There lived two Gandharvas named Aaha and OoOoh who mischievously disturbed Devala Rishi while he was performing penance in water. One assumed the form of a crocodile and the other took the form of an elephant to mock and trouble the sage. Angered by their behaviour, Devala Rishi cursed them to be born in those very forms. However, due to a brief act of pleasing the sage, one Gandharva was blessed to first become a king and later an elephant.

In his next birth, the king became a mighty elephant known as Gaja Raja. Proud of his strength and leadership, he roamed freely with his herd through forests and lakes. One day while entering a lake, a crocodile caught his leg. A fierce struggle continued for thousands of years. Though the herd tried to help, none could rescue him. Gaja Raja finally realized that worldly strength and dependents are helpless before destiny and suffering.

Filled with repentance and devotion, Gaja Raja plucked a lotus with his trunk and sincerely prayed to AdiMoola Sri Hari. Immediately Sri Vishnu rushed on Garuda to protect his devotee. The crocodile too remembered his past mistake and repented. Sri Hari released both from the curse through His divine discus and restored them to their Gandharva forms. Both offered humble pranamas to Sri Hari.