Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 1
Gajendra’s Prayers and the Appearance of Lord Hari
Gajendra-stuti and Hari-darśana
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच एवं व्यवसितो बुद्ध्या समाधाय मनो हृदि । जजाप परमं जाप्यं प्राग्जन्मन्यनुशिक्षितम् ॥ १ ॥
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca evaṁ vyavasito buddhyā samādhāya mano hṛdi jajāpa paramaṁ jāpyaṁ prāg-janmany anuśikṣitam
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thus resolved, Gajendra steadied his mind within his heart with clear intelligence and began to chant the supreme japa-mantra he had learned in a previous birth.
Such remembrance is described in Bhagavad-gītā (6.43-44):
FAQs
This verse shows that when one becomes firmly resolved and fixes the mind in the heart, chanting the supreme prayer becomes the direct refuge—even in extreme distress.
In the narrative of Gajendra’s deliverance, he becomes determined, enters inner concentration, and chants a sacred prayer learned in a previous life—indicating awakened devotional memory and surrender.
When overwhelmed, pause, become inwardly steady, and repeat a sincere prayer or holy name with focused attention—turning anxiety into remembrance and surrender.