Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 20
Gajendra’s Prayers and the Appearance of Lord Hari
Gajendra-stuti and Hari-darśana
एकान्तिनो यस्य न कञ्चनार्थं वाञ्छन्ति ये वै भगवत्प्रपन्ना: । अत्यद्भुतं तच्चरितं सुमङ्गलं गायन्त आनन्दसमुद्रमग्ना: ॥ २० ॥ तमक्षरं ब्रह्म परं परेश- मव्यक्तमाध्यात्मिकयोगगम्यम् । अतीन्द्रियं सूक्ष्ममिवातिदूर- मनन्तमाद्यं परिपूर्णमीडे ॥ २१ ॥
ekāntino yasya na kañcanārthaṁ vāñchanti ye vai bhagavat-prapannāḥ aty-adbhutaṁ tac-caritaṁ sumaṅgalaṁ gāyanta ānanda-samudra-magnāḥ
Unalloyed devotees, who have no desire other than to serve the Lord, worship Him in full surrender and always hear and chant about His activities, which are most wonderful and auspicious. Thus they always merge in an ocean of transcendental bliss. Such devotees never ask the Lord for any benediction. I, however, am in danger. Thus I pray to that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is eternally existing, who is invisible, who is the Lord of all great personalities, such as Brahmā, and who is available only by transcendental bhakti-yoga. Being extremely subtle, He is beyond the reach of my senses and transcendental to all external realization. He is unlimited, He is the original cause, and He is completely full in everything. I offer my obeisances unto Him.
anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ
FAQs
This verse highlights that true surrendered devotees are one-pointed (ekāntinaḥ), seek no separate material gain, and naturally glorify the Lord’s auspicious pastimes while absorbed in spiritual bliss.
In his prayerful surrender, Gajendra contrasts pure devotion with bargaining for benefits—showing that genuine refuge in Bhagavān is characterized by selfless love and constant glorification.
Practice single-minded devotion by reducing “transactional” prayer, and cultivate daily kīrtana/recitation of the Lord’s deeds—letting remembrance and gratitude become the main goal.