॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
॥ द्वितीयोऽध्यायः - २ ॥
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Discourse II
The lord of elephants is caught in the grip of an alligator (Preamble)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
आसीद्गिरिवरो राजंस्त्रिकूट इति विश्रुतः ।
क्षीरोदेनावृतः श्रीमान् योजनायुतमुच्छ्रितः ॥ १॥
तावता विस्तृतः पर्यक् त्रिभिः शृङ्गैः पयोनिधिम् ।
दिशः खं रोचयन्नास्ते रौप्यायसहिरण्मयैः ॥ २॥
अन्यैश्च ककुभः सर्वा रत्नधातुविचित्रितैः ।
नानाद्रुमलतागुल्मैर्निर्घोषैर्निर्झराम्भसाम् ॥ ३॥
स चावनिज्यमानाङ्घ्रिः समन्तात्पयऊर्मिभिः ।
करोति श्यामलां भूमिं हरिण्मरकताश्मभिः ॥ ४॥
सिद्धचारणगन्धर्वविद्याधरमहोरगैः ।
किन्नरैरप्सरोभिश्च क्रीडद्भिर्जुष्टकन्दरः ॥ ५॥
यत्र सङ्गीतसन्नादैर्नदद्गुहममर्षया ।
अभिगर्जन्ति हरयः श्लाघिनः परशङ्कया ॥ ६॥
नानारण्यपशुव्रातसङ्कुलद्रोण्यलङ्कृतः ।
चित्रद्रुमसुरोद्यानकलकण्ठविहङ्गमः ॥ ७॥
सरित्सरोभिरच्छोदैः पुलिनैर्मणिवालुकैः ।
देवस्त्रीमज्जनामोदसौरभाम्ब्वनिलैर्युतः ॥ ८॥
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Śrī Śuka began again : There was a great mountain, celebrated by the name Trikūṭa, (which was) encircled by the ocean of milk rich in mineral wealth and was ten thousand Yojanas (or eighty thousand miles) high, O Parikṣit ! (1)
Wide to the same extent (as its height) on all sides, it stood illuminating the ocean (around), the (four) cardinal points as well as the sky with (its) three (principal) peaks of silver, steel and gold (respectively), and lending charm to all the quarters with (its) other peaks rendered picturesque by (their wealth of) precious stones and minerals (of diverse colours), by (their) trees, creepers and shrubs of various description as well as by the murmuring sound of the water of their cascades. (2-3)
With its foot being (constantly) washed by the waves of the ocean on every side, the mountain made the lowlands (enclosing it) look dark green (as if covered by turf) by its emeralds scattered on all sides (by the corrosive action of the waves). (4)
Its caves were frequented by sporting Siddhas (a class of demigods endowed with mystic powers from their very birth), Cāraṇas (celestial bards), Gandharvas (celestial musicians), Vidyādharas (celestial artistes) and great Nāgas (serpent-demons having a human face and serpent-like body) as well as by Kinnaras (another class of celestial musicians with a human figure and the head of a horse or vice versa), and Apsarās (celestial nymphs). (5)
There haughty lions roared in indignation aroused by the suspected presence of another lion, with their face turned towards the part where the caves echoed with the music (of the Kinnaras etc.). (6)
The mountain looked charming with (its) valleys infested by herds of wild beasts of various description. And birds sweetly warbled in (its) celestial gardens rich in a variety of trees. (7)
It was adorned with rivers and lakes of limpid water and banks carpeted with the sands of gems and fanned by breezes charged with drops of water scented with the fragrance lent to it by the bathing of celestial ladies. (8) (1-8)
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तस्य द्रोण्यां भगवतो वरुणस्य महात्मनः ।
उद्यानमृतुमन्नाम आक्रीडं सुरयोषिताम् ॥ ९॥
सर्वतोऽलङ्कृतं दिव्यैर्नित्यं पुष्पफलद्रुमैः ।
