Gajendra Moksha is an episode of divine triumph. It refers to the liberation (‘moksha’) of the ruler (‘indra’) of the elephant (‘gaja’) world, by none other than Lord Vishnu, from the clutches of the lake-dwelling crocodile. The painting that you see on this page depicts the victorious aftermath of the battle between Vishnu and the crocodile.
Mount Trikuta (‘tri’ is Sanskrt for three; ‘kuta’, for peak) is in the background, teeming with elephants and flora and other wildlife. Lord Vishnu is borne across the heavens on the wings of Garuda, His vahana; His wife, Devi Lakshmi, is seated right next to Him. At the banks of the lake, Gajendra prostrates Himself at the feet of His saviour, who blesses Him with eternal liberation (from the cycle of birth and death and rebirth).
Devotees of Vishnu, with their hands in the namaskaram mudra, occupy a major part of the canvas. In a quiet corner of the heavens, He commands worship from His otherworldly devotees. Such a Tanjore painting, with gold embellishment on each figure as well as the Vishnu chariot and temple, would be a fine addition to the home or office of a Vaishnavite.
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