Shloka 35

The Slaying of Hiraṇyākṣa and the Triumph of Varāha

Devanagari script

यो गजेन्द्र झषग्रस्तं ध्यायन्तं चरणाम्बुजम् । क्रोशन्तीनां करेणूनां कृच्छ्रतोऽमोचयद् द्रुतम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

yo gajendraṁ jhaṣa-grastaṁ dhyāyantaṁ caraṇāmbujam krośantīnāṁ kareṇūnāṁ kṛcchrato ’mocayad drutam

Translation

The Lord swiftly delivered Gajendra, king of elephants, seized by a crocodile, as he meditated upon the Lord’s lotus feet; the she-elephants at his side cried out in distress.

Synonyms

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative pronoun)

• गजेन्द्रम्: Gajendra
• गजेन्द्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गजेन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• झषग्रस्तम्: seized by a fish/crocodile
• झषग्रस्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: झष + ग्रस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कृदन्त-क्त (seized), विशेषण (adjective) गजेन्द्रम्-विशेषणम्

• ध्यायन्तम्: meditating upon
• ध्यायन्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कर्तरि शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; गजेन्द्रम्-विशेषणम्

• चरणाम्बुजम्: the lotus-feet
• चरणाम्बुजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण + अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘चरणयोः अम्बुजम्’ (lotus-like feet)

• क्रोशन्तीनाम्: of (those) crying
• क्रोशन्तीनाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्रुश् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कर्तरि शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; करेणूनाम्-विशेषणम्

• करेणूनाम्: of the female elephants
• करेणूनाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करेणु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कृच्छ्रतः: from distress
• कृच्छ्रतः: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कृच्छ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb: from distress)

• अमोचयत्: released/delivered
• अमोचयत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; causative sense (णिच्): ‘मोचयति’

• द्रुतम्: quickly
• द्रुतम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्रुतम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; शीघ्रार्थक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of speed)

Purport

The example of the elephant in danger who was saved by the Supreme Lord is especially cited here because even if one is an animal he can approach the Personality of Godhead in devotional service, whereas even a demigod cannot approach the Supreme Person unless he is a devotee.

Characters & Entities

• Gajendra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Lord saving Gajendra?

This verse recalls that the Lord swiftly delivered Gajendra when he was seized by a crocodile, because Gajendra meditated on the Lord’s lotus feet in distress.

Why is meditation on the Lord’s lotus feet emphasized in Gajendra’s deliverance?

The verse highlights that remembrance and focused devotion (dhyāna on the Lord’s caraṇāmbuja) is what draws the Lord’s immediate mercy and protection, even in extreme danger.

How can Gajendra’s prayer and rescue be applied in modern life?

In crisis, turn the mind toward sincere remembrance of the Lord and take refuge in devotion rather than panic—this shloka teaches that heartfelt surrender invites divine help and inner strength.