Shloka 18
Trikūṭa Mountain, Ṛtumat Garden, and the Beginning of Gajendra’s Crisis
८.२.१४-१९ बिल्वै: कपित्थैर्जम्बीरैर्वृतो भल्लातकादिभि: । तस्मिन्सर: सुविपुलं लसत्काञ्चनपङ्कजम् ॥ १४ ॥ कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारशतपत्रश्रियोर्जितम् । मत्तषट्पदनिर्घुष्टं शकुन्तैश्च कलस्वनै: ॥ १५ ॥ हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णं चक्राह्वै: सारसैरपि । जलकुक्कुटकोयष्टिदात्यूहकुलकूजितम् ॥ १६ ॥ मत्स्यकच्छपसञ्चारचलत्पद्मरज:पय: । कदम्बवेतसनलनीपवञ्जुलकैर्वृतम् ॥ १७ ॥ कुन्दै: कुरुबकाशोकै: शिरीषै: कूटजेङ्गुदै: । कुब्जकै: स्वर्णयूथीभिर्नागपुन्नागजातिभि: ॥ १८ ॥ मल्लिकाशतपत्रैश्च माधवीजालकादिभि: । शोभितं तीरजैश्चान्यैर्नित्यर्तुभिरलं द्रुमै: ॥ १९ ॥
bilvaiḥ kapitthair jambīrair vṛto bhallātakādibhiḥ tasmin saraḥ suvipulaṁ lasat-kāñcana-paṅkajam
All around, the lake was beautified by kunda, kurubaka, aśoka, śirīṣa, kūṭaja, iṅguda, kubjaka, and by svarṇa-yūthī, nāga, punnāga, and jātī trees. Many fragrant blossoms made the banks exquisitely charming.
Judging from the exhaustive description of the lakes and rivers on Trikūṭa Mountain, on earth there is no comparison to their superexcellence. On other planets, however, there are many such wonders. For instance, we understand that there are two million different types of trees, and not all of them are exhibited on earth. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam presents the total knowledge of the affairs of the universe. It not only describes this universe, but also takes into account the spiritual world beyond the universe. No one can challenge the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam’s descriptions of the material and spiritual worlds. The attempts to go from the earth to the moon have failed, but the people of earth can understand what exists on other planets. There is no need of imagination; one may take actual knowledge from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and be satisfied.
FAQs
These verses describe a vast, radiant lotus-filled lake surrounded by many fragrant trees and filled with swans and other birds—setting the serene sacred scene before Gajendra’s ordeal and prayer.
He establishes the setting of Gajendra’s life—an opulent, peaceful environment—so the listener understands that even amid worldly beauty, danger can arise and only devotion to Lord Viṣṇu becomes the true refuge.
Cultivate a calm, sattvic environment, but remember that external comfort is not ultimate security—develop steady bhakti so that in sudden crises the mind naturally turns to the Lord.