मन्दारैः पारिजातैश्च पाटलाशोकचम्पकैः ॥ १०॥
चूतैः प्रियालैः पनसैराम्रैराम्रातकैरपि ।
क्रमुकैर्नालिकेरैश्च खर्जूरैर्बीजपूरकैः ॥ ११॥
मधूकैः शालतालैश्च तमालैरसनार्जुनैः ।
अरिष्टोदुम्बरप्लक्षैर्वटैः किंशुकचन्दनैः ॥ १२॥
पिचुमन्दैः कोविदारैः सरलैः सुरदारुभिः ।
द्राक्षेक्षुरम्भाजम्बूभिर्बदर्यक्षाभयामलैः ॥ १३॥
बिल्वैः कपित्थैर्जम्बीरैर्वृतो भल्लातकादिभिः ।
तस्मिन् सरः सुविपुलं लसत्काञ्चनपङ्कजम् ॥ १४॥
कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारशतपत्रश्रियोर्जितम् ।
मत्तषट्पदनिर्घुष्टं शकुन्तैश्च कलस्वनैः ॥ १५॥
हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णं चक्राह्वैः सारसैरपि ।
जलकुक्कुटकोयष्टिदात्यूहकुलकूजितम् ॥ १६॥
मत्स्यकच्छपसञ्चारचलत्पद्मरजःपयः ।
कदम्बवेतसनलनीपवञ्जुलकैर्वृतम् ॥ १७॥
कुन्दैः कुरबकाशोकैः शिरीषैः कुटजेङ्गुदैः ।
कुब्जकैः स्वर्णयूथीभिर्नागपुन्नागजातिभिः ॥ १८॥
मल्लिकाशतपत्रैश्च माधवीजालकादिभिः ।
शोभितं तीरजैश्चान्यैर्नित्यर्तुभिरलं द्रुमैः ॥ १९॥
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In a (particular) valley of that mountain there existed a garden belonging to the glorious and high-souled Varuṇa (the god of water), which bore the name of Rtumān and was the sporting-ground of celestial ladies. (9)
On all sides it was graced with celestial trees ever full of flowers and fruits and was fenced with Mandāras (acacias), Pārijātas (coral trees), Pāṭalas, Aśokas and Campakas, different species of mangoes, Priyālas and Panasas (bread-fruit trees) as well as with Āmrātakas (hog-plum trees), Kramukas (arecas) and cocoanut-trees, date-palms and Bijapūras (citrons), Madhūkas, Śālas, Palmyras, Tamālas, Asanas, Arjunas, Ariṣṭas (soap-berries), Udumbaras, Plakṣas, banyan trees, Kīṁśukas and sandal-trees, Nimba-trees, Kovidāras, Saralas (a species of pine trees), deodars, vines, sugar-canes, plantains and rose-apples, plum-trees, Akṣas, the yellow myrobalan and myrobalan trees, Bilvas (wood-apples), Kapitthas and Jambiras (lemons), as well as by Bhallātakas (the marking-nut trees) and so on. In that garden there existed a very extensive lake studded with splendid golden lotuses. (10—14)
It looked grand with the splendour of lilies and lotuses of various species (such as Utpalas, Kalhāras and Śatapatras) and was resonant with the humming of intoxicated bees as well as by sweetly warbling birds. (15)
It was swarmed by swans and Kāraṇḍavas (a variety of ducks) as well as by Cakravākas (ruddy geese) and cranes, and resounded with the noise of swarms of water-fowls, Koyaṣṭis (paddy-birds) and Cātakas. (16)
Its water was overlaid with the pollen of lotuses shaking with the movements of fishes and tortoises and was hemmed in with Kadambas, canes, Nalas (a species of reeds), Nipas (a variety of Kadambas) and Vañjulas. (17)
It looked most charming with its Kundas (a species of jasmine), Kurabakas (red amaranths), Aśokas, Śirīṣas, Kuṭajas, Ingudīs, Kubjakas, Swarṇayūthīs (yellow jasmines), Nāgas, Punnāgas and Jātis, Mallikās and Śatapatras, Mādhavīs (spring-flowers), Jālakas etc., as well as with other trees growing on its margin and bearing flowers and fruits during all the seasons. (18-19) (9-19)
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तत्रैकदा तद्गिरिकाननाश्रयः
करेणुभिर्वारणयूथपश्चरन् ।
सकण्टकान् कीचकवेणुवेत्रव-
द्विशालगुल्मं प्ररुजन् वनस्पतीन् ॥ २०॥
यद्गन्धमात्राद्धरयो गजेन्द्रा
