Here's an extract from another Sikhi Forum called Universal Mind :-
The mythical story of elephant and crocodile is the one refered to in the pungtee by the ninth Guru. A worthy effort.
Now let me take it a bit further.
In the pungtee the pointer is "LIKE IN THE CASE OF ELEPHANT"
This is a hindu mythical story .At no of places in SGGS ji there are references to myths. This led me into finding out what essential point is there in the story.
I found the story in one sight. The link is as under :
The portions relevant for our understand are as under from this source.
"Thus when the elephant was in a sad situation and despaired of his life, unable ever so long to free himself, thought of an idea. "
"I shall seek HIM the ultimate refuge. I seek refuge of the Lord that protects the scared seeking HIS refuge, for refuge from the powerful serpent of Death that pursues ever so swiftly, but yet itself runs away in utter fear of the Lord."
"Thus, as the elephant prayed to the Lord who is indistinctive, the celestials headed by Brahma, who had each his own distinction and ego in his own form, did not approach him, as the prayer was to the all embracing One, when on the spot there appeared Hari, who is of the form of all the celestials together,"
The inference that can be drawn from the above is that :
the prayer was to the Lord.
It thus appears that Guru ji means the support sought should be not of any other lesser being but of HAR.
The question next in natural sequence would be : How ?
Guru ji gives the answer in the next pungtees :
An understanding that - Everything is in HIS hands.
The learning of the above truth is a great meditation.This understanding has to be lived . The invisible presence within everything including us.
Do we drive a car or HE drives it.
Is HE the one sitting before PC.
Who is seeing through the eyes- HE or I.
The experiencer and the experienced through are to be merged with no separate I being there.
The story is not about belief -- as when we pray, oh God, because I believe in You, then will You rescue me? This way is to make the Divine like a merchant with whom we can barter. No. Rather, He rescues when he chooses and whom He chooses for His reasons.
Which of the following would be the best answer ?
1. Regardless of our belief, he does help us.
2. He helps us always, but be might fail to see it.
3. We fail to see him helping us because we want the help on our terms.
4. When we understand the Divine Plan, we understand His way of helping us.
5. When we understand our trueselves, we see the Divine Plan working in helping us.