ELEPHANT OF THE CLOUDS

ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः

ॐ श्री ऐरावतअरे नमः

ॐ श्री इंद्रभगवाने नमः

OM SRI GANESAYA NAMAHA

OM SRI AIRAVATARE NAMAHA

OM SRI INDRA BHAGAVANE NAMAHA

All our Gods and Goddesses have splendid animals and birds beside them. These exquisite beings are the vahanas or vehicles that carry the deity across the heavens and through the entire universe. They are completely devoted and loyal to the deity.

Ganesha has his mouse Gajamukha, Vishnu rides aboard Garuda, Nandi is Shiva’s vahana, Durga rides a tiger, Laxmi has her owl and Brahma’s vehicle is the swan. The peacock, ram, horse, buffalo, crocodile, raven, tortoise and even the donkey has been singled out by the God’s as their constant companion and invaluable vahana. Only Hanuman it is said has no vahana because being the son of Lord Vayu, the God of wind he can fly where ever he wishes.

Perhaps one of the most magnificent of all the vahanas is Airavata. Airavata is the pure white, winged elephant - the king-god of all the elephants and the mount of Lord Indra, the king of all Gods. This celestial white elephant was gifted to Lord Indra by Lord Brahma.

A very long time ago Lord Indra wished to have an animal escort of his own to take him on his many travels through the universe and as his vehicle during times of war with the Asuras (demons). Accordingly he went to Brahmaloka to ask Lord Brahma, the Lord of creation to furnish him with a suitable animal that would serve him in times of peace and strife.

Brahma heeded Indra’s request and said to him, “I will grant you your request. But for now leave me and return only when I send for you.”

Lord Indra with folded hands thanked Lord Brahma and returned to his palace in Amaravati, the capital city of Swargalok (heaven).

Lord Brahma then summoned Garuda, the mighty eagle who was Lord Vishnu’s vahana. Brahma requested Garuda, “I wish to create a resplendent vahana for Lord Indra. For this I need your assistance.”

Garuda listened intently as Lord Brahma explained, “You must produce a sacred egg from which I will bring to life an extraordinary and divine elephant.”

Garuda promptly hatched an egg and dropped it at Brahmaloka. He then flew back to Vaikuntha on Mt. Meru, the abode of Lord Vishnu. The egg was large and it fell to the ground with a loud thud. Lord Brahma was startled out of his meditation with the sound of the egg dropping. When he opened his eyes there before him lay the perfectly formed and gleaming white egg. Brahma once again shut his eyes and began chanting special mantras. He chanted for quite some time. All of a sudden the sound of the cracking of the egg could be heard distinctly. Then out of the divine egg there appeared a large elephant with four tusks, seven trunks and giant wings. Once out of the egg the spectacular, massive, handsome elephant stood before Lord Brahma and bowed his head in reverence to the Lord. Lord Brahma named the elephant Airavata - the celestial white elephant of Lord Indra. Airavata was certainly perfect as Lord Indra’s escort, vahana and eternal devotee.

Brahma sent for Lord Indra. Indra was most excited to receive Brahma’s summons. He rushed to Brahmalok and was delighted to see the vahana that Brahma had created especially for him. He prostrated before Lord Brahma and thanked him for creating Airavata. With Airavata by his side Indra felt more powerful. Airavata, he knew, would be forever loyal and give him unconditional love and devotion.

Airavata was a sincere devotee of Lord Indra. During peacetime Airavata would take his position at the entrance of Swargalok to protect Indra and all the other devas. In times of war Lord Indra astride the impressive and intimidating Airavata made a truly formidable presence.

Besides being worshipped as king of the Devas, Lord Indra is also worshipped as the God of rain. We humans depend on rainfall to grow crops. It is Lord Indra who saves us from drought and starvation. Unfortunately there came a time when the supply of water fell short and Indra could not provide sufficient rainfall. However, there were huge amounts of water in the underworld. But neither Indra nor the people on earth could access this water. The people were in great distress and were suffering enormous hardship. Indra desperately wanted to help them but could not come up with any solution.

He was deep in thought when Airavata seeing his master so disturbed came to him and asked, “Lord what is it that troubles you? I hate to see you so sad and despondent.”

Lord Indra shared his problem with Airavata, “There is a scarcity of water on earth because I have not been able to provide sufficient rain. People are suffering. I must help them. I know there is an abundant supply of water in the underworld but I am unable to reach it. If I can access that supply of water I can provide plenty of rain and save the people.”

Airavata who was willing to do anything for Lord Indra replied, “Lord I cannot bear to see you so dejected. I will certainly help you. I will use my seven trunks to pull out the water from the underworld.”

Saying this Airavata instantly began siphoning water from the underworld and sprayed it into clouds in the sky. It was not long before the clouds were bursting with water. Indra was filled with joy. He immediately began to bring down to earth the cool rain waters from those clouds. The parched earth thirstily drank the moist drops. Soon after the crops began to sprout and sway in the cool breeze. The harvest was excellent and the people danced, sang and celebrated their good fortune. Lord Indra looked down benevolently at the people who were thanking him for his benediction of rain. However, Indra knew it would not have been possible without Airavata. This is why Airavata is also known as “Ardha-Matanga”, meaning “elephant of the clouds”.

LIFE LESSONS

1. Just as our God’s and Goddesses value and respect animals we too must treat all living beings with kindness and consideration.

2. Just as Airavata was loyal and devoted to Indra our pets too give us unconditional love.

3. Just like Airavata we too should love and be devoted to God.

4. Just as God loves and protects all beings be they great or small we too must never look down or destroy any living being. Every living creature is valuable in its own way.