On May 14th 2014, Jaya Varusha Chithirai Swathi, The day of Chitra Pournami, Gajendra Moksham celebrated in a very grand manner at Srirangam. I am giving below some excerpts of slokas from Gajendra moksham, Vishnupuraanam.
Nakaakranthe muukulitha nayane moola moolethi kinne,
Naaham, naaham, na chaaham, nacha
bhavathi punaha thaadrusho maadrusheshu,
Ithyevam thyaktha hasthe suragane bhavasoonye samasthe,
Moolam yaha praaduraaseeth sa dhisathu bhagavan mangalam santhatham naha.
The king of elephants or better known as Gajendra Azhwan, made a trunk call, trumpeted, and sent an SOS, addressed as “Adimoolam” It was crying with all its might as ‘Adimoolemey’ but none of the Gods wanted to answer the call, because they thought that they did not deserve to be called Adimoolam. Only Lord NaRAYANA RUSHED TO THE RESCUE OF HIS DEVOTEE WHO had offered prapatti by his complete self surrender at the feet of the Lord. One other sloka is as follows.
Aabhibhrano rathaangam saramasimabhayam shankhachapou sakhetau Hasthaihi kaumodakam apyavathu harirasau amhasaam samhathernaha. tharrkshyam aaruhya vyagoornan maalya parikaro megha gambhira goshaha
As the Lord heard the distress call, he mounted the Garuda, the divya ayudhas clung themselves to him. He started in a hurry that is Sarabasam, the mala was dishevelled , his dress was in a disorderly state. Even then he hurried, the Chakra darted in advance and killed the crocodile. The poet says, such a great Lord who is known for his Soulabhya, may protect us. Here we have to recall the Rama charama slokam.
Sakrutheve prapannaya thavaasmi ithi yachathe, abhayam
sarvaboothebhyao dhadhami yethath vratham mama.
We have to note the word ‘sarva boothebhyo’. The person, or thing is referred to here. He need not be a human being. It can be an animal, bird or inanimate object. Only thing required is that it should say thava asmi and He immediately protects the thing or person. We know Garudaazhwar the bird and Ananthaazhwar who is a reptile or a snake. These are not human beings and are elevated as Azhwars. This proves his Soulabhyam.Lot of Bhaagavathas took part in the Gajendra moksham to Sri Andal of Srirangam and had the blessings of Namperumal
These are some of the photos taken during the occasion..
Writeup Courtesy : T.S.Rajagopalan.
Photography : Sri Ramalingam Elangovan & Srikaran
Good photos and write-up,the trunk-call pun is particularly apt.
Excellent photography of an all important festival if
Sri.Ranganatha. Well done: Keep it up. Ramani Srinivasan
Excellent Photos. Good dharshan of Lord Sri Renganathar.
Thank you. Keep it up for aasthikas like me. once again thanks.
Excellent photos and write up. Thanks.