Emperor Parikshit who was keenly listening to Maharishi Śuka’s narration, instantly posed a question, “O Maharishi Śuka! How did the Supreme Lord Hari rescue Gajendra from the clutches of the crocodile? I am keen to hear this from you.
The glory of that Supreme Lord is extremely pure! The story which extols His glories is the most supreme among all stories! The ever-pure glories of the Supreme Lord shower wealth. His pious stories are the residence for auspiciousness in entirety”.
Applauding the emperor, Maharishi Śuka addressed him and, even as all the assembled sages were keenly and joyfully listening to him, began to narrate the story.
With this the first chapter of the eighth canto comes to an end.
Eighth Canto Chapter Two
In this chapter, the crocodile catching the leg of elephant-king Gajendra is explained.
Maharishi Śuka continued, “O Emperor Parikshit, there is a very famous mountain called Trikuṭa, which is 80,000 miles (10,000 yojanas) in height and in width. It is surrounded by Milk-ocean on all sides.
This beautiful Trikūṭa Mountain has 3 primary peaks made of gold, silver and iron, which through their radiance, illumine the oceans, their surroundings and the skies. All the other peaks of this Mountain are made of precious stones and precious metals. With their different colours they glow radiantly.
The varied types of trees, creepers, bushes, and the sounds of the gushing waterfalls, enhance the beauty of the mountain from all directions. The waves from the Milk-ocean touch the foothills of the mountain adding to its beauty”.
It appears as if the scenes in many fantasy films are copied from the descriptions given in Bhagawatam, Ramayana and other such ancient texts. From these texts it is proven that such lands did exist in the past.
“This mountain is laden with gleaming emerald stones, whose radiance cause the soil to illumine in black colour. Celestials such as Vidyadharas, Gandharvas, Cāraṇās, Siddhas, Nāgās, Kinnaras and Apsarasas reside within its mountain caves. These caves reverberate with melodious musical sounds.
Upon hearing these reverberating sounds, proud lions believing that other lions are loudly roaring at them, turn towards the mountain caves and, filled with envy, roar loudly. Filled with many varied forms of wildlife, the valleys of the mountain appear very beautiful. Devatas wander leisurely in the exquisite gardens found within these valleys. Birds seated on the many exquisite trees chirp melodiously. The water in the ponds, lakes and streams is crystal clear and pure. Divine damsels playfully bathe in these rivers while birds seated on the trees chirp melodiously. As they bathe, the waters in the streams appear colourful and the wind which blows over these streams carries their divine fragrance and spreads it everywhere. The gleaming sands found on the banks of these rivers and streams appear like heaps of precious stones.
In these valleys is located the garden of Lord Varuna, who was filled with feelings of oneness towards everyone. This garden, also known as ṛtumat, was a famed one. Many divine damsels freely wander in this garden. In all seasons, the trees in this garden are laden with fruits and flowers belonging to heaven.
The garden is filled with many hibiscus, pārijāta , aśoka and jasmine plants. Vineyards replete with different types of grapes vines, orchards filled with different varieties of mango trees, jackfruit trees, ambāḷa, arecanut, coconut, date palms, mādiphala, arjuna trees, palmyra trees, Indian butter tree, sacred lingam tree, vegisa tree, soap nut tree, figs, cluster figs, banyan tree, black-oil plant, sandalwood trees, neem trees, mountain ebony, deodar, sugarcane, plantain, jamun, jujube, vattiver, gooseberry, bael tree, wood apple, lemon, cashew fruit and other trees could be found everywhere throughout the garden.
Within this vast garden was a huge lake that had in it many golden glittering lotuses. It was filled with white lilies, black lilies, chengaluva lilies and lotus flowers which enhanced its beauty significantly. The area reverberated with the chirping of cuckoos and many other varieties of birds and with the humming of the intoxicated male bees.
Swans, kāranḍava birds, chakravaka birds and cranes filled the lake entirely without leaving any gap. The calls of the water ducks, herons, bharata-pakṣi and other birds reverberated through the place. The zig-zag movement of the fish and the tortoises disturbed the blooming lotuses causing their pollen to fall into the waters. This resulted in the water being filled with lotus pollen. On the banks of the lake many exquisite trees and grasses grew”.
Swamiji explains: The trees, plants, herbs and flowers mentioned here need repeated listening. We will be astonished upon listening to the sheer number of trees and herbs that were available in those eons. Nature (Prakṛti) is being described here.
“Pagoda flowers, gorinṭa, kankeḷi, dariśana, linseed, gāra, uttareṇi, yerra tenkai, ponna, suraponna, gooseberry, crab’s eye, plantain and many other varieties of trees along with the fragrant jasmines that grew on the creepers enhanced the exquisiteness of the lake”.
Padmanabhaya namah