When the mighty elephant found himself in the gravest peril, he turned his thoughts inward and contemplated Lord Hari with all his heart. With his entire being, he sought refuge in that very Lord, surrendering himself completely. Through countless births he had practiced devotion to the bearer of Garuḍa’s banner, and now, in this moment of dire need, his steadfast faith bore fruit. Before his eyes, he beheld the radiant form of the Lord—bearing conch, discus, and mace, shining brilliantly like the foam of churned nectar. Longing for deliverance from his distress, the elephant began to recite a hymn of praise, his voice filled with reverence. “Homage to You, O God, who seeks no refuge and is untouched by desire. Again and again, I offer salutations to the One within all, the sole, the unmanifest. Homage, again and again, to the immeasurable, the unfathomable, the incomparable. Salutations to the eternal, the ancient, the primeval one. Salutations to Govinda, the very foundation of the universe. Salutations to the Lord of the universe, the divine one, to Shiva and Hari. Salutations to Nārāyaṇa, who is the universe itself, the supreme self of the gods. Salutations to the supreme person, bearer of the bow, discus, sword, and mace. “Salutations to Acyuta, the best of gods, the granter of boons, praised by Brahmā, Indra, Rudra, sages, and celestial beings. Salutations to the ageless one, clad in yellow garments, destroyer of Madhu and Kaiṭabha, the universe, adorned with a beautiful crown. Salutations to the bestower of boons, the supreme lord, adorned with various wondrous crowns and armlets. Salutations to the bestower of boons, the lord of yogis, pure, whose valor is ever ready to remove obstacles for the lord of gods. “I bow to Nārāyaṇa, whose actions are for the benefit of the self, the great Boar. I take refuge in that god of gods, the ancient person, the one who remains at the end of the ages. I take refuge in Vāsudeva, the knower of the field, the source of the self, the most excellent. I take refuge in that secret of the gods, whom they call the eternal person. I approach that eternal Viṣṇu, the lord, satisfied with unsurpassed virtues, the supreme refuge. I seek refuge in Viṣṇu, Janārdana, of great strength, the treasure of the Vedas, the lord of the gods. “I approach Keśava, clad in yellow garments, adorned with a garland, resplendent with golden brilliance. I take refuge in Acyuta, the self-possessed lord, whose power is that of the Ādityas, Rudras, Aśvins, and Vasus. I take refuge in the subtle, immovable, most excellent one, the giver of fearlessness. I seek refuge in the supreme state attained by ascetics who are free from attachment. I take refuge, with devotion, in the protector of devotees, who is the shelter for those seeking protection. I surrender to Janārdana, the soul of yoga, the great soul. I take refuge in Nārāyaṇa, subtler than the subtle, who is dear to the brāhmaṇas. I ever take refuge in the Lord of gods, subtler than the subtle. “Homage to the thousand-headed, infinite, great soul. All praise to Him, who is the supreme goal of Brahmā and the others. O Subrahmaṇya, salutations to you; protect me, who has sought your refuge.” Hearing this heartfelt praise, Viṣṇu, the bearer of the conch, discus, and mace, was pleased. The Lord of the universe, seated majestically upon Garuḍa, the support of all the worlds and rich in austerity, appeared before the elephant. The immeasurable soul, Madhusūdana, swiftly lifted the elephant from his peril. He freed the king of serpents, who had also sought refuge, from his bonds. The crocodile, having been slain by Kṛṣṇa, ascended to heaven. Thus, at that moment of grave danger, the best of elephants and the gandharvas together were delivered by the grace of the Lord.