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The Bhagavata Purana in Adhyaya 7 of the 2nd Skandha enumerates in brief the incident of Gajendra moksha as follows :

The Bhagavata Purana in Adhyaya 7 of the 2nd Skandha enumerates in brief the incident of Gajendra moksha as follows :

Once, the king of Elephants was distressed due to his leg being caught by an extremely powerful crocodile in a lake. He immediately plucked a lotus and held it out in his trunk as an offering and called out to Lord Vishnu. The Lord too, hearing the appeal of his devotee rushed to his aid mounted on Garuda. He then cut asunder the jaw of the crocodile with his weapon, the Sudarshana Chakra and dragged the elephant out by the trunk. This episode of Lord Vishnu’s grace towards his devotee, the lord of the elephants, is referred to as Gajendra moksha.<ref>The Bhagavata Purana ([https://archive.org/stream/BhagavataPuranaMotilalEnglish/Bhagavata%20Purana%20-%20Motilal%20-%20English%20-%20Parts%201%20-%205#page/n194/mode/1up Part 1]), Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited</ref> It is said that,<blockquote>अन्तः सरस्युरुबलेन पदे गृहीतो ग्राहेण यूथपतिरम्बुजहस्त आर्तः ।</blockquote><blockquote>आहेदमादिपुरुषाखिललोकनाथ तीर्थश्रवः श्रवणमङ्गलनामधेय ॥ १५ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>श्रुत्वा हरिस्तमरणार्थिनमप्रमेयः चक्रायुधः पतगराजभुजाधिरूढः ।</blockquote><blockquote>चक्रेण नक्रवदनं विनिपाद्य तस्माद् धस्ते प्रगृह्य भगवान् कृपयोज्जहार ॥ १६ ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 2, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD Adhyaya 7].</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>''antaḥ sarasyurubalena pade gr̥hīto grāheṇa yūthapatirambujahasta ārtaḥ ।''</blockquote><blockquote>''āhedamādipuruṣākhilalokanātha tīrthaśravaḥ śravaṇamaṅgalanāmadheya ॥ 15 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''śrutvā haristamaraṇārthinamaprameyaḥ cakrāyudhaḥ patagarājabhujādhirūḍhaḥ ।''</blockquote><blockquote>''cakreṇa nakravadanaṁ vinipādya tasmād dhaste pragr̥hya bhagavān kr̥payojjahāra ॥ 16 ॥''</blockquote>The story is further elaborated in the 2nd Adhyaya of the 8th Skandha as follows:

Once, the king of Elephants was distressed due to his leg being caught by an extremely powerful crocodile in a lake. He immediately plucked a lotus and held it out in his trunk as an offering and called out to Lord Vishnu. The Lord too, hearing the appeal of his devotee, rushed to his aid mounted on Garuda. He then cut asunder the jaw of the crocodile with his weapon, the Sudarshana Chakra and dragged the elephant out by the trunk. This episode of Lord Vishnu’s grace towards his devotee, the lord of the elephants, is referred to as Gajendra moksha.<ref>The Bhagavata Purana ([https://archive.org/stream/BhagavataPuranaMotilalEnglish/Bhagavata%20Purana%20-%20Motilal%20-%20English%20-%20Parts%201%20-%205#page/n194/mode/1up Part 1]), Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited</ref> It is said that,<blockquote>अन्तः सरस्युरुबलेन पदे गृहीतो ग्राहेण यूथपतिरम्बुजहस्त आर्तः । आहेदमादिपुरुषाखिललोकनाथ तीर्थश्रवः श्रवणमङ्गलनामधेय ॥ १५ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>श्रुत्वा हरिस्तमरणार्थिनमप्रमेयः चक्रायुधः पतगराजभुजाधिरूढः । चक्रेण नक्रवदनं विनिपाद्य तस्माद् धस्ते प्रगृह्य भगवान् कृपयोज्जहार ॥ १६ ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 2, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD Adhyaya 7].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''antaḥ sarasyurubalena pade gr̥hīto grāheṇa yūthapatirambujahasta ārtaḥ ।'' ''āhedamādipuruṣākhilalokanātha tīrthaśravaḥ śravaṇamaṅgalanāmadheya ॥ 15 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''śrutvā haristamaraṇārthinamaprameyaḥ cakrāyudhaḥ patagarājabhujādhirūḍhaḥ ।'' ''cakreṇa nakravadanaṁ vinipādya tasmād dhaste pragr̥hya bhagavān kr̥payojjahāra ॥ 16 ॥''</blockquote>This story is further elaborated in the initial chapters of Bhagavata Purana's 8th Skandha.