व्याघ्रादयो व्यालमृगाः सखड्गाः ।
महोरगाश्चापि भयाद्द्रवन्ति
सगौरकृष्णाः शरभाश्चमर्यः ॥ २१॥
वृका वराहा महिषर्क्षशल्या
गोपुच्छसालावृकमर्कटाश्च ।
अन्यत्र क्षुद्रा हरिणाः शशादय-
श्चरन्त्यभीता यदनुग्रहेण ॥ २२॥
स घर्मतप्तः करिभिः करेणुभि-
र्वृतो मदच्युत्करभैरनुद्रुतः ।
गिरिं गरिम्णा परितः प्रकम्पयन्
निषेव्यमाणोऽलिकुलैर्मदाशनैः ॥ २३॥
सरोऽनिलं पङ्कजरेणुरूषितं
जिघ्रन् विदूरान्मदविह्वलेक्षणः ।
वृतः स्वयूथेन तृषार्दितेन तत्
सरोवराभ्याशमथागमद्द्रुतम् ॥ २४॥
विगाह्य तस्मिन्नमृताम्बु निर्मलं
हेमारविन्दोत्पलरेणुवासितम् ।
पपौ निकामं निजपुष्करोद्धृत-
मात्मानमद्भिः स्नपयन् गतक्लमः ॥ २५॥
स्वपुष्करेणोद्धृतशीकराम्बुभि-
र्निपाययन् संस्नपयन् यथा गृही ।
घृणी करेणुः कलभांश्च दुर्मदो
नाचष्ट कृच्छ्रं कृपणोऽजमायया ॥ २६॥
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In that garden, one day, the leader of a herd of elephants, that had its abode in the forest of that mountain, was roaming about with (a number of) female elephants, breaking (its) thorny trees and a large thicket consisting of various types of bamboos (such as Kicakas) and canes. (20)
Perceiving it by scent alone, lions and (other) leaders of elephants, tigers and other beasts of prey, including rhinoceroses, and even huge serpents, black and white Śarabhas (eight-footed animals, now extinct, represented as stronger than the lion and the elephant) and Camarīs (female yaks) took to flight out of fear. (21)
The weaker animals, viz., wolves, boars, bisons, bears, porcupines, baboons, hyenas and monkeys as well as antelopes, hares etc., fearlessly roamed about elsewhere (outside the range of its sight) by its sufferance. (22)
Surrounded by (other) elephants (of its herd) and female elephants (too) and followed by their youngs, the elephant, that was emitting temporal fluid (all along) and was consequently being dogged by swarms of black-bees that fed on that fluid, was shaking the mountain on every side by its (huge) weight. Scenting from a long distance the breeze blowing from the lake—charged as it was with the pollen of lotuses—and accompanied by its herd, which was (likewise) oppressed with thirst, the elephant now swiftly made to the vicinity of the lake, afflicted as it was by heat, its eyes rolling under the influence of that temporal fluid. (23-24)
Making its way into the lake, bathing itself with its water, and thus relieved of fatigue, it drank to its satisfaction the clear and nectar-like water perfumed with the pollen of golden and blue lotuses with the tip of its proboscis. (25)
Spraying the female elephants as well as their youngs with drops of water drawn by its own trunk and making them drink it, full of compassion (as it was for its herd), like a householder, the proud elephant, infatuated by the deluding potency of the eternal Lord, did not foresee the (impending) peril.(26) (20-26)
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तं तत्र कश्चिन्नृप दैवचोदितो
ग्राहो बलीयांश्चरणे रुषाग्रहीत् ।
यदृच्छयैवं व्यसनं गतो गजो
यथाबलं सोऽतिबलो विचक्रमे ॥ २७॥
तथाऽऽतुरं यूथपतिं करेणवो
विकृष्यमाणं तरसा बलीयसा ।
विचुक्रुशुर्दीनधियोऽपरे गजाः
पार्ष्णिग्रहास्तारयितुं न चाशकन् ॥ २८॥
नियुध्यतोरेवमिभेन्द्रनक्रयो-
र्विकर्षतोरन्तरतो बहिर्मिथः ।
समाः सहस्रं व्यगमन् महीपते
सप्राणयोश्चित्रममंसतामराः ॥ २९॥
