Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 6 · Chapter 2
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच एवं ते भगवद्दूता यमदूताभिभाषितम् । उपधार्याथ तान् राजन् प्र्रत्याहुर्नयकोविदा: ॥ १ ॥
sri-badarayanir uvaca evam te bhagavad-duta yamadutabhibhasitam upadharyatha tan rajan pratyahur naya-kovidah
Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King, the servants of Lord Visnu are always very expert in logic and arguments. After hearing the statements of the Yamadutas, they replied as follows.
श्रीविष्णुदूता ऊचु: अहो कष्टं धर्मदृशामधर्म: स्पृशते सभाम् । यत्रादण्ड्येष्वपापेषु दण्डो यैर्ध्रियते वृथा ॥ २ ॥
sri-visnuduta ucuh aho kastam dharma-drsam adharmah sprsate sabham yatradandyesv apapesu dando yair dhriyate vrtha
The Visnudutas said: Alas, how painful it is that irreligion is being introduced into an assembly where religion should be maintained. Indeed, those in charge of maintaining the religious principles are needlessly punishing a sinless, unpunishable person.
प्रजानां पितरो ये च शास्तार: साधव: समा: । यदि स्यात्तेषु वैषम्यं कं यान्ति शरणं प्रजा: ॥ ३ ॥
prajanam pitaro ye ca sastarah sadhavah samah yadi syat tesu vaisamyam kam yanti saranam prajah
A king or governmental official should be so well qualified that he acts as a father, maintainer and protector of the citizens because of affection and love. He should give the citizens good advice and instructions according to the standard scriptures and should be equal to everyone. Yamaraja does this, for he is the supreme master of justice, and so do those who follow in his footsteps. However, if such persons become polluted and exhibit partiality by punishing an innocent, blameless person, where will the citizens go to take shelter for their maintenance and security?
यद्यदाचरति श्रेयानितरस्तत्तदीहते । स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥ ४ ॥
yad yad acarati sreyan itaras tat tad ihate sa yat pramanam kurute lokas tad anuvartate
The mass of people follow the example of a leader in society and imitate his behavior. They accept as evidence whatever the leader accepts.
यस्याङ्के शिर आधाय लोक: स्वपिति निर्वृत: । स्वयं धर्ममधर्मं वा न हि वेद यथा पशु: ॥ ५ ॥ स कथं न्यर्पितात्मानं कृतमैत्रमचेतनम् । विस्रम्भणीयो भूतानां सघृणो दोग्धुमर्हति ॥ ६ ॥
yasyanke sira adhaya lokah svapiti nirvrtah svayam dharmam adharmam va na hi veda yatha pasuh sa katham nyarpitatmanam krta-maitram acetanam visrambhaniyo bhutanam saghrno dogdhum arhati
People in general are not very advanced in knowledge by which to discriminate between religion and irreligion. The innocent, unenlightened citizen is like an ignorant animal sleeping in peace with its head on the lap of its master, faithfully believing in the master’s protection. If a leader is actually kindhearted and deserves to be the object of a living entity’s faith, how can he punish or kill a foolish person who has fully surrendered in good faith and friendship?
अयं हि कृतनिर्वेशो जन्मकोट्यंहसामपि । यद्व्याजहार विवशो नाम स्वस्त्ययनं हरे: ॥ ७ ॥
ayam hi krta-nirveso janma-koty-amhasam api yad vyajahara vivaso nama svasty-ayanam hareh
Ajamila has already atoned for all his sinful actions. Indeed, he has atoned not only for sins performed in one life but for those performed in millions of lives, for in a helpless condition he chanted the holy name of Narayana. Even though he did not chant purely, he chanted without offense, and therefore he is now pure and eligible for liberation.
एतेनैव ह्यघोनोऽस्य कृतं स्यादघनिष्कृतम् । यदा नारायणायेति जगाद चतुरक्षरम् ॥ ८ ॥
etenaiva hy aghono ’sya krtam syad agha-niskrtam yada narayanayeti jagada catur-aksaram
The Visnudutas continued: Even previously, while eating and at other times, this Ajamila would call his son, saying, My dear Narayana, please come here Although calling the name of his son, he nevertheless uttered the four syllables na-ra-ya-na. Simply by chanting the name of Narayana in this way, he sufficiently atoned for the sinful reactions of millions of lives.