== गजेन्द्रस्य निवासः ॥ Gajendra's abode ==

== गजेन्द्रस्य निवासः ॥ Gajendra's abode ==

'''Chapter 2:''' '''The Crisis of the Elephant Gajendra'''

The king of elephants known as Gajendra lived in the mountainous region of Trikuta. Shri Shuka describes the region in the following verses:<blockquote>आसीद् गिरिवरो राजन् त्रिकूट इति विश्रुतः । क्षीरोदेनावृतः श्रीमान् योजनायुतमुच्छ्रितः ॥ १ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>तावता विस्तृतः पर्यक्त्रिभिः श्रृङ्‌गैः पयोनिधिम् । दिशः खं रोचयन्नास्ते रौप्यायसहिरण्मयैः ॥ २ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>अन्यैश्च ककुभः सर्वा रत्‍नधातुविचित्रितैः । नानाद्रुमलतागुल्मैः निर्घोषैः निर्झराम्भसाम् ॥ ३ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>स चावनिज्यमानाङ्‌घ्रिः समन्तात् पयऊर्मिभिः । करोति श्यामलां भूमिं हरिन् मरकताश्मभिः ॥ ४ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सिद्धचारणगन्धर्व विद्याधरमहोरगैः । किन्नरैः अप्सरोभिश्च क्रीडद्‌भिः जुष्टकन्दरः ॥ ५ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>यत्र सङ्‌गीतसन्नादैः नदद्‍गुहममर्षया । अभिगर्जन्ति हरयः श्लाघिनः परशंकया ॥ ६ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>नानारण्यपशुव्रात संकुलद्रोण्यलंकृतः । चित्रद्रुमसुरोद्यान कलकण्ठविहंगमः ॥ ७ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सरित्सरोभिरच्छोदैः पुलिनैः मणिवालुकैः । देवस्त्रीमज्जनामोद सौरभाम्ब्वनिलैर्युतः ॥ ८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तस्य द्रोण्यां भगवतो वरुणस्य महात्मनः । उद्यानं ऋतुमन्नाम आक्रीडं सुरयोषिताम् ॥ ९ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सर्वतोऽलंकृतं दिव्यैः नित्यपुष्पफलद्रुमैः । मन्दारैः पारिजातैश्च पाटलाशोकचम्पकैः ॥ १० ॥</blockquote><blockquote>चूतैः पियालैः पनसैः आम्रैः आम्रातकैरपि । क्रमुकैर्नारिकेलैश्च खर्जूरैः बीजपूरकैः ॥ ११ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>मधुकैः शालतालैश्च तमालै रसनार्जुनैः । अरिष्टोडुम्बरप्लक्षैः वटैः किंशुकचन्दनैः ॥ १२ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>पिचुमर्दैः कोविदारैः सरलैः सुरदारुभिः । द्राक्षेक्षु रम्भाजम्बुभिः बदर्यक्षाभयामलैः ॥ १३ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>बिल्वैः कपित्थैर्जम्बीरैः वृतो भल्लातकादिभिः । तस्मिन्सरः सुविपुलं लसत्काञ्चनपंकजम् ॥ १४ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>कुमुदोत्पलकह्लार शतपत्रश्रियोर्जितम् । मत्तषट्पदनिर्घुष्टं शकुन्तैश्च कलस्वनैः ॥ १५ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णं चक्राह्वैः सारसैरपि । जलकुक्कुटकोयष्टि दात्यूहकुलकूजितम् ॥ १६ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>मत्स्यकच्छपसञ्चार चलत्पद्मरजःपयः । कदम्बवेतसनल नीपवञ्जुलकैर्वृतम् ॥ १७ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>कुन्दैः कुरुबकाशोकैः शिरीषैः कूटजेङ्‌गुदैः । कुब्जकैः स्वर्णयूथीभिः नागपुन्नाग जातिभिः ॥ १८ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>मल्लिकाशतपत्रैश्च माधवीजालकादिभिः । शोभितं तीरजैश्चान्यैः नित्यर्तुभिरलं द्रुमैः ॥ १९ ॥<ref name=":3">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 8, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 2].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''āsīd girivaro rājan trikūṭa iti viśrutaḥ । kṣīrodenāvr̥taḥ śrīmān yojanāyutamucchritaḥ ॥ 1 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tāvatā vistr̥taḥ paryaktribhiḥ śrr̥ṅ‌gaiḥ payonidhim । diśaḥ khaṁ rocayannāste raupyāyasahiraṇmayaiḥ ॥ 2 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''anyaiśca kakubhaḥ sarvā rat‍nadhātuvicitritaiḥ । nānādrumalatāgulmaiḥ nirghoṣaiḥ nirjharāmbhasām ॥ 3 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''sa cāvanijyamānāṅ‌ghriḥ samantāt payaūrmibhiḥ । karoti śyāmalāṁ bhūmiṁ harin marakatāśmabhiḥ ॥ 4 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''siddhacāraṇagandharva vidyādharamahoragaiḥ । kinnaraiḥ apsarobhiśca krīḍad‌bhiḥ juṣṭakandaraḥ ॥ 5 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''yatra saṅ‌gītasannādaiḥ nadad‍guhamamarṣayā । abhigarjanti harayaḥ ślāghinaḥ paraśaṁkayā ॥ 6 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''nānāraṇyapaśuvrāta saṁkuladroṇyalaṁkr̥taḥ । citradrumasurodyāna kalakaṇṭhavihaṁgamaḥ ॥ 7 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''saritsarobhiracchodaiḥ pulinaiḥ maṇivālukaiḥ । devastrīmajjanāmoda saurabhāmbvanilairyutaḥ ॥ 8 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tasya droṇyāṁ bhagavato varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ । udyānaṁ r̥tumannāma ākrīḍaṁ surayoṣitām ॥ 9 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''sarvato'laṁkr̥taṁ divyaiḥ nityapuṣpaphaladrumaiḥ । mandāraiḥ pārijātaiśca pāṭalāśokacampakaiḥ ॥ 10 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''cūtaiḥ piyālaiḥ panasaiḥ āmraiḥ āmrātakairapi । kramukairnārikelaiśca kharjūraiḥ bījapūrakaiḥ ॥ 11 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''madhukaiḥ śālatālaiśca tamālai rasanārjunaiḥ । ariṣṭoḍumbaraplakṣaiḥ vaṭaiḥ kiṁśukacandanaiḥ ॥ 12 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''picumardaiḥ kovidāraiḥ saralaiḥ suradārubhiḥ । drākṣekṣu rambhājambubhiḥ badaryakṣābhayāmalaiḥ ॥ 13 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''bilvaiḥ kapitthairjambīraiḥ vr̥to bhallātakādibhiḥ । tasminsaraḥ suvipulaṁ lasatkāñcanapaṁkajam ॥ 14 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''kumudotpalakahlāra śatapatraśriyorjitam । mattaṣaṭpadanirghuṣṭaṁ śakuntaiśca kalasvanaiḥ ॥ 15 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''haṁsakāraṇḍavākīrṇaṁ cakrāhvaiḥ sārasairapi । jalakukkuṭakoyaṣṭi dātyūhakulakūjitam ॥ 16 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''matsyakacchapasañcāra calatpadmarajaḥpayaḥ । kadambavetasanala nīpavañjulakairvr̥tam ॥ 17 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''kundaiḥ kurubakāśokaiḥ śirīṣaiḥ kūṭajeṅ‌gudaiḥ । kubjakaiḥ svarṇayūthībhiḥ nāgapunnāga jātibhiḥ ॥ 18 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''mallikāśatapatraiśca mādhavījālakādibhiḥ । śobhitaṁ tīrajaiścānyaiḥ nityartubhiralaṁ drumaiḥ ॥ 19 ॥''</blockquote>

