Shloka 30
Trikūṭa Mountain, Ṛtumat Garden, and the Beginning of Gajendra’s Crisis
ततो गजेन्द्रस्य मनोबलौजसां कालेन दीर्घेण महानभूद् व्यय: । विकृष्यमाणस्य जलेऽवसीदतो विपर्ययोऽभूत् सकलं जलौकस: ॥ ३० ॥
tato gajendrasya mano-balaujasāṁ kālena dīrgheṇa mahān abhūd vyayaḥ vikṛṣyamāṇasya jale ’vasīdato viparyayo ’bhūt sakalaṁ jalaukasaḥ
Thereafter, dragged into the water and battling through many long years, Gajendra’s mental resolve, bodily strength, and sensory power were greatly spent. The crocodile, however—being a creature of the waters—grew ever more eager, increasing in physical might and sensual force.
In the fighting between the elephant and the crocodile, the difference was that although the elephant was extremely powerful, he was in a foreign place, in the water. During one thousand years of fighting, he could not get any food, and under the circumstances his bodily strength diminished, and because his bodily strength diminished, his mind also became weak and his senses less powerful. The crocodile, however, being an animal of the water, had no difficulties. He was getting food and was therefore getting mental strength and sensual encouragement. Thus while the elephant became reduced in strength, the crocodile became more and more powerful. Now, from this we may take the lesson that in our fight with māyā we should not be in a position in which our strength, enthusiasm and senses will be unable to fight vigorously. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has actually declared war against the illusory energy, in which all the living entities are rotting in a false understanding of civilization. The soldiers in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement must always possess physical strength, enthusiasm and sensual power. To keep themselves fit, they must therefore place themselves in a normal condition of life. What constitutes a normal condition will not be the same for everyone, and therefore there are divisions of varṇāśrama — brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa. Especially in this age, Kali-yuga, it is advised that no one take sannyāsa.
FAQs
This verse shows that prolonged struggle can exhaust mind, strength, and vitality, bringing a devotee to complete helplessness—often the turning point that leads to wholehearted surrender to the Lord.
Śukadeva explains that as time dragged on, Gajendra was pulled deeper into the water—an unfavorable element for him—so his mental and physical powers steadily diminished.
When problems persist and personal strength runs out, this verse encourages humility and seeking divine shelter rather than relying only on ego-driven struggle.