स्तेन: सुरापो मित्रध्रुग् ब्रह्महा गुरुतल्पग: । स्त्रीराजपितृगोहन्ता ये च पातकिनोऽपरे ॥ ९ ॥ सर्वेषामप्यघवतामिदमेव सुनिष्कृतम् । नामव्याहरणं विष्णोर्यतस्तद्विषया मति: ॥ १० ॥
stenah sura-po mitra-dhrug brahma-ha guru-talpa-gah stri-raja-pitr-go-hanta ye ca patakino ’pare sarvesam apy aghavatam idam eva suniskrtam nama-vyaharanam visnor yatas tad-visaya matih
The chanting of the holy name of Lord Visnu is the best process of atonement for a thief of gold or other valuables, for a drunkard, for one who betrays a friend or relative, for one who kills a brahmana, or for one who indulges in sex with the wife of his guru or another superior. It is also the best method of atonement for one who murders women, the king or his father, for one who slaughters cows, and for all other sinful men. Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Visnu, such sinful persons may attract the attention of the Supreme Lord, who therefore considers, “Because this man has chanted My holy name, My duty is to give him protection.”
न निष्कृतैरुदितैर्ब्रह्मवादिभि- स्तथा विशुद्ध्यत्यघवान् व्रतादिभि: । यथा हरेर्नामपदैरुदाहृतै- स्तदुत्तमश्लोकगुणोपलम्भकम् ॥ ११ ॥
na niskrtair uditair brahma-vadibhis tatha visuddhyaty aghavan vratadibhih yatha harer nama-padair udahrtais tad uttamasloka-gunopalambhakam
By following the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies or undergoing atonement, sinful men do not become as purified as by chanting once the holy name of Lord Hari. Although ritualistic atonement may free one from sinful reactions, it does not awaken devotional service, unlike the chanting of the Lord’s names, which reminds one of the Lord’s fame, qualities, attributes, pastimes and paraphernalia.
नैकान्तिकं तद्धि कृतेऽपि निष्कृते मन: पुनर्धावति चेदसत्पथे । तत्कर्मनिर्हारमभीप्सतां हरे- र्गुणानुवाद: खलु सत्त्वभावन: ॥ १२ ॥
naikantikam tad dhi krte ’pi niskrte manah punar dhavati ced asat-pathe tat karma-nirharam abhipsatam harer gunanuvadah khalu sattva-bhavanah
The ritualistic ceremonies of atonement recommended in the religious scriptures are insufficient to cleanse the heart absolutely because after atonement one’s mind again runs toward material activities. Consequently, for one who wants liberation from the fruitive reactions of material activities, the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, or glorification of the name, fame and pastimes of the Lord, is recommended as the most perfect process of atonement because such chanting eradicates the dirt from one’s heart completely.
अथैनं मापनयत कृताशेषाघनिष्कृतम् । यदसौ भगवन्नाम म्रियमाण: समग्रहीत् ॥ १३ ॥
athainam mapanayata krtasesagha-niskrtam yad asau bhagavan-nama mriyamanah samagrahit
At the time of death, this Ajamila helplessly and very loudly chanted the holy name of the Lord, Narayana. That chanting alone has already freed him from the reactions of all sinful life. Therefore, O servants of Yamaraja, do not try to take him to your master for punishment in hellish conditions.
साङ्केत्यं पारिहास्यं वा स्तोभं हेलनमेव वा । वैकुण्ठनामग्रहणमशेषाघहरं विदु: ॥ १४ ॥
sanketyam parihasyam va stobham helanam eva va vaikuntha-nama-grahanam asesagha-haram viduh
One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly (to indicate something else), jokingly, for musical entertainment, or even neglectfully. This is accepted by all the learned scholars of the scriptures.
पतित: स्खलितो भग्न: सन्दष्टस्तप्त आहत: । हरिरित्यवशेनाह पुमान्नार्हति यातना: ॥ १५ ॥
patitah skhalito bhagnah sandastas tapta ahatah harir ity avasenaha puman narhati yatanah
If one chants the holy name of Hari and then dies because of an accidental misfortune, such as falling from the top of a house, slipping and suffering broken bones while traveling on the road, being bitten by a serpent, being afflicted with pain and high fever, or being injured by a weapon, one is immediately absolved from having to enter hellish life, even though he is sinful.