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Directed by destiny, O protector of men, some very powerful alligator indignantly seized the elephant by the foot in that lake. Thus fallen into adversity by the will of Providence, that mighty elephant struggled to the utmost of its strength (to shake off the enemy's hold). (27)
Perceiving the leader of their herd being thus forcibly dragged by the mighty foe, and unable to help itself, the female elephants, whose mind was (greatly) perplexed, (merely) shrieked; while the other elephants, even though they tried (their utmost) to help their leader (from behind), could not liberate it. (28)
While the lord of elephants and the alligator were thus contending and pulling each other, the one outside and the other inside, both remaining alive, a thousand years rolled by, O ruler of the earth. The gods (too) looked upon this (event) as (something) strange. (29) (27-29)
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ततो गजेन्द्रस्य मनोबलौजसां
कालेन दीर्घेण महानभूद्व्ययः ।
विकृष्यमाणस्य जलेऽवसीदतो
विपर्ययोऽभूत्सकलं जलौकसः ॥ ३०॥
इत्थं गजेन्द्रः स यदाऽऽप सङ्कटं
प्राणस्य देही विवशो यदृच्छया ।
अपारयन्नात्मविमोक्षणे चिरं
दध्याविमां बुद्धिमथाभ्यपद्यत ॥ ३१॥
न मामिमे ज्ञातय आतुरं गजाः
कुतः करिण्यः प्रभवन्ति मोचितुम् ।
ग्राहेण पाशेन विधातुरावृतो-
ऽप्यहं च तं यामि परं परायणम् ॥ ३२॥
यः कश्चनेशो बलिनोऽन्तकोरगा-
त्प्रचण्डवेगादभिधावतो भृशम् ।
भीतं प्रपन्नं परिपाति यद्भया-
न्मृत्युः प्रधावत्यरणं तमीमहि ॥ ३३॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां अष्टमस्कन्धे
मन्वन्तरानुवर्णने गजेन्द्रोपाख्याने द्वितीयोऽध्यायः ॥ २॥
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After this (due to lack of nourishment, however,) there came about a great depletion of spirit, strength and vitality of the king of elephants, as it was being dragged in water for (such) a long time and was now languishing; while in the case of the alligator (that had its abode in water and derived its nourishment from water) all this (strength etc.), turned out to be otherwise (came to be redoubled). (30)
When the lord of elephants, that looked upon the body (alone) as its self, unexpectedly came face to face with this danger to life and felt (absolutely) powerless, and incapable of liberating itself (from the hold of its enemy), it pondered for a long time and presently arrived at the following conclusion. (31)
(The elephant said to itself,) "These, my kith and kin, have no power to extricate me, fallen in distress (as I am); how (then) can the female elephants do it? (Therefore,) entrapped as I am in the snare of Providence in the shape of the alligator, even I (a beast) flee (for protection) to the Supreme, the ultimate refuge (of all). (32)
Whosoever being the almighty Lord Protects on every side a suppliant very much afraid of the powerful serpent in the form of Death, possessed of terrible speed and advancing in every direction, and from fear of whom Death (himself) runs to and fro (to devour living beings), let us approach Him as our asylum."(33)
Thus ends the second discourse, hinging on the legend of the king of elephants forming part of the story of the Manvantaras, in Book Eight of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahārīsa-Sarhītā. (30-33)
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