'''S''''rî S'uka said: 'Oh King, there was a very big mountain countless miles high, known as Trikûtha ['three peaks']. It was surrounded by an ocean of milk [or plant-juice see 5.20: 18]. (2-3) With its three peaks full of silver, iron and gold in its circumference being as wide as it was long, it, as an island, lush with trees, creepers and shrubs and the sounds of waterfalls, stood radiant against the sky in every direction, with even more peaks on all sides containing precious stone and minerals. (4) At its foot, being washed by the waves of the sea all around, the earth had turned dark green from green emerald stones. (5) The souls of perfection, the venerable souls, the heavenly singers, the souls of knowledge and the great souls of the world of snakes, the souls of a superhuman nature and the dancing girls, enjoyed it in the valleys there to be engaged in pastimes. (6) The caves there resounded with the sounds of singers, that made the stout lions enviously roar for a mate. (7) The dales harbored great numbers of all thinkable jungle animals and the gardens, that were tended by the enlightened souls living there, were beautifully decorated with all types of trees and chirping birds. (8) In the rivers and lakes filled with crystal clear water, the damsels of the godly souls were bathing who, [entering the water] at the sand banks glittering with gems, enriched the air and the water with the fragrance of their bodies.  (9-13) In one valley there was a garden of the great soul, the mighty personality of Varuna, that was named Ritumat. It was a sporting place of the Sura ladies that everywhere, to honor the divinity, was most beautifully tended with flowers and fruits and mandâra and pârijâta, pâthala, as'oka and campaka trees. There were fruits like cûtas, piyâlas, panasas, mangoes, âmrâtakas, kramukas and pomegranates as also coconut and date trees. One found there madhukas, palm trees, tamâlas, asanas, arjunas, arishthas, udumbaras, plakshas, banyans, kims'ukas and sandelwood trees as also picumarda flowers, kovidâra fruits, sarala- and sura-dâru trees, grapes, sugar cane, bananas, jambu, badarî, aksha, abhaya and âmalakî fruits. (14-19) In that garden there was a very large lake, full of shining golden lotuses, surrounded by bilva, kapittha, jambîra, bhallâtaka and other trees. Next to the great beauty of the kumuda, kahlâra, utpala and s'atapatra flowers, the intoxicated bees were humming around accompanied by the most melodious songs of the birds. It was crowded with swans and kârandavas, cakrâvakas, flocks of water chickens, koyashthis and dâtyûhas who all made their noises. The water, surrounded by kadamba, vetasa, nala, nîpa and vañjulaka flowers, agitated by the movements of the fish and tortoises, stirred the lotuses, so that the pollen falling from them covered the surface. The trees growing on the banks, like kundas, kurubakas, as'okas, s'irîshas, kûthajas, ingudas, kubjakas, svarna-yûthîs, nâgas, punnâgas, jâtîs, mallikâs, s'atapatras, mâdhavî-latâs, jâlakâs and others, adorned the place [bearing  fruits and flowers] abundantly during all seasons.<ref name=":0">Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 8, [http://bhagavata.org/downloads/bhagavatam-canto8.html#2 Chapter 2].</ref><blockquote>आसीद् गिरिवरो राजन् त्रिकूट इति विश्रुतः । क्षीरोदेनावृतः श्रीमान् योजनायुतमुच्छ्रितः ॥ १ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>तावता विस्तृतः पर्यक्त्रिभिः श्रृङ्‌गैः पयोनिधिम् । दिशः खं रोचयन्नास्ते रौप्यायसहिरण्मयैः ॥ २ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>अन्यैश्च ककुभः सर्वा रत्‍नधातुविचित्रितैः । नानाद्रुमलतागुल्मैः निर्घोषैः निर्झराम्भसाम् ॥ ३ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>स चावनिज्यमानाङ्‌घ्रिः समन्तात् पयऊर्मिभिः । करोति श्यामलां भूमिं हरिन् मरकताश्मभिः ॥ ४ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सिद्धचारणगन्धर्व विद्याधरमहोरगैः । किन्नरैः अप्सरोभिश्च क्रीडद्‌भिः जुष्टकन्दरः ॥ ५ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>यत्र सङ्‌गीतसन्नादैः नदद्‍गुहममर्षया । अभिगर्जन्ति हरयः श्लाघिनः परशंकया ॥ ६ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>नानारण्यपशुव्रात संकुलद्रोण्यलंकृतः । चित्रद्रुमसुरोद्यान कलकण्ठविहंगमः ॥ ७ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सरित्सरोभिरच्छोदैः पुलिनैः मणिवालुकैः । देवस्त्रीमज्जनामोद सौरभाम्ब्वनिलैर्युतः ॥ ८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तस्य द्रोण्यां भगवतो वरुणस्य महात्मनः । उद्यानं ऋतुमन्नाम आक्रीडं सुरयोषिताम् ॥ ९ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सर्वतोऽलंकृतं दिव्यैः नित्यपुष्पफलद्रुमैः । मन्दारैः पारिजातैश्च पाटलाशोकचम्पकैः ॥ १० ॥</blockquote><blockquote>चूतैः पियालैः पनसैः आम्रैः आम्रातकैरपि । क्रमुकैर्नारिकेलैश्च खर्जूरैः बीजपूरकैः ॥ ११ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>मधुकैः शालतालैश्च तमालै रसनार्जुनैः । अरिष्टोडुम्बरप्लक्षैः वटैः किंशुकचन्दनैः ॥ १२ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>पिचुमर्दैः कोविदारैः सरलैः सुरदारुभिः । द्राक्षेक्षु रम्भाजम्बुभिः बदर्यक्षाभयामलैः ॥ १३ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>बिल्वैः कपित्थैर्जम्बीरैः वृतो भल्लातकादिभिः । तस्मिन्सरः सुविपुलं लसत्काञ्चनपंकजम् ॥ १४ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>कुमुदोत्पलकह्लार शतपत्रश्रियोर्जितम् । मत्तषट्पदनिर्घुष्टं शकुन्तैश्च कलस्वनैः ॥ १५ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णं चक्राह्वैः सारसैरपि । जलकुक्कुटकोयष्टि दात्यूहकुलकूजितम् ॥ १६ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>मत्स्यकच्छपसञ्चार चलत्पद्मरजःपयः । कदम्बवेतसनल नीपवञ्जुलकैर्वृतम् ॥ १७ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>कुन्दैः कुरुबकाशोकैः शिरीषैः कूटजेङ्‌गुदैः । कुब्जकैः स्वर्णयूथीभिः नागपुन्नाग जातिभिः ॥ १८ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>मल्लिकाशतपत्रैश्च माधवीजालकादिभिः । शोभितं तीरजैश्चान्यैः नित्यर्तुभिरलं द्रुमैः ॥ १९ ॥<ref name=":3">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 8, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 2].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''āsīd girivaro rājan trikūṭa iti viśrutaḥ । kṣīrodenāvr̥taḥ śrīmān yojanāyutamucchritaḥ ॥ 1 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tāvatā vistr̥taḥ paryaktribhiḥ śrr̥ṅ‌gaiḥ payonidhim । diśaḥ khaṁ rocayannāste raupyāyasahiraṇmayaiḥ ॥ 2 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''anyaiśca kakubhaḥ sarvā rat‍nadhātuvicitritaiḥ । nānādrumalatāgulmaiḥ nirghoṣaiḥ nirjharāmbhasām ॥ 3 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''sa cāvanijyamānāṅ‌ghriḥ samantāt payaūrmibhiḥ । karoti śyāmalāṁ bhūmiṁ harin marakatāśmabhiḥ ॥ 4 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''siddhacāraṇagandharva vidyādharamahoragaiḥ । kinnaraiḥ apsarobhiśca krīḍad‌bhiḥ juṣṭakandaraḥ ॥ 5 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''yatra saṅ‌gītasannādaiḥ nadad‍guhamamarṣayā । abhigarjanti harayaḥ ślāghinaḥ paraśaṁkayā ॥ 6 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''nānāraṇyapaśuvrāta saṁkuladroṇyalaṁkr̥taḥ । citradrumasurodyāna kalakaṇṭhavihaṁgamaḥ ॥ 7 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''saritsarobhiracchodaiḥ pulinaiḥ maṇivālukaiḥ । devastrīmajjanāmoda saurabhāmbvanilairyutaḥ ॥ 8 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tasya droṇyāṁ bhagavato varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ । udyānaṁ r̥tumannāma ākrīḍaṁ surayoṣitām ॥ 9 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''sarvato'laṁkr̥taṁ divyaiḥ nityapuṣpaphaladrumaiḥ । mandāraiḥ pārijātaiśca pāṭalāśokacampakaiḥ ॥ 10 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''cūtaiḥ piyālaiḥ panasaiḥ āmraiḥ āmrātakairapi । kramukairnārikelaiśca kharjūraiḥ bījapūrakaiḥ ॥ 11 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''madhukaiḥ śālatālaiśca tamālai rasanārjunaiḥ । ariṣṭoḍumbaraplakṣaiḥ vaṭaiḥ kiṁśukacandanaiḥ ॥ 12 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''picumardaiḥ kovidāraiḥ saralaiḥ suradārubhiḥ । drākṣekṣu rambhājambubhiḥ badaryakṣābhayāmalaiḥ ॥ 13 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''bilvaiḥ kapitthairjambīraiḥ vr̥to bhallātakādibhiḥ । tasminsaraḥ suvipulaṁ lasatkāñcanapaṁkajam ॥ 14 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''kumudotpalakahlāra śatapatraśriyorjitam । mattaṣaṭpadanirghuṣṭaṁ śakuntaiśca kalasvanaiḥ ॥ 15 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''haṁsakāraṇḍavākīrṇaṁ cakrāhvaiḥ sārasairapi । jalakukkuṭakoyaṣṭi dātyūhakulakūjitam ॥ 16 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''matsyakacchapasañcāra calatpadmarajaḥpayaḥ । kadambavetasanala nīpavañjulakairvr̥tam ॥ 17 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''kundaiḥ kurubakāśokaiḥ śirīṣaiḥ kūṭajeṅ‌gudaiḥ । kubjakaiḥ svarṇayūthībhiḥ nāgapunnāga jātibhiḥ ॥ 18 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''mallikāśatapatraiśca mādhavījālakādibhiḥ । śobhitaṁ tīrajaiścānyaiḥ nityartubhiralaṁ drumaiḥ ॥ 19 ॥''</blockquote>

