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
Die reinen, einspurig hingegebenen Gottgeweihten, die nichts begehren außer dem Dienst und sich dem Bhagavān völlig ergeben haben, hören und besingen stets Seine höchst wunderbaren und glückverheißenden Taten und versinken so in einem Ozean transzendenter Wonne. Da ich jedoch in Gefahr bin, bete ich zu jenem unvergänglichen Parabrahman, dem höchsten Herrn: unmanifest, nur durch bhakti-yoga erreichbar; jenseits der Sinne, so subtil, als wäre Er fern; unendlich, Urgrund und in allem vollkommen. Ihm erweise ich Verehrung.
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.