Gajendra's Crisis

Chapter 2

Within the Trikuta mountain was a beautiful valley, wherein the picturesque Ritumat garden and lake were situated. Varuna’s construction of the garden was so expert that even celestial beings would come there for leisure. Once, Gajendra, the chief of the elephants, along with his female companions, went there for an outing. In an intoxicated state they frivolously played in the lake and inadvertently disturbed the inhabitants of the water.

Angered by their insensitivity, a mighty crocodile violently attacked Gajendra, and a great struggle ensued in the lake. After one thousand years of fighting, the chief elephant was becoming weaker and weaker since he was in an unnatural environment, being an animal of the land. Gajendra finally realised that no person could save him from this precarious situation. In great desperation and helplessness, the elephant sought the shelter of the Supreme Lord.