminished, that of
the aquatic animal increased. Thus when the elephant was in a sad situation and despaired of his
life, unable ever so long to free himself, thought of an idea. Those of my ilk cannot save me, how
can the female ones help? Caught by the noose of Providence in the shape of the crocodile I shall
seek Him the ultimate refuge. I seek refuge of the Lord that protects the scared seeking His
refuge, for refuge from the powerful serpent of Death that pursues ever so swiftly, but yet itself
runs away in utter fear of the Lord. (30-33).
Here ends the second chapter
The Lord Frees the Tusker
Sri Suka Spoke: Having so resolved and with his mind at ease the elephant repeated the most
noble prayers he had learned in a previous birth. (1)
The Lord of elephants uttered:
(Note : The text of Srimad Bhagavatam here gives one of the most magnificent hymns addressed
to Vishnu as the Supreme one, the Almighty who is extolled in multiform in the Upanishads,
Ithihasas and in the various Puranas. Hence the relevant Sanskrit slokas are also given here, with
the English translation).
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 enraged 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.

Gajendras Prayers of Surrender to Lord Vishnu

shri-ganjendra uvacha
om namo bhagavate tasmai
yata etac chid-atmakam
purushayadi-bijaya
pareshayabhidhimahi
Gajendra said: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Person, Vasudeva [om namo
bhagavate vasudevaya]. Because of Him this material body acts due to the presence of spirit, and
He is therefore the root cause of everyone. He is worshipable for such exalted persons as Brahma
and Shiva, and He has entered the heart of every living being. Let me meditate upon Him.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.3.2)
yasminn idam yatash chedam
yenedam ya idam svayam
yo smat parasmach cha paras
tam prapadye svayambhuvam
The Supreme Godhead is the supreme platform on which everything rests, the ingredient by
which everything has been produced, and the person who has created and is the only cause of
this cosmic manifestation. Nonetheless, He is different from the cause and the result. I surrender
unto Him, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is self-sufficient in everything. (8.3.3)
yah svatmanidam nija-mayayarpitam
kvachid vibhatam kva cha tat tirohitam
aviddha-drik sakshy ubhayam tad ikshate
sa atma-mula vatu mam parat-paraha
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, by expanding His own energy, keeps this cosmic
manifestation visible and again sometimes renders it invisible. He is both the supreme cause and
the supreme result, the observer and the witness, in all circumstances. Thus He is transcendental
to everything. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead give me protection. (8.3.4)
kalena pancatvam iteshu kritsnasho
lokeshu paleshu cha sarva-hetushu
tamas tadasid gahanam gabhiram
yas tasya pare bhivirajate vibhuhu
In due course of time, when all the causative and effective manifestations of the universe,
including the planets and their directors and maintainers, are annihilated, there is a situation of
dense darkness. Above this darkness, however, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I take
shelter of His lotus feet. (8.3.5)
na yasya deva rishayah padam vidur

jantuh punah ko rhati gantum iritum

yatha natasyakritibhir vicheshtato
duratyayanukramanah sa mavatu
An artist onstage, being covered by attractive dresses and dancing with different movements, is
not understood by his audience; similarly, the activities and features of the Supreme Artist cannot
be understood even by the demigods or great sages, and certainly not by those who are
unintelligent like animals. Neither the demigods and sages nor the unintelligent can understand
the features of the Lord, nor can they express in words His actual position. May that Supreme
Personality of Godhead give me protection. (8.3.6)
didrikshavo yasya padam sumangalam
vimukta-sanga munayah susadhavaha
charanty aloka-vratam avranam vane
bhutatma-bhutah suhridah sa me gatihi
Renunciants and great sages who see all living beings equally, who are friendly to everyone and
who flawlessly practice in the forest the vows of brahmacarya [celibate student], vanaprastha
[retired] and sannyasa [renunciation] desire to see the all-auspicious lotus feet of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. May that same Supreme Personality of Godhead be my destination.
(8.3.7)
na vidyate yasya cha janma karma va
na nama-rupe guna-dosha eva va
tathapi lokapyaya-sambhavaya yaha
sva-mayaya tany anukalam ricchati
tasmai namah pareshaya
brahmane nanta-shaktaye
arupayoru-rupaya
nama ashcarya-karmane
The Supreme Personality of Godhead has no material birth, activities, name, form, qualities or
faults. To fulfill the purpose for which this material world is created and destroyed, He comes in
the form of a human being like Lord Rama or Lord Krishna by His original internal potency. He
has immense potency, and in various forms, all free from material contamination, He acts
wonderfully. He is therefore the Supreme Brahman. I offer my respects to Him. (8.3.8-9)
nama atma-pradipaya
sakshine paramatmane
namo giram viduraya
manasash chetasam api
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the self-effulgent
Supersoul, who is the witness in everyones heart, who enlightens the individual soul and who

cannot be reached by exercises of the mind, words or consciousness. (8.3.10)

