Apt names

The Vishnu Sahasranama describes Lord Narayana as Anantaroopa, because He assumes different forms to save His devotees, said M.A. Venkatakrishnan in a discourse. Although ten avataras are usually spoken of, the Lord took many more avataras. The name Jitamanyuh means One who has conquered anger. The name is apt in the case of the Lord, for He not only saved the elephant whose foot was caught in the jaws of the crocodile, but also the crocodile itself that was in fact a Gandharva who had taken that form because of a curse. And the Lord’s act of killing it liberated the Gandharva from the curse, and granted him moksha.

The Lord is Anantasri, because whatever He wants to give to His devotees is readily available with Him. He is Bhayaapahah, because He gets rid of our fears. He is Chaturasrahah, because whatever He does, He does with care. He doesn’t make mistakes even when He is angry. When He came to help Gajendra, He was very angry with the crocodile, but this did not cloud His thoughts. He had decided to kill the crocodile, but before killing it, He checked how much of the elephant’s foot was caught in its jaws. Had he not checked, He might have severed Gajendra’s foot while cutting off the crocodile’s head with His discus. So, He ensured that using His discus would not hurt Gajendra.

He is Gabheeraatma, because of the speed with which He came to rescue Gajendra. Even Brahma could not comprehend the depth of the Lord’s actions. He is Vidisah — beyond even the praises of Brahma and others. He grants them their wishes and so He is Vyaadisah. He is Anaadi. He rushed to help Gajendra, the elephant. But there are many who approach Him for petty boons, not knowing that He is the Supreme One.