The Story of Durbaasha Rishi & Gajinder (The Elephant)

Introduction to Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala

These short stories have been taken from Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala and translated into English. The purpose of translating these stories is to provide understanding and emphasise its significance when reciting Gurbaani and Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran.

The Sikh Gurus, Bhagats and Bhatt (bards) within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have made references to various great saints and disciples who existed at the time of the Hindu deities in different Yugas. These narratives are presented not to venerate Hindu deities; rather, they serve solely as references to illustrate the value of faith and understanding the importance of meditating upon the Lord’s Name.

The stories provide examples from the lives of many revered saints, aristocrats and common people serving as parallels for understanding the power and immense greatness of the One Lord, Vaheguru. They highlight the importance of living by faith and Dharma, and how meditation upon the Primal Lord leads to liberation from sin and misfortune.

The Story of Durbaasha Rishi

Durbaashaa Rishi was the son of Atar Muni. He is believed to be the incarnation of Shiva. When he was a young man, he married Aoruv Muni's daughter, Kandli. Despite performing a great amount of meditation, he was an extremely angry and egoistic person. He granted many people with boons, but he also cursed many people. He also cursed Shakuntla, so that Dukhyant would forget her. He granted Daraupati with a boon so that her body always remained covered.

When he was married, he vowed that he would forgive the hundred sins that his wife had committed. When he forgave her, he became so angry with himself he turned her into ashes. Aoruv Muni cursed Durbaashaa for this. 

One day, Durbaashaa set out on a journey to a religious pilgrimage site. There resided a young child, who decided to play joke on Durbaashaa. His joke was this; he tied an iron bowl around his waist so that he looked like a pregnant woman. He dressed himself as a woman and approached Durbaashaa. He asked Durbaashaa, "O Rishi, will I have a son or daughter?"

Durbaashaa realised that there was an iron bowl hidden beneath the young boy's clothes.

Durbaashaa replied, "You will give birth to an iron bowl, which will destroy Yaadvas' lineage!"                 

ਦੁਰਬਾਸਾ ਸਿਉ ਕਰਤ ਠਗਉਰੀ ਜਾਦਵ ਏ ਫਲ ਪਾਏ ॥

The Yaadvas deceived Durbaasaa and received their rewards.

(Bhagat Naam Dev Ji; GGSJ: Ang 693)

The Story of Gajinder (The Elephant)

There were once two brothers named Hotha and Brahma. They both lived together and meditated together a lot. One day they both decided that they will both attempt to try and get a reward from a Raja.

For some reason, Hotha received more rewards than Brahma. Brahma felt that he was rewarded less and his brother received much more than him; therefore, he would need to equalise with him. He divided the rewards equally and said to Hotha, "Choose which share you want?"

Hotha: "No! This cannot happen; I will take what is rightfully mine! Why did you divide the rewards?"

Brahma: "Why are you being so stubborn?"

Hotha: "Stubborn? This is you being greedy! Just because you were given a small reward, you decided to divide the shares up without my permission! Give me my rightful share back!"

Brahma: "If I am greedy then you are like a crocodile. If you don't give me this share, then I will curse you. I will turn you into a crocodile and throw you into the river."

Hotha: "If I am a crocodile then you will become an elephant, who will come to the river to drink water and when you do, I will grab you, drown you and kill you! Remember this!"

Hotha left his share with Brahma and went home. After some time, both brothers died and in their next birth Hotha became a crocodile and Brahma became an elephant. Both animals went in a dirty and very deep river. It was a very hot day, and the elephant (Brahma) felt thirsty. He went towards the river to have a drink of water, and the crocodile (Hotha) was watching him. He grabbed Brahma's legs and began to pull him into the river. When the elephant was about to fall in the water, he began to trumpet really loud. The crocodile made many attempts to drown the elephant. All you could see was Brahma's trunk and the tip of his head.

Now elephants are said to be intelligent animals and this elephant was. He remembered his past life as Brahma. The elephant raised his trunk up high towards the sky and remembered the Lord. “O Dear Lord, I have become an elephant in this life, please have mercy upon me and get me out of this river. Listen to my supplication.”

ਏਕ ਨਿਮਖ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਅਰਾਧਿਓ ਗਜਪਤਿ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰੇ ॥੨॥
The elephant remembered the Lord in his mind for an instant and so was carried across.
(Guru Arjan Dev Ji; GGSJ: Ang 999)

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj reminds us within his Baani that the elephant remembered the Lord and in an instance the Lord saved the elephant. Guru Ji explains that this is the greatness of the Lord's meditation. The elephant (Brahma) remembered the Lord and the Lord listened to his prayer and sent a chakar (disc), which cut all the crocodile's legs. The elephant's life was emancipated, and he became a Bhagat in his next life.

ਬਲੁ ਛੁਟਕਿਓ ਬੰਧਨ ਪਰੇ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਹੋਤ ਉਪਾਇ ॥
My strength is exhausted, and I am in bondage; I cannot do anything at all.
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਬ ਓਟ ਹਰਿ ਗਜ ਜਿਉ ਹੋਹੁ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੫੩॥
Says Nanak, now, the Lord is my Support; He will help me, as He did the elephant. ||53||

(Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji; GGSJ: Ang 1429)

Editor's Note: The elephant is referenced many times in Siri Guru Granth Sahib. One more example is by Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib in the sloks praying to God to save him as "You saved the elephant":

--------------------------------------------------------

Related Articles:

Part I: Raja Ambrik

Part II: Bhagat Angra ji and Bhagat Bidar

Part III: Sri Dhru Bhagat & Sri Prahladh Bhagat ji

Part IV: The Story of Ajaamal

Part V: The Story of Bhagat Sudama

Part VI: The story of Gotam Muni & Ahalia

Part VII: The Story of Raja Janak

Part VIII: The Story of Raja Bali

Part IX: The Story of Ajraja-Akrur

Part X:The Story of Bhisham Pitaama 

Part XI: The Story of Chandar Hans

Part XII: The stories of Durbaasha Rishi and Gajinder (the Elephant)

Part XIII:The Stories of Kubija Maalan and Oudhar

Part XIV:The Story of Sarvan Bhagat

Part XV: The Story of Rishi Balmeek 

Part XVI: The Stories of Sankaadik and Rukmaangudh

Part XVII: The Story of Sukdev Muni

Part XVIII: Madhusudan Demon Destroyer

Part XIX: Mother Daraupti

Part XX: The Story of Ganika

Part XXI: Sulhi & Sulbi Khan's Evil Conspiracy

Part XXII: The Story Raja Hari Chand

Part XXIII: The Story of Kaesee Dainth

Part XXIV: The Story of Raagmaala