Shloka 6
Gajendra’s Prayers and the Appearance of Lord Hari
Gajendra-stuti and Hari-darśana
न यस्य देवा ऋषय: पदं विदु- र्जन्तु: पुन: कोऽर्हति गन्तुमीरितुम् । यथा नटस्याकृतिभिर्विचेष्टतो दुरत्ययानुक्रमण: स मावतु ॥ ६ ॥
na yasya devā ṛṣayaḥ padaṁ vidur jantuḥ punaḥ ko ’rhati gantum īritum yathā naṭasyākṛtibhir viceṣṭato duratyayānukramaṇaḥ sa māvatu
แม้เหล่าเทวดาและฤๅษีผู้ยิ่งใหญ่ยังไม่อาจรู้ถึงฐานะและลักษณะของพระองค์ แล้วผู้มีปัญญาทึบดุจสัตว์จะเข้าใจหรือกล่าวได้อย่างไร? ดุจนักแสดงบนเวทีที่สวมเครื่องแต่งกายงดงามและร่ายรำหลากท่า จนผู้ชมไม่อาจหยั่งรู้ ฉันใด พระผู้เป็นศิลปินสูงสุดก็ยากจะตามรอย ฉันนั้น ขอพระองค์ทรงคุ้มครองข้าพเจ้า
A similar understanding was expressed by Kuntīdevī. The Supreme Lord exists everywhere, within and without. He even exists within the heart. Sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo; īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe ’rjuna tiṣṭhati. Thus it is indicated that one can find the Supreme Lord within one’s heart. There are many, many yogīs trying to find Him. Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ . Nonetheless, even great yogīs, demigods, saints and sages have been unable to understand the bodily features of that great artist, nor could they understand the meaning of His movements. What then is to be said of ordinary speculators like the so-called philosophers of this material world? For them He is impossible to understand. Therefore we must accept the statements given by the Supreme when He kindly incarnates to instruct us. We must simply accept the word of Lord Rāmacandra, Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and follow in Their footsteps. Then it may be possible for us to know the purpose of Their incarnations.
FAQs
This verse says that even devas and sages cannot fully know His true position, so a conditioned soul cannot adequately reach or describe Him; His līlā is difficult to trace, and thus one should seek His protection through surrender.
While helpless in danger, Gajendra prays with humility, acknowledging that the Lord’s nature and pastimes surpass ordinary speech and intellect—strengthening his mood of dependence on divine grace rather than personal ability.
Adopt humility: accept the limits of speculation, focus on sincere prayer and devotional hearing/chanting, and rely on the Lord’s protection rather than ego or mere intellectual mastery.