Meaning:  

* There was a mountain well known as Trikuta. The beautiful mountain was 10,000 yojanas in height and was surrounded by the milky ocean. It was wide on all sides to the same extent as its height. It had 3 peaks of gold, silver and iron (respectively) wherewith it illuminated the milky ocean, the cardinal points and the sky. It stood radiating its charms in all directions by its other summits which were variegated in colours with precious stones and mineral ores. It was covered with clusters of trees, creepers and shrubs of various kinds, and resounded with the cascades of mountain torrents. With its foot, being washed by the waves of milk all around, the earth appeared dark green with its rocks and pebbles of emeralds.  

* The Siddhas, Charanas, Gandharvas (the heavenly singers), Vidyadharas, big serpents, kinnaras and Apsaras (celestial nymphs) resorted to its valleys for sporting. The caves there resounded with the echoes of music (of kinnaras, etc.) that made the proud lions impatiently roar back in indignation towards them suspecting the presence of a rival lion. The place was adorned with valleys full of herds of wild animals of various kinds. And in its celestial gardens abounding in a variety of trees, birds of sweet voice were chirping. It appeared beautiful with streams and lakes of crystal clear water, with banks covered with sparkling sand of jewels and precious stones. Their waters became highly fragrant by the bathing of celestial women in them, and the breezes blowing over them were charged with sweet scent.  

* In one valleys of that mountain, there is a garden of called Rtumat belonging to the great lord Varuna which was the sporting place of the Celestial ladies. On all sides, it was adorned with celestial trees ever laden with fruits and blossoming flowers such as Mandaras, Parijatas, Patalas, Ashokas, Champakas, mangoes (of various species), Priyalas, Jackfruit trees, Amratakas as well as with Arecas, Coconut trees, date-palms, Citrons, Madhukas, Shala trees, Palmyras Tamalas, Asanas, Arjunas, Soap-berries, Indian fig trees, plakshas, banyan trees, kimshukas, sandal trees, Neem trees, kovidaras,  Saralas, Deodars, grapevines, sugar canes, plantains, rose-apples, plum trees, Akshas, Abhaya and Amalaki trees and was surrounded by Bilva, wood apple tree, Jambira, Bhallataka and other trees.  

* In that garden, there was an extensive lake resplendent with golden lotuses. It looked excellently beautiful with the splendor of lilies and various species of lotuses such as Utpala, kalhara and shatapatra (of white, blue and ordinary types). It was resonant with the ceaseless humming of intoxicated bees and with melodious notes of chirping birds. It was crowded with aquatic birds like swans, ducks called Karandava, Chakravakas and cranes. It resounded with the cries of water-fowls koyashthis and Datyuha. Its waters were covered with filaments of lotuses shaking with the movement of the fish and tortoises. It was surrounded with trees and plants such as Kadambas, Canes, Nalas (a variety of reed), Nipas (a kind of Kadamba), Vanjulaka, Kurbaka, Ashoka, Shirisha, Kutaja, Inguda, Kubjaka, svarna-yuthis (yellow jasmine), Naga, Punnaga, Jatis, Millika, Shatapatras, Madhavi Jalaka, and other creepers. It appears superbly beautiful with other trees growing on its banks, and bearing fruits and flowers throughout all seasons. (Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 8, Adhyaya 2)<ref>The Bhagavata Purana ([https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.20693/page/n127 Part 3]), Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited</ref>

