Englishമലയാളം

Gajendramoksham

Living Tradition · The Present Day

Blue-skinned Vishnu is seen atop his mount Garuda, just having released his weapon sudarsana chakra at the crocodile Makara. The elephant Gajendra in seen standing over the river, crying and holding up a lotus flower in distress. His leg is being attacked by the crocodile Makara emerging from the water. However, Vishnu’s sudarsana chakra has already pierced its neck. There are sages, celestial women and even Indra onlooking the scene from above with folded hands or anjali mudra showing admiration to Vishnu.

Narrative

Textual Source
Bhagavata Purana
Mythological Tale
This is a replica of the common depiction of Gajendramoksham found in Kerala mural paintings. The scene shows Gajendra or the elephant being attacked by a crocodile Makara, but in a moment of devotion, prays to Vishnu holding up a lotus flower. Vishnu appears atop his mount Garuda and rescues Gajendra from the clutches of the crocodile. The elephant is actually the reincarnation of the devoted King Indradyumna who was transformed into an elephant due to the curse of Agastya. As Gajendra surrendered himself completely to Vishnu, he attained moksha. This tale invites the devotee to completely surrender themselves to God in order to attain moksha.
Episode
Gajendra Moksham

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure
Vishnu
Secondary Figures
Indra, Narada; Sages; Apsaras or celestial women
Iconographic Form
Gajendramoksham
Iconographic Attributes
Blue-skinned, six-armed Vishnu is seen atop saffron-skinned Garuda. He is holding a bow and arrow in two of his hands, a shankh or conch, mace, lotus flower, and sword are being held in each of his other hands. The sixth arm is raised to the sky, after releasing the sudarsana chakra at the crocodile. Gajendra is grey-skinned and is depicted as crying out in prayer while holding up a lotus flower towards the sky. The crocodile is minuscule compared to other figures and the sudarsana chakra is digging into its throat.
Visual & Formal Features
Background pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa
Veera

Spatial & Architectural

Temple
Sanctum
Zone within Temple
Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence
3
Adjacent Panels
Vetta Shasthav, Hiranyakashipu Vadham

Condition & Documentation

Condition
Good
Deterioration Type
Pigment loss
Restoration Status
Unrestored
Documentation Type
DSLR full panel
Permission Basis
Temple authorities
Date of Documentation
22/08/2024
Artist
Senthil
Identifier
THL_P003
Rights / Notes
These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.