गुरूणां च लघूनां च गुरूणि च लघूनि च । प्रायश्चित्तानि पापानां ज्ञात्वोक्तानि महर्षिभि: ॥ १६ ॥
gurunam ca laghunam ca guruni ca laghuni ca prayascittani papanam jnatvoktani maharsibhih
Authorities who are learned scholars and sages have carefully ascertained that one should atone for the heaviest sins by undergoing a heavy process of atonement and one should atone for lighter sins by undergoing lighter atonement. Chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, however, vanquishes all the effects of sinful activities, regardless of whether heavy or light.
तैस्तान्यघानि पूयन्ते तपोदानव्रतादिभि: । नाधर्मजं तद्धृदयं तदपीशाङ्घ्रिसेवया ॥ १७ ॥
tais tany aghani puyante tapo-dana-vratadibhih nadharmajam tad-dhrdayam tad apisanghri-sevaya
Although one may neutralize the reactions of sinful life through austerity, charity, vows and other such methods, these pious activities cannot uproot the material desires in one’s heart. However, if one serves the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, he is immediately freed from all such contaminations.
अज्ञानादथवा ज्ञानादुत्तमश्लोकनाम यत् । सङ्कीर्तितमघं पुंसो दहेदेधो यथानल: ॥ १८ ॥
ajnanad athava jnanad uttamasloka-nama yat sankirtitam agham pumso dahed edho yathanalah
As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one’s sinful activities.
यथागदं वीर्यतममुपयुक्तं यदृच्छया । अजानतोऽप्यात्मगुणं कुर्यान्मन्त्रोऽप्युदाहृत: ॥ १९ ॥
yathagadam viryatamam upayuktam yadrcchaya ajanato ’py atma-gunam kuryan mantro ’py udahrtah
If a person unaware of the effective potency of a certain medicine takes that medicine or is forced to take it, it will act even without his knowledge because its potency does not depend on the patient’s understanding. Similarly, even though one does not know the value of chanting the holy name of the Lord, if one chants knowingly or unknowingly, the chanting will be very effective.
श्रीशुक उवाच त एवं सुविनिर्णीय धर्मं भागवतं नृप । तं याम्यपाशान्निर्मुच्य विप्रं मृत्योरमूमुचन् ॥ २० ॥
sri-suka uvaca ta evam suvinirniya dharmam bhagavatam nrpa tam yamya-pasan nirmucya vipram mrtyor amumucan
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, having thus perfectly judged the principles of devotional service with reasoning and arguments, the order carriers of Lord Visnu released the brahmana Ajamila from the bondage of the Yamadutas and saved him from imminent death.
इति प्रत्युदिता याम्या दूता यात्वा यमान्तिकम् । यमराज्ञे यथा सर्वमाचचक्षुररिन्दम ॥ २१ ॥
iti pratyudita yamya duta yatva yamantikam yama-rajne yatha sarvam acacaksur arindama
My dear Maharaja Pariksit, O subduer of all enemies, after the servants of Yamaraja had been answered by the order carriers of Lord Visnu, they went to Yamaraja and explained to him everything that had happened.
द्विज: पाशाद्विनिर्मुक्तो गतभी: प्रकृतिं गत: । ववन्दे शिरसा विष्णो: किङ्करान् दर्शनोत्सव: ॥ २२ ॥
dvijah pasad vinirmukto gata-bhih prakrtim gatah vavande sirasa visnoh kinkaran darsanotsavah
Having been released from the nooses of Yamaraja’s servants, the brahmana Ajamila, now free from fear, came to his senses and immediately offered obeisances to the Visnudutas by bowing his head at their lotus feet. He was extremely pleased by their presence, for he had seen them save his life from the hands of the servants of Yamaraja.
तं विवक्षुमभिप्रेत्य महापुरुषकिङ्करा: । सहसा पश्यतस्तस्य तत्रान्तर्दधिरेऽनघ ॥ २३ ॥
tam vivaksum abhipretya mahapurusa-kinkarah sahasa pasyatas tasya tatrantardadhire ’nagha
O sinless Maharaja Pariksit, the order carriers of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Visnudutas, saw that Ajamila was attempting to say something, and thus they suddenly disappeared from his presence.