== गजनक्रयुद्धम् ॥ Battle between Elephant and Crocodile ==

== गजनक्रयुद्धम् ॥ Battle between Elephant and Crocodile ==

(20) '''T'''he leader of the elephants, who in the company of his wives lived in the forest, one day wandered around on that mountain and [searching for water] broke through many thickets full of thorns, creepers and all kinds of trees and plants. (21) Just his smell was enough to make all the lions and other beasts of prey, the other elephants, the rhinoceroses, big snakes and the white and black camarî deer flee in fear. (22) By his mercy the foxes, boars, buffaloes, bears, porcupines, gopucchas and other deer, wolves, monkeys and small animals like rabbits and such, could freely roam without fear. (23-24) Dripping from his temples and agitated [in musth] he, surrounded by intoxicated, drinking bees and followed by the other he and she elephants and the young in their midst, made the earth all around the mountain tremble. From a distance smelling the water with the pollen of the lotus flowers carried by the breeze he, with his thirsty company and his vision clouded under the influence, hurried for the bank of that lake. (25) Entering its pellucid, cool water he with his trunk drank his fill from the nectarean lotus pollen mixture, took a good bath and was thus relieved of all fatigue. (26) Drawing the water with his trunk and spraying it over him, he inspired his wives and children also to take a bath and drink. Thus being engaged he, like a concerned householder being overly attached to his family, took under the control of the deluding material world, no heed of any possible danger. (27) Then the lot fell to him that his foot, oh King, right there was caught by a mighty and angry crocodile. The elephant thereupon with all his strength strenuously tried to get out of this dangerous position. (28) When the wives saw that their leader was suddenly attacked and captured, they in shock started to lament. But the other elephants trying to free him from behind, were equally helpless. (29) While the elephant and the crocodile this way were fighting, pulling one another in and out of the water, a thousand years passed in which they both stayed alive. That, oh King, was a thing the immortal souls considered most wonderful. (30) Gajendra, the elephant king, in the period thereafter more and more lost his strength because of the fatigue of having fought so long against being pulled into the water. The crocodile by contrast, was at home in the water and became more frantic, strong and powerful over the years.<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>तत्रैकदा तद्‌गिरिकाननाश्रयः करेणुभिर्वारणयूथपश्चरन् । सकण्टकं कीचकवेणुवेत्रवद् विशालगुल्मं प्ररुजन् वनस्पतीन् ॥ २० ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>यद्‍गन्धमात्राद्धरयो गजेन्द्रा व्याघ्रादयो व्यालमृगाः सखड्गाः । महोरगाश्चापि भयाद्द्रवन्ति सगौरकृष्णाः सरभाश्चमर्यः ॥ २१ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>वृका वराहा महिषर्क्षशल्या गोपुच्छशालावृकमर्कटाश्च । अन्यत्र क्षुद्रा हरिणाः शशादयः चरन्त्यभीता यदनुग्रहेण ॥ २२ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>स घर्मतप्तः करिभिः करेणुभिः वृतो मदच्युत्कलभैरनुद्रुतः । गिरिं गरिम्णा परितः प्रकम्पयन् निषेव्यमाणोऽलिकुलैर्मदाशनैः ॥ २३ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सरोऽनिलं पङ्‌कजरेणुरूषितं जिघ्रन् विदूरान् मदविह्वलेक्षणः । वृतः स्वयूथेन तृषार्दितेन तत् सरोवराभ्याशमथागमद् द्रुतम् ॥ २४ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>विगाह्य तस्मिन् अमृताम्बु निर्मलं हेमारविन्दोत्पलरेणुवासितम् । पपौ निकामं निजपुष्करोद्धृतं आत्मानमद्‌भिः स्नपयन्गतक्लमः ॥ २५ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>स पुष्करेणोद्‌धृतशीकराम्बुभिः निपाययन् संस्नपयन्यथा गृही । घृणी करेणुः करभांश्च दुर्मदो नाचष्ट कृच्छ्रं कृपणोऽजमायया ॥ २६ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>तं तत्र कश्चिन्नृप दैवचोदितो ग्राहो बलीयांश्चरणे रुषाग्रहीत् । यदृच्छयैवं व्यसनं गतो गजो यथाबलं सोऽतिबलो विचक्रमे ॥ २७ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>तथाऽऽतुरं यूथपतिं करेणवो विकृष्यमाणं तरसा बलीयसा । विचुक्रुशुर्दीनधियोऽपरे गजाः पार्ष्णिग्रहास्तारयितुं न चाशकन् ॥ २८ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>नियुध्यतोरेवमिभेन्द्रनक्रयोः विकर्षतोरन्तरतो बहिर्मिथः । समाः सहस्रं व्यगमन् महीपते सप्राणयोश्चित्रममंसतामराः ॥ २९ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>ततो गजेन्द्रस्य मनोबलौजसां कालेन दीर्घेण महानभूद् व्ययः । विकृष्यमाणस्य जलेऽवसीदतो विपर्ययोऽभूत् सकलं जलौकसः ॥ ३० ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''tatraikadā tad‌girikānanāśrayaḥ kareṇubhirvāraṇayūthapaścaran । sakaṇṭakaṁ kīcakaveṇuvetravad viśālagulmaṁ prarujan vanaspatīn ॥ 20 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''yad‍gandhamātrāddharayo gajendrā vyāghrādayo vyālamr̥gāḥ sakhaḍgāḥ । mahoragāścāpi bhayāddravanti sagaurakr̥ṣṇāḥ sarabhāścamaryaḥ ॥ 21 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''vr̥kā varāhā mahiṣarkṣaśalyā gopucchaśālāvr̥kamarkaṭāśca । anyatra kṣudrā hariṇāḥ śaśādayaḥ carantyabhītā yadanugraheṇa ॥ 22 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''sa gharmataptaḥ karibhiḥ kareṇubhiḥ vr̥to madacyutkalabhairanudrutaḥ । giriṁ garimṇā paritaḥ prakampayan niṣevyamāṇo'likulairmadāśanaiḥ ॥ 23 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''saro'nilaṁ paṅ‌kajareṇurūṣitaṁ jighran vidūrān madavihvalekṣaṇaḥ । vr̥taḥ svayūthena tr̥ṣārditena tat sarovarābhyāśamathāgamad drutam ॥ 24 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''vigāhya tasmin amr̥tāmbu nirmalaṁ hemāravindotpalareṇuvāsitam । papau nikāmaṁ nijapuṣkaroddhr̥taṁ ātmānamad‌bhiḥ snapayangataklamaḥ ॥ 25 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''sa puṣkareṇod‌dhr̥taśīkarāmbubhiḥ nipāyayan saṁsnapayanyathā gr̥hī । ghr̥ṇī kareṇuḥ karabhāṁśca durmado nācaṣṭa kr̥cchraṁ kr̥paṇo'jamāyayā ॥ 26 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''taṁ tatra kaścinnr̥pa daivacodito grāho balīyāṁścaraṇe ruṣāgrahīt । yadr̥cchayaivaṁ vyasanaṁ gato gajo yathābalaṁ so'tibalo vicakrame ॥ 27 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tathā<nowiki>''turaṁ yūthapatiṁ kareṇavo vikr̥ṣyamāṇaṁ tarasā balīyasā । vicukruśurdīnadhiyo'</nowiki>pare gajāḥ pārṣṇigrahāstārayituṁ na cāśakan ॥ 28 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''niyudhyatorevamibhendranakrayoḥ vikarṣatorantarato bahirmithaḥ । samāḥ sahasraṁ vyagaman mahīpate saprāṇayościtramamaṁsatāmarāḥ ॥ 29 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tato gajendrasya manobalaujasāṁ kālena dīrgheṇa mahānabhūd vyayaḥ । vikr̥ṣyamāṇasya jale'vasīdato viparyayo'bhūt sakalaṁ jalaukasaḥ ॥ 30 ॥''</blockquote>

