Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 29
Trikūṭa Mountain, Ṛtumat Garden, and the Beginning of Gajendra’s Crisis
नियुध्यतोरेवमिभेन्द्रनक्रयो- र्विकर्षतोरन्तरतो बहिर्मिथ: । समा: सहस्रं व्यगमन् महीपते सप्राणयोश्चित्रममंसतामरा: ॥ २९ ॥
niyudhyator evam ibhendra-nakrayor vikarṣator antarato bahir mithaḥ samāḥ sahasraṁ vyagaman mahī-pate saprāṇayoś citram amaṁsatāmarāḥ
O Hari, sa ganitong paraan naglaban ang elepante at ang buwaya, hinihila ang isa’t isa papasok at palabas ng tubig, sa loob ng isang libong taon. Nang makita ng mga diyos ang labang ito ng dalawang nilalang na kapwa buhay pa, sila’y lubhang namangha.
FAQs
This verse states that their struggle continued for one thousand years, with each dragging the other between land and water, astonishing even the demigods by its extraordinary endurance.
He highlights the intensity and prolonged nature of Gajendra’s crisis, setting the stage for the deeper teaching that only wholehearted surrender to the Lord brings final deliverance.
Material strength and struggle can continue for a long time without resolution; the Bhagavatam points the seeker toward turning to sincere prayer and surrender when ordinary efforts cannot free one from suffering.