Gajendra, Gaja-indra: 9 definitions

Introduction

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Vaishnavism
2. Purana
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Gajendra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Gajendra (गजेन्द्र).—The king of the elephants. He was saved from a crocodile by Lord Viṣṇu and awarded liberation.

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Gajendra (गजेन्द्र).—The legend of Viṣṇu freeing the elephant in trouble. While wandering in the hills, this lord of elephants felt thirsty and entered a lake in the Trikūṭa hill. While drinking water, a crocodile caught hold of its feet. Finding himself on the brink of death, Gajendra bestowed his thought on Hari on account of the vāsana of the previous birth. Pleased with his prayer, Hari flew on Garuḍa with his cakra and released the animal from the crocodile. The elephant attained a form like that of Hari. This elephant was in his previous birth a Pāṇḍyan king by name Indradyumna devoted to Hari but cursed by Agastya to be born as elephant.¹ Hari blessed Gajendra who got mokṣa by satsaṅga.² Hence Gajendramokṣa.³

1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 19. 35: VIII. 1. 30: 2. 20-33: 3 (whole): 4. 6-25.
2) ibid. X. 71. 9: XI. 12. 6.
3) ibid. II. 7. 15-16.

1b) The Airāvata which came out of the churning of the ocean of milk. It was taken up by Indra.^*

* Matsya-purāṇa 251. 3.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Gajendra (गजेन्द्र).—

1) an excellent elephant, a lordly elephant; किं रुष्टासि गजेन्द्रमन्दगमने (kiṃ ruṣṭāsi gajendramandagamane) Ś. Til.7; ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां (airāvataṃ gajendrāṇāṃ) Bg.1.27.

2) Airāvata, Indra's elephant.

3) Name of a tree; गजेन्द्र- कुसुमाकीर्णम् (gajendra- kusumākīrṇam) Mb.13.132.12. °कर्णः (karṇaḥ) an epithet of Śiva.

Derivable forms: gajendraḥ (गजेन्द्रः).

Gajendra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms gaja and indra (इन्द्र).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gajendra (गजेन्द्र).—m.

(-ndraḥ) 1. A large and excellent elephant. 2. Indra'S elephant E. gaja, and indra chief.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gajendra (गजेन्द्र).—[masculine] a noble elephant (lit. chief of the elephants).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gajendra (गजेन्द्र):—[from gaja > gaj] m. = ja-rāja, [Mahābhārata i; Nalopākhyāna xii, 40]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gajendra (गजेन्द्र):—[gaje+ndra] (ndraḥ) 1. m. Indra's elephant.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Relevant text

Search found 21 books and stories containing Gajendra, Gaja-indra; (plurals include: Gajendras, indras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Text 22 < [Chapter 1 - Prathama-yāma-sādhana (Niśānta-bhajana–śraddhā)]

Text 32 < [Chapter 2 - Dvitīya-yāma-sādhana (Prātaḥ-kālīya-bhajana)]

Text 10 < [Chapter 3 - Tṛtīya-yāma-sādhana (Pūrvāhna-kālīya-bhajana–niṣṭhā-bhajana)]

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Verse 1.2.21 < [Part 2 - Devotional Service in Practice (sādhana-bhakti)]

Verse 1.2.37 < [Part 2 - Devotional Service in Practice (sādhana-bhakti)]

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Part 56 - Treatment for chronic diarrhea (28): Grahani-gajendra rasa < [Chapter III - Jvaratisara fever with diarrhoea]