Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 25
Gajendra’s Prayers and the Appearance of Lord Hari
Gajendra-stuti and Hari-darśana
जिजीविषे नाहमिहामुया कि- मन्तर्बहिश्चावृतयेभयोन्या । इच्छामि कालेन न यस्य विप्लव- स्तस्यात्मलोकावरणस्य मोक्षम् ॥ २५ ॥
jijīviṣe nāham ihāmuyā kim antar bahiś cāvṛtayebha-yonyā icchāmi kālena na yasya viplavas tasyātma-lokāvaraṇasya mokṣam
Ayaw ko nang mabuhay pa sa katawan ng elepanteng ito na nababalot ng kamangmangan sa loob at labas. Ano ang silbi ng katawang ito? Ang tanging hangad ko ay ang walang hanggang kalayaan mula sa belo ng kamangmangan, na hindi kayang sirain ng panahon.
In this material world, every living entity is covered by the darkness of ignorance. Therefore the Vedas enjoin that one should approach the Supreme Lord through the spiritual master, who is described and offered prayers in the Gautamīya-tantra as follows:
FAQs
This verse shows Gajendra rejecting both earthly survival and heavenly enjoyment, praying only for moksha—freedom from the inner and outer covering that hides true self-awareness.
In the crisis of being seized by the crocodile, Gajendra realizes that all material destinations—here or in higher worlds—remain under the same veil of fear and ignorance, so he seeks only Lord Vishnu’s liberating grace.
Prioritize spiritual clarity over status or pleasure: practice devotion, prayer, and detachment to reduce fear-based identity and seek lasting freedom through remembrance of God.