अजामिलोऽप्यथाकर्ण्य दूतानां यमकृष्णयो: । धर्मं भागवतं शुद्धं त्रैवेद्यं च गुणाश्रयम् ॥ २४ ॥ भक्तिमान् भगवत्याशु माहात्म्यश्रवणाद्धरे: । अनुतापो महानासीत्स्मरतोऽशुभमात्मन: ॥ २५ ॥
ajamilo ’py athakarnya dutanam yama-krsnayoh dharmam bhagavatam suddham trai-vedyam ca gunasrayam bhaktiman bhagavaty asu mahatmya-sravanad dhareh anutapo mahan asit smarato ’subham atmanah
After hearing the discourses between the Yamadutas and the Visnudutas, Ajamila could understand the religious principles that act under the three modes of material nature. These principles are mentioned in the three Vedas. He could also understand the transcendental religious principles, which are above the modes of material nature and which concern the relationship between the living being and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Furthermore, Ajamila heard glorification of the name, fame, qualities and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He thus became a perfectly pure devotee. He could then remember his past sinful activities, which he greatly regretted having performed.
अहो मे परमं कष्टमभूदविजितात्मन: । येन विप्लावितं ब्रह्म वृषल्यां जायतात्मना ॥ २६ ॥
aho me paramam kastam abhud avijitatmanah yena viplavitam brahma vrsalyam jayatatmana
Ajamila said: Alas, being a servant of my senses, how degraded I became! I fell down from my position as a duly qualified brahmana and begot children in the womb of a prostitute.
धिङ्मां विगर्हितं सद्भिर्दुष्कृतं कुलकज्जलम् । हित्वा बालां सतीं योऽहं सुरापीमसतीमगाम् ॥ २७ ॥
dhin mam vigarhitam sadbhir duskrtam kula-kajjalam hitva balam satim yo ’ham sura-pim asatim agam
Alas, all condemnation upon me! I acted so sinfully that I degraded my family tradition. Indeed, I gave up my chaste and beautiful young wife to have sexual intercourse with a fallen prostitute accustomed to drinking wine. All condemnation upon me!
वृद्धावनाथौ पितरौ नान्यबन्धू तपस्विनौ । अहो मयाधुना त्यक्तावकृतज्ञेन नीचवत् ॥ २८ ॥
vrddhav anathau pitarau nanya-bandhu tapasvinau aho mayadhuna tyaktav akrtajnena nicavat
My father and mother were old and had no other son or friend to look after them. Because I did not take care of them, they lived with great difficulty. Alas, like an abominable lower-class man, I ungratefully left them in that condition.
सोऽहं व्यक्तं पतिष्यामि नरके भृशदारुणे । धर्मघ्ना: कामिनो यत्र विन्दन्ति यमयातना: ॥ २९ ॥
so ’ham vyaktam patisyami narake bhrsa-darune dharma-ghnah kamino yatra vindanti yama-yatanah
It is now clear that as a consequence of such activities, a sinful person like me must be thrown into hellish conditions meant for those who have broken religious principles and must there suffer extreme miseries.
किमिदं स्वप्न आहो स्वित् साक्षाद् दृष्टमिहाद्भुतम् । क्व याता अद्य ते ये मां व्यकर्षन् पाशपाणय: ॥ ३० ॥
kim idam svapna aho svit saksad drstam ihadbhutam kva yata adya te ye mam vyakarsan pasa-panayah
Was this a dream I saw, or was it reality? I saw fearsome men with ropes in their hands coming to arrest me and drag me away.
अथ ते क्व गता: सिद्धाश्चत्वारश्चारुदर्शना: । व्यामोचयन्नीयमानं बद्ध्वा पाशैरधो भुव: ॥ ३१ ॥
atha te kva gatah siddhas catvaras caru-darsanah vyamocayan niyamanam baddhva pasair adho bhuvah
And where have those four liberated and very beautiful persons gone who released me from arrest and saved me from being dragged down to the hellish regions?
अथापि मे दुर्भगस्य विबुधोत्तमदर्शने । भवितव्यं मङ्गलेन येनात्मा मे प्रसीदति ॥ ३२ ॥
athapi me durbhagasya vibudhottama-darsane bhavitavyam mangalena yenatma me prasidati
I am certainly most abominable and unfortunate to have merged in an ocean of sinful activities, but nevertheless, because of my previous spiritual activities, I could see those four exalted personalities who came to rescue me. Now I feel exceedingly happy because of their visit.
अन्यथा म्रियमाणस्य नाशुचेर्वृषलीपते: । वैकुण्ठनामग्रहणं जिह्वा वक्तुमिहार्हति ॥ ३३ ॥
anyatha mriyamanasya nasucer vrsali-pateh vaikuntha-nama-grahanam jihva vaktum iharhati
Were it not for my past devotional service, how could I, a most unclean keeper of a prostitute, have gotten an opportunity to chant the holy name of Vaikunthapati when I was just ready to die? Certainly it could not have been possible.
