In the religious traditions of India, the elephant has been described as a symbol of royalty, majesty, power, intelligence, curiosity, destructive power, and grasping power. Elephants are said to have highly evolved souls. According to Hindu mythology, in ancient times elephants used to have wings. The story of mothers seeing elephants in their dreams before the birth of an important person or a sage has also come to the fore many times.
Elephants Hold the Earth
According to mythology, the 8 most powerful elephants are holding this earth on their heads. They are called Ashta Diggaj. They all hold the earth on their heads by being situated in all eight directions. All these elephants are standing on a tortoise named Akupaar. In Valmiki Ramayan, there is mention of 4 elephants handling the four directions. In later stories, their number is said to be 8. Their names are Airavat, Anjan, Mahapadma, Pundarik, Vaman, Kumud, Sarvabhaum, Supratik and Pushpadanta.
Airavat, the best among Elephants
Airavat, which came out during the Samudra Manthan, was presented to Devraj Indra as a vehicle. It has got the status of the best among the elephants. Bhagwan Krishna has compared himself to Airavat, the best among the elephants in Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta. Airavat elephant has been mentioned with great reverence and respect in Buddhist and Jain religions as well.
Lakshmi’s Vehicle, Elephant
The elephant has been associated with good luck and prosperity in Sanatan Dharma. Apart from the vehicle of Indra, the vehicle of Gajalakshmi, a form of Mata Lakshmi, is also a white elephant. Anyway, two elephants do the consecration of Mata Lakshmi. In ancient idols, Mata Lakshmi is shown as being performed Jalabhishek on by two elephants.
Elephant’s Relationship with Ganesh
Ganesh, the Lord of the Shiva Ganas, also has the head of an elephant. His large head is considered a symbol of wisdom, intelligence, and thinking power. His trunk represents grasping power. While his large ears represent vigilance.
Elephants from Mahabharat
In addition to the description of 8 giant elephants in Mahabharat, two famous elephants have got a special place. The first elephant is Ashwatthama. which was killed by Bhim. and at the behest of Krishna, Yudhishthir informed Dronacharya about the death of this elephant.
“Ashwatthama Hato Naro va Kunjar:” means “Ashwatthama was killed. Not a human, but an elephant.” Dronacharya’s son was also named Ashwatthama.
The second famous elephant of Mahabharat is Suprateek. King Bhagdatta of Pragjyotishpur fought to ride this elephant. This elephant was also killed by Bhima. Hastinapur, the capital of the Kauravs in the Mahabharat, is also named after Hasti, which means elephant. It is said that elephants were abundant in Hastinapur. Apart from this, the name of a king of the Kuru dynasty was Hastin, after whom the capital, Hastinapur was settled.
Sri Ram’s favorite elephant
The method of rearing elephants has been mentioned in detail in Yajurved. By the way, elephants have also been described in detail in Valmiki Ramayan. But the description of a special elephant comes in the form of the favorite elephant of Shri Ram. The name of this elephant is Shatrunjay. When Shri Ram was leaving for exile, he donated this beloved elephant to his Guru’s son, Suyadnya. There is also a mention of teeth marks of the Airavat elephant on the chest of Ravan in Sundarkaand of Ramayan.
Alexander’s Army overwhelmed by Elephants
Elephants played an important role in warfare in ancient India. Alexander had great difficulty in fighting the Indian kings because they maintained a large herd of trained elephants. The role played by the battle tanks in today’s India was played by the war elephants in those days. Those herds of elephants had crushed their army of Alexander and destroyed his plans to advance in the interior of India.
Multipurpose Elephant
The kings did not keep elephants confined only to war. but also employed them in construction work and the clearing of forests. Till a short time ago, elephants were used to build roads and carry wood in remote areas.
Elephant, the royal symbol
There used to be dynasties in the name of elephants in India. like a dynasty named Gajapati that ruled parts of southern and eastern India. We are told by the writings of Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya, that the king used to keep people to catch and domesticate wild elephants. They are also used during festivals and public processions. But somewhere in today’s era, elephants have become captive. And they keep coming in contact with human negligence and cruelty. So have you seen how important are elephants in Hindu Sanatan Dharma? If you have liked this video, please do ‘like’ and share it.
