#vishnugod

According to Hindu beliefs, in the Holy Trinity, there are three Gods- Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Mahesh. Brahma is the Creator, Vishnu is the protector, and Mahesh or Mahadev is the destroyer. Lord Vishnu the protector or preserver of the cosmos. He upholds the universal laws. Unlike Shiva, who resides in the wilderness, Vishnu participates in worldly affairs. He is here to ensure order in the universe. Read on to know more about Vishnu's magnanimity.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu sleeps on the coils on Sheshnag. Sheshnag, the python, floats in the ocean supporting Vishnu while Vishnu dreams about the universe. Whenever there is chaos in the world, Vishnu mounts his vehicle and battles the forces, or send one of his Avatars to save anyone who is in distress. Here is an account of how Lord Vishnu saves the life of Gajendra.

There lived many elephants in a thick forest. The elephant king Gajendra took care of his herd. His herd was an ardent Vishnu devotee. They all took a daily bath in the nearby pond. Like always, they were taking a shower. Suddenly, they spotted a beautiful lotus in the pond. Gajendra was mesmerised by the beauty of the lotus and waded towards it. He plucked the flower with his trunk and was returning. He stepped on the shore when one of his legs got stuck.

There was a crocodile in the water which caught one of Gajendra's leg. He tried hard to free himself but of no use. His herd wanted to help him, but could not. A struggle was on, but the crocodile refused to let go. The duel went on. Gajendra realised he could not free himself. Being a devotee of Lord Vishnu, he cried out for divine help Adhimoolame, Abayam meaning Oh Lord Vishnu! Save me.

On hearing this, Lord Vishnu flew on his mount, Garuda, and descended on Earth. With the help of his Sudarshan Chakra, Vishnu saved Gajendra from the crocodile's mouth. According to folklore, when Gajendra got wisdom, the crocodile was also in heaven as Lord Vishnu killed him.

Gajendra, in his previous life, was Indradyumna, who was a great king. One day great sage Agastya came to visit him, but the king did not welcome him with respect according to expectations. Agastya got angry and gave a curse to the king to become an elephant in his next birth. Indradhyumna transformed into an elephant and Gandhara turned into a crocodile after a curse. And they finally attain Moksha.

Legend has it that people in nearby villages believe in the fact that devotees who pray to Lord Vishnu attain Moksha.

To conclude