Sincere prayer of elephant

Gajendra Moksha

Indradyumna was a king known for his virtues. His ways were honest and he was concerned for his subjects. He was deeply spiritual. Once, he called a meeting of his ministers and told them that he wanted to live in the forest to devote all his time in worshipping Lord.

The king went to the Kulachal Moutains and made his home in a small cottage. He observed a vow of silence and immersed himself in meditation of Lord Vishnu. One day, Sage Agastya came to the Kulachal Moutains with his disciples. On seeing Indradyumna not reacting or welcoming them, Sage Agastya mistook it for pride. He cursed Indradyumna in anger and turned him into an elephant. Lord Vishnu witnessed this from Vaikunth (His Divine abode), and smiled.

Having become an elephant, King Indradyumna began roaming in the forest. Once he came across a big herd of elephants. To be accepted by the other elephants of the gang, Indradyumna defeated the head elephant. He was crowned the new leader of the herd, and came to be known as Gajendra. One day, Gajendra decided to move with his herd to Trikuta Mountains, which he considered a better place then Kulachal.

After storming their way through the Trikuta forest, the herd of elephants proceeded towards a lake. They were not aware that it was a crocodile's home. 

The crocodile did not like the herd entering his place. In a mood of attack, he moved towards Gajendra.

Deciding to teach Gajendra a lesson, the crocodile caught hold of Gajendra's leg. The faithful herd of elephants tried to save their leader but no matter how hard they tried, were no match to the immense strength the crocodile seemed to posses. Eventually, they gave up and Gajendra requested them to move on without him, as he did not want to put the rest of the herd in danger.

The crocodile was sinking his teeth so hard in Gajendra's leg that the pain become unbearable. The elephant tried his best to free his leg from the crocodile's grasp, but did not succeed. Finally, he turned to Lord Vishnu and humbly surrendered himself in devotion to Him. He called out the Lord with his sincere prayer to come and rescue him. With tears in his eyes, Gajendra plucked a lotus flower from the lake and called upon the Lord wholeheartedly. “Oh Lord! Only you…only you can help me now…no one else is there for me any more“.

On hearing his devotee's prayer, Lord Vishnu immediately left Vaikunth and mounting on Garuda, rushed down to earth to rescue him.

Lord Vishnu released his discus and struck the crocodile like lightning, freeing Gajendra's leg. Gajendra was overjoyed to see his Lord, and offering a lotus flower, paid obeisance to Him. Lord Vishnu blessed Gajendra and with His Divine touch, the elephant King regained his human form as Indradyumna. He thanked Lord Vishnu for protecting him and requested the Lord to take him to Vaikunth. This is how Gajendra, the elephant king attained God with his devotion.

The crocodile who was a gandharva by name Huhu was once having bath in river, and there came a rishi to have his bath. Huhu tried playing tricks to the rishi who became very angry and cursed gandharva to turn to a crocodile.Thus Huhu was released from the curse only after the touch of Lord Vishnu.

A sincere prayer of the devotee does not go unanswered by the Lord. Always keep God in your thoughts and believe that He protects you at all times.

Bal Bhakta Dhruv

Long ago, there lived a King named Uttanpad. He had two wives, Suniti and Suruchi, and two sons. Suniti's son was Dhruv and Suruchi's son was Uttam. They were both five years old. King Uttanpad was very fond of his younger queen Suruchi, so he stayed with her. He rarely went to Suniti. Dhruv, the elder son, loved his father. So, Dhruv used to visit his father often. Suruchi did not like this. She wanted the king to love only her son, Uttam.

One day, Dhruv saw his brother Uttam sitting in his father's lap and playing. He rushed to give him a hug and sit on his lap too. Queen Suruchi stopped him and said, "You are not my son, so you shall not sit on your father's lap."

On hearing this, Dhruva looked at his father hoping that he would stop Suruchi and take him on his lap. But his father did not say anything and ignored him. Dhruv was very hurt. With tears in his eyes, he went home to his mother.

Queen Suniti was very sad to hear what had happened to her son. Dhruv asked her why his father loved him less. She comforted him and replied unhappily, "The king loves Queen Suruchi and not me. So, the king does what she wants, and neglects you. I am helpless."

"Mother, is there no other way I can get my father's love?" asked Dhruv. His mother Suniti consoled and instructed little Dhruv:

1. If you have to beg for something, let that be from God.

2. However much you ask of a human being, it will be little.

3. Suruchi has spoken words of truth, even if you want the throne, pray to the Lord!

4. When God gives, He gives in plenty.

5. God is the true Father of all us. He will make you sit on His lap with love.

6. If you get a vision of Lord Narayan, all your troubles will end.

7. Go to the forest and perform penance.

8. I am not sending you alone, my blessings and God are with you.

Hearing this, Dhruv decided to seek Lord Narayan. he took his mother's blessings and left for the jungle.

On his way, he met Narad, the closest devotee of Lord Narayan. Sage Narad tested Dhruv, " it is not easy to meet Lord Narayan. You are very young.You are just a small child. The forest is full of dangerous animals. How will you bear the winter's cold, the summer heat and torrential rain? Go back home and play with your friends instead." Dhruv was very determined to see Lord Narayan at any cost. His determination pleased Narad, who taught Dhruv the sadhana (spiritual practice) that help him see the Lord.

Dhruv started worshipping Lord Narayan. With every breath, he chanted the mantra in praise of God. For the first month, he lives only on fruits. After that, he lived on leaves and water. Finally, he lived on air alone. The penance was so intense that it heated up all the worlds. Devotees rushed to Lord Narayan and prayed to Him to pacify Dhruv by granting him his wish.

Lord Narayan was pleased with Dhruv's penance. He appeared before him and blessed him, "O child! Your father and all the others will love you dearly hereafter. Go back to your kingdom. You will become a great king and rule your kingdom for a long time. After our life on the earth, you will become the Dhruv star and shine brightly in the sky. All the great planets and even the seven rishis will revolve around you."

Dhruv became a wise king and ruled for many years. He spread the message of peace and justice in his kingdom. When he died, he became a star in the sky. This star, called the pole Star or Dhruv Tara is still seen shining in the sky. It is the only star that has a permanent place and does not change its position in the sky. All the other stars and constellations move around it throughout the year. Travellers look up to the Dhruv Tara in the night to find their way.

Even today, Dhruv is remembered as a great devotee of Lord Narayan.