(20) '''T'''he leader of the elephants, who in the company of his wives lived in the forest, one day wandered around on that mountain and [searching for water] broke through many thickets full of thorns, creepers and all kinds of trees and plants. (21) Just his smell was enough to make all the lions and other beasts of prey, the other elephants, the rhinoceroses, big snakes and the white and black camarî deer flee in fear. (22) By his mercy the foxes, boars, buffaloes, bears, porcupines, gopucchas and other deer, wolves, monkeys and small animals like rabbits and such, could freely roam without fear. (23-24) Dripping from his temples and agitated [in musth] he, surrounded by intoxicated, drinking bees and followed by the other he and she elephants and the young in their midst, made the earth all around the mountain tremble. From a distance smelling the water with the pollen of the lotus flowers carried by the breeze he, with his thirsty company and his vision clouded under the influence, hurried for the bank of that lake. (25) Entering its pellucid, cool water he with his trunk drank his fill from the nectarean lotus pollen mixture, took a good bath and was thus relieved of all fatigue. (26) Drawing the water with his trunk and spraying it over him, he inspired his wives and children also to take a bath and drink. Thus being engaged he, like a concerned householder being overly attached to his family, took under the control of the deluding material world, no heed of any possible danger. (27) Then the lot fell to him that his foot, oh King, right there was caught by a mighty and angry crocodile. The elephant thereupon with all his strength strenuously tried to get out of this dangerous position. (28) When the wives saw that their leader was suddenly attacked and captured, they in shock started to lament. But the other elephants trying to free him from behind, were equally helpless. (29) While the elephant and the crocodile this way were fighting, pulling one another in and out of the water, a thousand years passed in which they both stayed alive. That, oh King, was a thing the immortal souls considered most wonderful. (30) Gajendra, the elephant king, in the period thereafter more and more lost his strength because of the fatigue of having fought so long against being pulled into the water. The crocodile by contrast, was at home in the water and became more frantic, strong and powerful over the years.<ref name=":0">Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 8, [http://bhagavata.org/downloads/bhagavatam-canto8.html#2 Chapter 2].</ref><blockquote>तत्रैकदा तद्‌गिरिकाननाश्रयः करेणुभिर्वारणयूथपश्चरन् । सकण्टकं कीचकवेणुवेत्रवद् विशालगुल्मं प्ररुजन् वनस्पतीन् ॥ २० ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>यद्‍गन्धमात्राद्धरयो गजेन्द्रा व्याघ्रादयो व्यालमृगाः सखड्गाः । महोरगाश्चापि भयाद्द्रवन्ति सगौरकृष्णाः सरभाश्चमर्यः ॥ २१ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>वृका वराहा महिषर्क्षशल्या गोपुच्छशालावृकमर्कटाश्च । अन्यत्र क्षुद्रा हरिणाः शशादयः चरन्त्यभीता यदनुग्रहेण ॥ २२ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>स घर्मतप्तः करिभिः करेणुभिः वृतो मदच्युत्कलभैरनुद्रुतः । गिरिं गरिम्णा परितः प्रकम्पयन् निषेव्यमाणोऽलिकुलैर्मदाशनैः ॥ २३ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सरोऽनिलं पङ्‌कजरेणुरूषितं जिघ्रन् विदूरान् मदविह्वलेक्षणः । वृतः स्वयूथेन तृषार्दितेन तत् सरोवराभ्याशमथागमद् द्रुतम् ॥ २४ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>विगाह्य तस्मिन् अमृताम्बु निर्मलं हेमारविन्दोत्पलरेणुवासितम् । पपौ निकामं निजपुष्करोद्धृतं आत्मानमद्‌भिः स्नपयन्गतक्लमः ॥ २५ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>स पुष्करेणोद्‌धृतशीकराम्बुभिः निपाययन् संस्नपयन्यथा गृही । घृणी करेणुः करभांश्च दुर्मदो नाचष्ट कृच्छ्रं कृपणोऽजमायया ॥ २६ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>तं तत्र कश्चिन्नृप दैवचोदितो ग्राहो बलीयांश्चरणे रुषाग्रहीत् । यदृच्छयैवं व्यसनं गतो गजो यथाबलं सोऽतिबलो विचक्रमे ॥ २७ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>तथाऽऽतुरं यूथपतिं करेणवो विकृष्यमाणं तरसा बलीयसा । विचुक्रुशुर्दीनधियोऽपरे गजाः पार्ष्णिग्रहास्तारयितुं न चाशकन् ॥ २८ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>नियुध्यतोरेवमिभेन्द्रनक्रयोः विकर्षतोरन्तरतो बहिर्मिथः । समाः सहस्रं व्यगमन् महीपते सप्राणयोश्चित्रममंसतामराः ॥ २९ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>ततो गजेन्द्रस्य मनोबलौजसां कालेन दीर्घेण महानभूद् व्ययः । विकृष्यमाणस्य जलेऽवसीदतो विपर्ययोऽभूत् सकलं जलौकसः ॥ ३० ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''tatraikadā tad‌girikānanāśrayaḥ kareṇubhirvāraṇayūthapaścaran । sakaṇṭakaṁ kīcakaveṇuvetravad viśālagulmaṁ prarujan vanaspatīn ॥ 20 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''yad‍gandhamātrāddharayo gajendrā vyāghrādayo vyālamr̥gāḥ sakhaḍgāḥ । mahoragāścāpi bhayāddravanti sagaurakr̥ṣṇāḥ sarabhāścamaryaḥ ॥ 21 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''vr̥kā varāhā mahiṣarkṣaśalyā gopucchaśālāvr̥kamarkaṭāśca । anyatra kṣudrā hariṇāḥ śaśādayaḥ carantyabhītā yadanugraheṇa ॥ 22 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''sa gharmataptaḥ karibhiḥ kareṇubhiḥ vr̥to madacyutkalabhairanudrutaḥ । giriṁ garimṇā paritaḥ prakampayan niṣevyamāṇo'likulairmadāśanaiḥ ॥ 23 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''saro'nilaṁ paṅ‌kajareṇurūṣitaṁ jighran vidūrān madavihvalekṣaṇaḥ । vr̥taḥ svayūthena tr̥ṣārditena tat sarovarābhyāśamathāgamad drutam ॥ 24 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''vigāhya tasmin amr̥tāmbu nirmalaṁ hemāravindotpalareṇuvāsitam । papau nikāmaṁ nijapuṣkaroddhr̥taṁ ātmānamad‌bhiḥ snapayangataklamaḥ ॥ 25 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''sa puṣkareṇod‌dhr̥taśīkarāmbubhiḥ nipāyayan saṁsnapayanyathā gr̥hī । ghr̥ṇī kareṇuḥ karabhāṁśca durmado nācaṣṭa kr̥cchraṁ kr̥paṇo'jamāyayā ॥ 26 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''taṁ tatra kaścinnr̥pa daivacodito grāho balīyāṁścaraṇe ruṣāgrahīt । yadr̥cchayaivaṁ vyasanaṁ gato gajo yathābalaṁ so'tibalo vicakrame ॥ 27 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tathā<nowiki>''turaṁ yūthapatiṁ kareṇavo vikr̥ṣyamāṇaṁ tarasā balīyasā । vicukruśurdīnadhiyo'</nowiki>pare gajāḥ pārṣṇigrahāstārayituṁ na cāśakan ॥ 28 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''niyudhyatorevamibhendranakrayoḥ vikarṣatorantarato bahirmithaḥ । samāḥ sahasraṁ vyagaman mahīpate saprāṇayościtramamaṁsatāmarāḥ ॥ 29 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tato gajendrasya manobalaujasāṁ kālena dīrgheṇa mahānabhūd vyayaḥ । vikr̥ṣyamāṇasya jale'vasīdato viparyayo'bhūt sakalaṁ jalaukasaḥ ॥ 30 ॥''</blockquote>

== गजेन्द्रस्य शरणागतिः ॥ Complete surrender of Gajendra ==

== गजेन्द्रस्य शरणागतिः ॥ Complete surrender of Gajendra ==