Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.2.28
तथातुरं यूथपतिं करेणवो
विकृष्यमाणं तरसा बलीयसा ।
विचुक्रुशुर्दीनधियोऽपरे गजा:
पार्ष्णिग्रहास्तारयितुं न चाशकन् ॥ २८ ॥
tathāturaṁ yūtha-patiṁ kareṇavo
[tathaaturam yootha-patim karenavo]
vikṛṣyamāṇaṁ tarasā balīyasā
[vikrishyamaanam tarasaa baleeyasaa]
vicukruśur dīna-dhiyo ’pare gajāḥ
[vichukrushur deena-dhiyo ’pare gajaah]
pārṣṇi-grahās tārayituṁ na cāśakan
[paarshni-grahaas taarayitum na chaashakan]
Word-for-word
tathā
—
then
āturam
—
that grave condition
yūtha-patim
—
the leader of the elephants
kareṇavaḥ
—
his wives
vikṛṣyamāṇam
—
being attacked
tarasā
—
by the strength
balīyasā
—
by the strength (of the crocodile)
vicukruśuḥ
—
began to cry
dīna-dhiyaḥ
—
who were less intelligent
apare
—
the other
gajāḥ
—
elephants
pārṣṇi-grahāḥ
—
grasping him from behind
tārayitum
—
to free
na
—
not
ca
—
also
aśakan
—
were able.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tathāturaṁ yūtha-patiṁ kareṇavo
tathā
then
āturam
that grave condition
yūtha-patim
the leader of the elephants
kareṇavaḥ
his wives
vikṛṣyamāṇaṁ tarasā balīyasā
vikṛṣyamāṇam
being attacked
tarasā
by the strength
balīyasā
by the strength (of the crocodile)
vicukruśur dīna-dhiyo ’pare gajāḥ
vicukruśuḥ
began to cry
dīna-dhiyaḥ
who were less intelligent
apare
the other
gajāḥ
elephants
pārṣṇi-grahās tārayituṁ na cāśakan
pārṣṇi-grahāḥ
grasping him from behind
tārayitum
to free
na
not
ca
also
aśakan
were able.
Thereafter, seeing Gajendra in that grave condition, his wives felt very, very sorry and began to cry. The other elephants wanted to help Gajendra, but because of the crocodile’s great strength, they could not rescue him by grasping him from behind.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Seeing suffering Gajendra suddenly pulled away by the strong crocodile, his distressed wives began to cry. The other assistant elephants could not rescue him.
The female elephants, distressed in mind, seeing him being pulled away, just cried. Those who were helping him get free (pārṣṇi-grahāḥ) were unable to free him.
Personal Guidance
Gajendra's wives weep and the herd cannot rescue him from behind. In a true crisis, family love is real but not powerful enough. Recognize the limits of even sincere human help, so that you do not delay turning to the Lord by hoping others will pull you out.
Reflection Questions
- Where am I waiting for family or friends to do what only the Lord can do?
- How does honoring their limits free both them and me?
My note
Source: vedabase.io