sattveno pratilabhyaya
naishkarmyena vipashcita
namah kaivalya-nathaya
nirvana-sukha-samvide
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is realized by pure devotees who act in the transcendental
existence of bhakti-yoga. He is the bestower of uncontaminated happiness and is the master of
the transcendental world. Therefore I offer my respects unto Him. (8.3.11)
namah shantaya ghoraya
mudhaya guna-dharmine
nirvisheshaya samyaya
namo jnana-ghanaya cha
I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Vasudev, who is all-pervading, to the Lords fierce form
as Lord Nrisimhadeva, to the Lords form as an animal [Lord Varahadeva], to Lord Dattatreya,
who preached impersonalism, to Lord Buddha, and to all the other incarnations. I offer my
respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who has no material qualities but who accepts the three
qualities of goodness, passion and ignorance within this material world. I also offer my
respectful obeisances unto the impersonal Brahman effulgence. (8.3.12)
ksetra-jnaya namas tubhyam
sarvadhyakshaya sakshine
purushayatma-mulaya
mula-prakritaye namaha
I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are the Supersoul, the superintendent of
everything, and the witness of all that occurs. You are the Supreme Person, the origin of material
nature and of the total material energy. You are also the owner of the material body. Therefore,
You are the supreme complete. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. (8.3.13)
sarvendriya-guna-drashtre
sarva-pratyaya-hetave
asata cchayayoktaya
sad-abhasaya te namaha
My Lord, You are the observer of all the objectives of the senses. Without Your mercy, there is
no possibility of solving the problem of doubts. The material world is just like a shadow
resembling You. Indeed, one accepts this material world as real because it gives a glimpse of
Your existence. (8.3.14)
namo namas te khila-karanaya
nishkaranayadbhuta-karanaya

sarvagamamnaya-maharnavaya
namo pavargaya parayanaya
My Lord, You are the cause of all causes, but You Yourself have no causes. Therefore You are the
wonderful cause of everything. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are the shelter of
the Vedic knowledge contained in the shastras like the Pancharatras and Vedanta-sutra, which are
Your representations, and who are the source of the parampara system. Because it is You who
can give liberation, You are the only shelter for all transcendentalists. Let me offer my respectful
obeisances unto You. (8.3.15)
gunarani-cchanna-chid-ushmapaya
tat-kshobha-visphurjita-manasaya
naishkarmya-bhavena vivarjitagama
svayam-prakashaya namas karomi
My Lord, as the fire in arani wood is covered, You and Your unlimited knowledge are covered by
the material modes of nature. Your mind, however, is not attentive to the activities of the modes
of nature. Those who are advanced in spiritual knowledge are not subject to the regulative
principles directed in the Vedic literature. Because such advanced souls are transcendental, You
personally appear in their pure minds. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
(8.3.16)
madrik prapanna-pashu-pashu-vimokshanaya
muktaya bhuri-karunaya namo layaya
svamshena sarva-tanu-bhrin-manasi pratitapratyag-drishe bhagavate brihate namaste
Since an animal such as I has surrendered unto You, who are supremely liberated, certainly You
will release me from this dangerous position. Indeed, being extremely merciful, You incessantly
try to deliver me. By Your partial feature as Paramatma, You are situated in the hearts of all
embodied beings. You are celebrated as direct transcendental knowledge, and You are unlimited.
I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (8.3.17)
atmatma-japti-griha-vitta-janeshu saktair
dushprapanaya guna-sanga-vivarjitaya
muktatmabhih sva-hridaya paribhavitaya
jnanatmane bhagavate nama ishvaraya
My Lord, those who are completely freed from material contamination always meditate upon
You within the cores of their hearts. You are extremely difficult to attain for those like me who
are too attached to mental concoction, home, relatives, friends, money, servants and assistants.
You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, uncontaminated by the modes of nature. You are
the reservoir of all enlightenment, the supreme controller. I therefore offer my respectful
obeisances unto You. (8.3.18)

yam dharma-kamartha-vimukti-kama
bhajanta ishtam gatim apnuvanti
kim chashisho raty api deham avyayam
karotu me dabhra-dayo vimokshanam
After worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, those who are interested in the four
principles of religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation obtain from Him
what they desire. What then is to be said of other benedictions? Indeed, sometimes the Lord
gives a spiritual body to such ambitious worshipers. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead,
who is unlimitedly merciful, bestow upon me the benediction of liberation from this present
danger and from the materialistic way of life. (8.3.19)
ekantino yasya na kanchanartham
vanchanti ye vai bhagavat-prapannaha
aty-adbhutam tach-charitam sumangalam
gayanta ananda-samudra-magnaha
tam aksharam brahma param paresham
avyaktam adhyatmika-yoga-gamyam
atindriyam sukshmam ivatiduram
anantam adyam paripurnam ide
Unalloyed devotees, who have no desire other than to serve the Lord, worship Him in full
surrender and always hear and chant about His activities, which are most wonderful and
auspicious. Thus they always merge in an ocean of transcendental bliss. Such devotees never ask
the Lord for any benediction. I, however, am in danger. Thus I pray to the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, who is eternally existing, who is invisible, who is the Lord of all great personalities,
such as Brahma, and who is available only by transcendental bhakti-yoga. Being extremely
subtle, He is beyond the reach of my senses and transcendental to all external realization. He is
unlimited, He is the original cause, and He is completely full in everything. I offer my obeisances
unto Him. (8.3.20-21)
yasya bramadayo deva
veda lokash characharaha
nama-rupa-vibhedena
phalgvya cha kalaya kritaha
yatharchisho gneh savitur gabhastayo
niryanti samyanty asakrit sva-rochishaha
tatha yato yam guna-sampravaho
buddhir manah khani sharira-sargaha
sa vai na devasura-martya-tiryan
na stri na sandho na puman na jantuhu
nayam gunah karma na san na casan

