Elephants

Radharani's pet elephant

Airavat, the king-god of elephants, is the mount of God Indra. This elephant emerged out of the waters when ocean was churned by the Gods. That is why the name is derived from Iravat, (one produced by water). Indra's animal carrier. Each of the deities has an elephant who takes part in the defense and protection of the allocated quarter. The chief amongst them is Airavat of Indra. Airavat has four tusks, and is white in color.

The king of elephants, a human king in his previous life but cursed to be born an animal. Attacked by a crocodile and unable to free himself, Gajendra remembered Lord Vishnu and prayed to Him in full surrender. Lord Vishnu then appeared and saved him.

It appears that the King of the elephants was formerly a human being known as Indradyumna and that he learned a prayer to the Supreme Lord. Fortunately he remembered that prayer and began to chant it to himself. and he was the King of the Tāmila country. Following the Vedic principles, this King retired from family life and constructed a small cottage in the Malayācala Hills, where he always worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead in silence. Agastya Ṛṣi, along with many disciples, once approached King Indradyumna's āśrama, but because the King was meditating on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he could not receive Agastya rsi properly. Thus the rsi became very angry and cursed the King to become a dull elephant