Gajendra
(The Elephant King)

Gajendra was the King of elephants.

One hot day, he proceeded to the lake with his family to cool off in its fresh waters.

But from within the lake a crocodile appeared who attacked him and would not let go of him.

Everyone around him was so frightened of the crocodile, that they left poor Gajendra alone to fend for himself.

But Gajendra knew that God would help him and be by his side.

So Gajendra prayed. If you do not know long prayers, it is alright, speaking to God and telling him your troubles is also a prayer.

And that is what Gajendra did!

Gajendra  prayed:

‘Please help me O Lord! Save me!

I can only be saved by Your Grace!

The Lord rushed to Gajendra’s aid. The latter offered the Lord a lotus flower.

God attacked the crocodile and saved His Loved One.

Gajendra, in his previous life was a great devotee called Indradyumna who was also a great king. One day, Agastya, a great sage came to visit the king. Indradyumna did not receive the Sage with the respect that the latter expected. The enraged Agastya cursed the king to become an elephant in his next birth.

The crocodile in its last life was a king called Huhu.

Once while enjoying himself in the waters, he pulled the leg of a sage. The enraged sage cursed the king to become a crocodile in his next life. The repentant Huhu asked for pardon. The Sage proclaimed that though he could not take back the curse, the crocodile would be forgiven of his sins when Gajendra would be saved by the Lord God Himself.

The story of Gajendra teaches us that it does not matter if you have the body or intelligence of an animal, all you require is a loving heart and God will protect you.