क्व चाहं कितव: पापो ब्रह्मघ्नो निरपत्रप: । क्व च नारायणेत्येतद्भगवन्नाम मङ्गलम् ॥ ३४ ॥
kva caham kitavah papo brahma-ghno nirapatrapah kva ca narayanety etad bhagavan-nama mangalam
Ajamila continued: I am a shameless cheater who has killed his brahminical culture. Indeed, I am sin personified. Where am I in comparison to the all-auspicious chanting of the holy name of Lord Narayana?
सोऽहं तथा यतिष्यामि यतचित्तेन्द्रियानिल: । यथा न भूय आत्मानमन्धे तमसि मज्जये ॥ ३५ ॥
so ’ham tatha yatisyami yata-cittendriyanilah yatha na bhuya atmanam andhe tamasi majjaye
I am such a sinful person, but since I have now gotten this opportunity, I must completely control my mind, life and senses and always engage in devotional service so that I may not fall again into the deep darkness and ignorance of material life.
विमुच्य तमिमं बन्धमविद्याकामकर्मजम् । सर्वभूतसुहृच्छान्तो मैत्र: करुण आत्मवान् ॥ ३६ ॥ मोचये ग्रस्तमात्मानं योषिन्मय्यात्ममायया । विक्रीडितो ययैवाहं क्रीडामृग इवाधम: ॥ ३७ ॥
vimucya tam imam bandham avidya-kama-karmajam sarva-bhuta-suhrc chanto maitrah karuna atmavan mocaye grastam atmanam yosin-mayyatma-mayaya vikridito yayaivaham krida-mrga ivadhamah
Because of identifying oneself with the body, one is subjected to desires for sense gratification, and thus one engages in many different types of pious and impious action. This is what constitutes material bondage. Now I shall disentangle myself from my material bondage, which has been caused by the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s illusory energy in the form of a woman. Being a most fallen soul, I was victimized by the illusory energy and have become like a dancing dog led around by a woman’s hand. Now I shall give up all lusty desires and free myself from this illusion. I shall become a merciful, well-wishing friend to all living entities and always absorb myself in Krsna consciousness.
ममाहमिति देहादौ हित्वामिथ्यार्थधीर्मतिम् । धास्ये मनो भगवति शुद्धं तत्कीर्तनादिभि: ॥ ३८ ॥
mamaham iti dehadau hitvamithyartha-dhir matim dhasye mano bhagavati suddham tat-kirtanadibhih
Simply because I chanted the holy name of the Lord in the association of devotees, my heart is now becoming purified. Therefore I shall not fall victim again to the false lures of material sense gratification. Now that I have become fixed in the Absolute Truth, henceforward I shall not identify myself with the body. I shall give up false conceptions of and min and fix my mind on the lotus feet of Krsna.
इति जातसुनिर्वेद: क्षणसङ्गेन साधुषु । गङ्गाद्वारमुपेयाय मुक्तसर्वानुबन्धन: ॥ ३९ ॥
iti jata-sunirvedah ksana-sangena sadhusu ganga-dvaram upeyaya mukta-sarvanubandhanah
Because of a moment’s association with devotees (the Visnudutas), Ajamila detached himself from the material conception of life with determination. Thus freed from all material attraction, he immediately started for Hardwar.
स तस्मिन् देवसदन आसीनो योगमास्थित: । प्रत्याहृतेन्द्रियग्रामो युयोज मन आत्मनि ॥ ४० ॥
sa tasmin deva-sadana asino yogam asthitah pratyahrtendriya-gramo yuyoja mana atmani
In Hardwar, Ajamila took shelter at a Visnu temple, where he executed the process of bhakti-yoga. He controlled his senses and fully applied his mind in the service of the Lord.
ततो गुणेभ्य आत्मानं वियुज्यात्मसमाधिना । युयुजे भगवद्धाम्नि ब्रह्मण्यनुभवात्मनि ॥ ४१ ॥
tato gunebhya atmanam viyujyatma-samadhina yuyuje bhagavad-dhamni brahmany anubhavatmani
Ajamila fully engaged in devotional service. Thus he detached his mind from the process of sense gratification and became fully absorbed in thinking of the form of the Lord.