nishedha-shesho jayatad ashesaha

The Supreme Personality of Godhead creates His minor parts and parcels, the jiva-tattva,
beginning with Lord Brahma, the demigods and the expansions of Vedic knowledge [Sama, Rig,
Yajur and Atharva Vedas] and including all other living entities, moving and nonmoving, with
their different names and characteristics. As the sparks of a fire or the shining rays of the sun
emanate from their source and merge into it again and again, the mind, the intelligence, the
senses, the gross and subtle material bodies, and the continuous transformations of the different
modes of nature all emanate from the Lord and again merge into Him. He is neither demigod nor
demon, neither human nor bird nor beast. He is not woman, man or neuter, nor is He an animal.
He is not a material quality, a fruitive activity, a manifestation or nonmanifestation. He is the last
word in the discrimination of not this, or not that, and He is unlimited. All glories to the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. (8.3.22-24)
jijivishe naham ihamuya kim
antar bahish chavritayebha-yonya
icchami kalena na yasya viplavas
tasyatma-lokavaranasya moksham
I do not wish to live anymore after I am released from the attack of the crocodile. What is the use
of an elephants body covered externally and internally by ignorance? I simply desire eternal
liberation from the covering of ignorance. That covering is not destroyed by the influence of
time. (8.3.25)
so ham vishva-srijam vishvam
avishvan vishva-vedasam
vishvatmanam ajam brahma
pranato smi param padam
Now, fully desiring release from material life, I offer my respectful obeisances unto that Supreme
Person who is the creator of the universe, who is Himself the form of the universe and who is
nonetheless transcendental to this cosmic manifestation. He is the supreme knower of everything
in this world, the Supersoul of the universe. He is the unborn, supremely situated Lord. I offer
my respectful obeisances unto Him. (8.3.26)
yoga-randhita-karmano
hridi yoga-vibhavite
yogino yam prapashyanti
yogesham tam nato smy aham
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme, the Supersoul, the master of all mystic yoga,
who is seen in the core of the heart by perfect mystics when they are completely purified and
freed from the reactions of fruitive activity by practicing bhakti-yoga. (8.3.27)
namo namas tubhyam asahya-vega-

shakti-trayayakhila-dhi-gunaya
prapanna-palaya duranta-shaktaye
kad-indriyanam anavapya-vartmane
My Lord, You are the controller of formidable strength in three kinds of energy. You appear as
the reservoir of all sense pleasure and the protector of the surrendered souls. You possess
unlimited energy, but You are unapproachable by those who are unable to control their senses. I
offer my respectful obeisances unto You again and again. (8.3.28)
nayam veda svam atmanam
yach-chaktyaham-dhiya hatam
tam duratyaya-mahatmyam
bhagavantam ito smy aham
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose illusory
energy the jiva [individual spirit soul], who is part and parcel of God, forgets his real identity
because of the bodily concept of life. I take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
whose glories are difficult to understand. (8.3.29)
[The Lord now replies to Gajendra]
ye mam stuvanty anenanga
pratibudhya nishatyaye
tesham pranatyaye chaham
dadami vipulam gatim
My dear devotee, unto those who rise from bed at the end of night and offer Me the prayers
offered by you, I give an eternal residence in the spiritual world at the end of their lives.
(8.4.25)
Here goes the Gajendra Moksha Stuthi:
AUM NAMO BHAGAWATE TASMAY YAT ETCCHIDATMAKAM
PURUSHAAYAA DIBIJAAY PARESHAAYAABHI DHEEMAHEE
YASMINNIDUM YETASCCHEDUM YENEDUM EEDUM SWAYAM
YOSMAAT PARASMAASCH PARAH TUMPRAPADYE SWAYAMBHOOWA
The Sri Maha Bhagwat Puraan says that who so ever will chant or listen to the Gajendra
Moksha regularly, to him success and fame will come naturally without him falling into the trap
of Ego and worldly attachments. And hell not have bad dreams or suffer from nightmares.