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| Lord Vishnu, Gajendra the elephant and crocodile |
According to the Puranas, Swarglok is one of the fourteen worlds in the universe. Indra is the king there. In his court, some beautiful apsaras and Gandharvas sing melodious songs. These Gandharvas are said to have been created by Brahma through his laughter or sage Kasyapa through his penance.
Mount Kailash is Lord Shiva's abode. To the north of this Kailash is the Gandharvlok. Gandharvas also have the power to fly in the air, heal wounds, and talk with birds, and animals. Gandharvas' marriage is consensual and without any rituals. Some Gandharvas have half-human and half-animal bodies. Guarding the SomRasa in heaven is also their other duty.
In this Gandharvalok there was a handsome Gandharva named Huhu. Gandharva women were very fond of him. Huhu, who often came to earth with these women, once bathed with them in a river. They were having fun splashing water on each other.
On the other side of the same river, a sage named Devala was dipping while meditating on God. Proud of his handsomeness, Huhu, for the amusement of the Gandharva women, plunged into the depths of the water and pulled the leg of the sage Devala. Fearing that a crocodile was pulling him, the sage flapped his limbs and somehow came out of the water. Finding the Gandharvas laughing at him, he was furious. Cursing him to be born as a crocodile. Frightened, the Gandharva ran after him, fell at his feet, and begged for forgiveness. "An elephant named Gajendra will free you from the curse," the Muni said leaving from there.
In a country called Pandiya Nadu, there was a king named Indradyumn. Belonging to the Vaishnava sect, he was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. In his old age, he built a cottage on the side of the Malay hill and led a hermit life. Thus, one day, when he was in deep meditation, Sage Agastya came there with his disciples. Indradyumn, sitting with his eyes closed, did not greet him. Angered, Sage Agastya cursed him to be born as a foolish elephant and left.
There was a beautiful mountain called Trikuta. In that forest lived Gajendra, the king of elephants, with his queen elephants. Unable to bear the heat of the summer sun, Gajendra along with his companions, was wandering in the forest in search of water, breaking the trees that came into his way. The other animals in the forest were scared and started running because of the roar of these elephants. On their way, they saw a beautiful lake. Without delay, the group of elephants entered the lake and started swimming. As time passed, a fierce crocodile sat at a distance, watching them. and he slowly moved towards Gajendra. The bathing of the elephants continued, with little regard for the crocodile.
The fierce crocodile, in a rush, caught Gajaraja's leg. The elephant started to stagger to escape from his grip. The other elephants panicked and rushed to the bank, seeing Gajendra's plight and relenting. A couple of elephants took courage and tried to drive the crocodile away. But from the strong jaws of the crocodile, they could not free Gajendra.
Thus, a thousand years passed. Both animals did not back out. While the crocodile's grip was getting stronger, Gajendra's strength was diminishing day by day. Then the elephant started crying and screaming for help. "My wives, children and friends are not able to help me in my trouble. If there is a god, he might help me." Thinking that, the elephant concentrated his mind even in pain and began to pray, "Oh Lord save me." He remembered his previous birth and started reciting all the hymns he could recall.
Time was rolling. Even the demigods, who were looking at everything from heaven in amazement, stood helpless. Lord Vishnu saw the cry of this elephant and could not endure it. He immediately left Vaikuntha, thinking that if he delayed, the elephant would suffer more pain. Gajendra, who had lost his will for life, was in tears. The hardness of the crocodile's teeth kept getting stronger. Meanwhile, the sound of Garuda's wings was heard there. Gajendra the elephant immediately picked up a lotus flower on his trunk and roared.
When the crocodile did not listen to Vishnu's words to release the elephant, Lord Vishnu released his Sudarshan disc from his hand. The disc that severed the mouth of the crocodile, returned the hands of the Supreme Lord. The crocodile sank into the water in pain. Then the heavenly gods clapped and showered flowers. Within moments, the dead body of the crocodile floated out of the water. From its dead body, Huhu appeared and bowed to the lord and flew away to his Gandharvlok.
Vishnu touched Gajendra and healed his wounds instantly. Maharaja Indradyumn appeared in the place of the elephant and bowed down to Vishnu. Vishnu, who seated him with him on Garuda, proceeded to Vaikuntha.
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