Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 28
Trikūṭa Mountain, Ṛtumat Garden, and the Beginning of Gajendra’s Crisis
तथातुरं यूथपतिं करेणवो विकृष्यमाणं तरसा बलीयसा । विचुक्रुशुर्दीनधियोऽपरे गजा: पार्ष्णिग्रहास्तारयितुं न चाशकन् ॥ २८ ॥
tathāturaṁ yūtha-patiṁ kareṇavo vikṛṣyamāṇaṁ tarasā balīyasā vicukruśur dīna-dhiyo ’pare gajāḥ pārṣṇi-grahās tārayituṁ na cāśakan
Pagkaraan, nang makita ng mga inahing elepante ang pinuno ng kawan na si Gajendra na hinihila nang mabilis ng mas malakas na buwaya, sila’y labis na nalungkot at napaiyak. Ninais tumulong ang ibang elepante sa paghawak mula sa likuran, ngunit dahil sa lakas ng buwaya ay hindi nila siya mailigtas.
FAQs
This verse shows that even sincere allies and great strength may fail against a stronger destiny; such helplessness prepares the soul to seek the Lord’s shelter beyond material support.
Because the crocodile was “balīyān”—stronger in that situation—and despite the herd’s intense effort and lamentation, their material power was insufficient to free Gajendra.
Do your best with available support, but recognize limits; when solutions fail, turn inward to prayer, humility, and sincere surrender to God rather than despair.