GAjendra Moksham-A Few Questions
GAjendra Moksham-A Few Questions
GAjendra Moksham-A Few Questions
Mahadesikaya nama:
Gajendra Moksham-
A few Questions
We also think many a time that our parents, brothers and sisters or
other relatives can save us, without grasping the plain fact that “oru
jeevanukku oru jeevan tanjam allan”. One frail mortal cannot
afford refuge to another, and those whom we look up to for
rescuing us from this sea of samsara, are themselves sailing in a
leaky boat likely to capsize any moment.
Thus Gajendra was confident in the early years of the struggle that
his own strength and the combined muscle power of all his kith
and kin could pull him out of the crocodile’s grasping teeth. It was
only when the concerted effort failed to have any effect, that he
realised the impossibility of the situation and decided to appeal to
the Omnipotent Lord for succour. And the moment the pachyderm
performed Sharanagati, Emperuman descended from the heavens
to save it from certain death.
We are told that all the time that the devout pachyderm was
struggling for his life and limb, the Lord did not bat an eyelid, till
the animal’s cry for succour reached Him. Then He rushed in and
saved the elephant. This is funny. If the Lord indeed has boundless
affection for His devotees, should He not rush to their aid the
moment they are in trouble, rather than waiting for a SOS call from
the afflicted person? How can He callously witness all their
suffering and then save them at the very end, like the policemen in
cinemas who rush in with a lot of bravado after the hero has
successfully battled with and tied up the gangsters?
The fact of the matter is that the Lord cannot bear the suffering of a
true devotee for even a second more than necessary. The pain of
the thousand years was necessary to make the elephant understand
that one is totally incapable of saving oneself, and that others too
of our race competent for the task. Once the pachyderm learnt the
lesson and appealed to the Lord for succour, Emperuman could not
bear even a second’s delay in rushing to the aid of the Sharanagata.
Stories apart, the fact of the matter is that while the crocodile could
have very well been destroyed by proxy, Gajendra’s happiness at
the Lord’s appearance on the scene and his joy in feasting his eyes
on the divine form, could not have been achieved without
Emperuman’s personal presence. One of the important purposes of
the Lord’s avataras is “ParithrANAya sAdhUnAm”. While mere
“thrANam” or protection can be afforded even without the Lord
being present, “ParithrANam” or comprehensive protection
includes affording the devotee the immeasurable bliss of seeing the
Lord, and could not be carried out without Emperuman
materializing in person.