Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 19
Gajendra’s Prayers and the Appearance of Lord Hari
Gajendra-stuti and Hari-darśana
यं धर्मकामार्थविमुक्तिकामा भजन्त इष्टां गतिमाप्नुवन्ति । किं चाशिषो रात्यपि देहमव्ययं करोतु मेऽदभ्रदयो विमोक्षणम् ॥ १९ ॥
yaṁ dharma-kāmārtha-vimukti-kāmā bhajanta iṣṭāṁ gatim āpnuvanti kiṁ cāśiṣo rāty api deham avyayaṁ karotu me ’dabhra-dayo vimokṣaṇam
Mereka yang menyembah Bhagavān demi dharma, artha, kāma, dan mokṣa memperoleh dari-Nya tujuan yang mereka inginkan; bahkan anugerah lain pun diberikan, kadang tubuh rohani yang tak binasa. Semoga Bhagavān yang maha penyayang menganugerahkan kepadaku pembebasan dari bahaya ini dan dari belenggu hidup materialistis.
Some men within this material world are akāmī, free from material desire, some are ambitious to get more and more material profit, and some desire fulfillment in religious life, economic development, sense gratification and finally liberation.
FAQs
It states that all these goals—religion, prosperity, enjoyment, and even liberation—are attainable by worshiping the Supreme Lord, who grants the devotee the desired destination.
Gajendra emphasizes the Lord’s unlimited power to grant even extraordinary benedictions, and then turns that recognition into a plea for the highest need at that moment—deliverance from bondage and danger.
It encourages prioritizing devotion to God as the root practice, trusting that life’s necessities and even ultimate freedom are best fulfilled when one sincerely takes shelter of the Lord.