यर्ह्युपारतधीस्तस्मिन्नद्राक्षीत्पुरुषान् पुर: । उपलभ्योपलब्धान् प्राग्ववन्दे शिरसा द्विज: ॥ ४२ ॥
yarhy uparata-dhis tasminn adraksit purusan purah upalabhyopalabdhan prag vavande sirasa dvijah
When his intelligence and mind were fixed upon the form of the Lord, the brahmana Ajamila once again saw before him four celestial persons. He could understand that they were those he had seen previously, and thus he offered them his obeisances by bowing down before them.
हित्वा कलेवरं तीर्थे गङ्गायां दर्शनादनु । सद्य: स्वरूपं जगृहे भगवत्पार्श्ववर्तिनाम् ॥ ४३ ॥
hitva kalevaram tirthe gangayam darsanad anu sadyah svarupam jagrhe bhagavat-parsva-vartinam
Upon seeing the Visnudutas, Ajamila gave up his material body at Hardwar on the bank of the Ganges. He regained his original spiritual body, which was a body appropriate for an associate of the Lord.
साकं विहायसा विप्रो महापुरुषकिङ्करै: । हैमं विमानमारुह्य ययौ यत्र श्रिय: पति: ॥ ४४ ॥
sakam vihayasa vipro mahapurusa-kinkaraih haimam vimanam aruhya yayau yatra sriyah patih
Accompanied by the order carriers of Lord Visnu, Ajamila boarded an airplane made of gold. Passing through the airways, he went directly to the abode of Lord Visnu, the husband of the goddess of fortune.
एवं स विप्लावितसर्वधर्मा दास्या: पति: पतितो गर्ह्यकर्मणा । निपात्यमानो निरये हतव्रत: सद्यो विमुक्तो भगवन्नाम गृह्णन् ॥ ४५ ॥
evam sa viplavita-sarva-dharma dasyah patih patito garhya-karmana nipatyamano niraye hata-vratah sadyo vimukto bhagavan-nama grhnan
Ajamila was a brahmana who because of bad association had given up all brahminical culture and religious principles. Becoming most fallen, he stole, drank and performed other abominable acts. He even kept a prostitute. Thus he was destined to be carried away to hell by the order carriers of Yamaraja, but he was immediately rescued simply by a glimpse of the chanting of the holy name Narayana.
नात: परं कर्मनिबन्धकृन्तनं मुमुक्षतां तीर्थपदानुकीर्तनात् । न यत्पुन: कर्मसु सज्जते मनो रजस्तमोभ्यां कलिलं ततोऽन्यथा ॥ ४६ ॥
natah param karma-nibandha-krntanam mumuksatam tirtha-padanukirtanat na yat punah karmasu sajjate mano rajas-tamobhyam kalilam tato ’nyatha
Therefore one who desires freedom from material bondage should adopt the process of chanting and glorifying the name, fame, form and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, at whose feet all the holy places stand. One cannot derive the proper benefit from other methods, such as pious atonement, speculative knowledge and meditation in mystic yoga, because even after following such methods one takes to fruitive activities again, unable to control his mind, which is contaminated by the base qualities of nature, namely passion and ignorance.
य एतं परमं गुह्यमितिहासमघापहम् । शृणुयाच्छ्रद्धया युक्तो यश्च भक्त्यानुकीर्तयेत् ॥ ४७ ॥ न वै स नरकं याति नेक्षितो यमकिङ्करै: । यद्यप्यमङ्गलो मर्त्यो विष्णुलोके महीयते ॥ ४८ ॥
ya etam paramam guhyam itihasam aghapaham srnuyac chraddhaya yukto yas ca bhaktyanukirtayet na vai sa narakam yati neksito yama-kinkaraih yady apy amangalo martyo visnu-loke mahiyate
Because this very confidential historical narration has the potency to vanquish all sinful reactions, one who hears or describes it with faith and devotion is no longer doomed to hellish life, regardless of his having a material body and regardless of how sinful he may have been. Indeed, the Yamadutas, who carry out the orders of Yamaraja, do not approach him even to see him. After giving up his body, he returns home, back to Godhead, where he is very respectfully received and worshiped.
म्रियमाणो हरेर्नाम गृणन् पुत्रोपचारितम् । अजामिलोऽप्यगाद्धाम किमुत श्रद्धया गृणन् ॥ ४९ ॥
mriyamano harer nama grnan putropacaritam ajamilo ’py agad dhama kim uta sraddhaya grnan
While suffering at the time of death, Ajamila chanted the holy name of the Lord, and although the chanting was directed toward his son, he nevertheless returned home, back to Godhead. Therefore if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name of the Lord, where is the doubt that he will return to Godhead?
