||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 60 – Ajamila Upakhyanam – 4 – The conversation between emissaries of Lord Yama and Lord Yama

Shuka Bhramam continued “ Ajamila who was leading morally wrong life with the prostitute in the woods learned the significance of Namasmaran/recitation of sacred names of supreme Lord and finally sacrificed his body in the river Ganga, attained the abode of Lord.  He got relieved from the sins after constant contemplation, remembrance of Lord and his sacred names; he raised the soul within a short period of time thus attained Mukthi.  Whoever constantly remembers the presence of Supreme Lord as soul engages in selfless service to Lord and his devotees immerse in the contemplation of Lord, and recitation of his sacred names will not face  Lord Yama or his emissaries while leaving the mortal coil finally reaches in the abode of Lord.”

Lord Yama watched his emissaries returning to his abode empty-handed, he enquired the reason for it.  The emissaries explained the whole scenario to Lord Yama and asked “Oh! Rajan, we are not able to understand any of these happening, we are utterly confused.  According to our knowledge, you are the controller of ‘Time’, the scriptures have given the mode of conduct that should be followed by each individuals, if anyone does not follow the scriptures would undergo punishment in the hell, therefore, you have the right the punish people for their sins performed by words, mind, and deed.  It is new to our knowledge that there is another punisher too, therefore kindly elaborate to us.  If all the sinners attain the supreme abode by reciting sacred names, what would happen to the hell? It will become empty very soon.  Therefore two punishers for the sins will not work effectively; there must be one punisher for all the sins.  We were fastening Ajamila to take him to your abode; immediately there appeared the Vishnu Parshadhas who has the appearance of Lord Vishnu and caused impediments, therefore we had to unfasten him.  Oh! Rajan kindly narrates the reason behind this incident in detail.”

Lord Yama replied “ Oh! Emissaries, you have witnessed the attendants of the supreme Lord.  The Supreme Lord Vishnu who is beyond description or perception, he is the controller of Universe and its living beings, he has no birth or death, he is beyond the perception of Bhrama, Rudra, Maruthganas, Agni, Vayu, Prachethas, etc.  The mind has originated from him; it should take the refugee under him like the rivers merge with the ocean.  Therefore the mind has to unite with the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in all the living beings.  He is supreme Lord who is free from illusion, he is Lord of Maya, he is worshiped by all the deities, he is not visible, and he is Mahathbhudha, therefore whoever taking refuge at his lotus feet are protected by him.  Therefore the Vishnuparshadhas are right, Ajamila is not deserved to be in hell.  Lord Vishnu symbolizes supreme knowledge, and absolute truth as well, it is known for only very few of illustrious Rishis, Sages, Siddhas,  Swayambhu/Bhrama,  Swayambhuva Manu, Narada, Shambhu, Kumaras, Kapila,  Prahlada, Janaka, Bheeshma, Bali, Shuka Bhramam, and myself.  It is very complex to understand, it purifies the soul and mind, it reveals the absolute truth if it is understood it could provide nectar-like eternal bliss.  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran teaches the supreme Dharma, it is recited or listened constantly by the intellectuals.  Ajamila attained liberation with the constant recitation and remembrance of the Lord.  Oh!  Vathsa, recite the sacred names of Lord to get relieved from the noose of Lord Yama.  In this way, Ajamila with his constant contemplation upon supreme Lord Narayana, washed off all the sins committed knowingly and unknowingly, finally attained liberation.  It is unfortunate that humans do not know the value of their birth, after several births they have attained the body of a human; they are not prepared to contemplate upon the supreme Lord who is the creator and protector as well.  Unfortunately, they indulge in sensual pleasures, remain under the clutches of Maya, constantly seeking sensual pleasures, with no ultimate purpose of life, not contemplating upon Lord or reciting Veda, and performing all Kamya Karma/performance of rituals for a specific purpose. There are two categories of people are not deserved to be punished 1) the intellectuals who are constantly reciting the sacred names of Lord unite their mind with the soul, such people are not deserved to be punished in hell.  2) The people who have committed any sin knowingly or unknowingly and regrets for their mistakes and contemplates upon the supreme Lord are not deserved to be punished.”

The emissaries asked “Oh! Prabho, who are deserved to be punished?”

Lord Yama replied “ People who are reluctant to take refuge at the lotus feet of Lord Mukunda, people who have no faith or devotion upon the supreme Lord, people who are constantly worried about the physical and mental afflictions without the knowledge of supreme soul, people who are completely immersed in worldly matters,  people who are not willing to be in the association of saintly people,  people who have not uttered the sacred names of Lord Krishna, even though capable to speak, but always engages in seeking pleasures with their tongue. The people who are not willing to remember the glories of supreme Lord Narayana with their intellect who is the source of our intellect, people who are not willing to prostrate before supreme Lord Narayana.  Oh! Children/emissaries,  you have committed a grave sin, do not indulge in those kinds of sins, people who contemplates upon supreme Lord Narayana should not be punished,  therefore ask for forgiveness to Lord Narayana who is supreme Purusha is compassionate.  Oh! Supreme Lord Narayana, Oh! Supreme Purusha, I shall prostrate before you, kindly forgive the mistake of my emissaries/children.  Whoever recites or listens to the glories of the Supreme Lord Vishnu who symbolizes auspiciousness, with intense devotion and faith, would bring an abundance of piousness, it is considered as highest of the pious deed to the austerities and vow.”

The emissaries of Lord Yama after listening to the speeches of their Master promised that they will not hurt the devotees of Lord Achyutha.  This legend was narrated by Sage Agasthya in the Mount Malaya.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 59 – Ajamila Upakhyanam – 3 - Yamapurusha Samvadham/conversation between Yama Purusha and Vishnu Parshadha

Vishnu Parshadha said “ Oh! The emissaries of Lord Yama, it is really sad that you have appeared before an individual who is not deserved to be punished.    Ajamila called out for his Universal Father/Paramapitha at the time of leaving mortal coil, if you push him into hell, how people will not have faith on the supreme Lord who is the Universal father? and to whom they will surrender?  If you have taken Ajamila to hell, all those verdicts of supreme Lord who is the protector of the people who practices Bakthi Yoga/ practice of sincere devotion and faith upon the supreme Lord would become fruitless.  People who have surrendered to the supreme Lord, and devoted their mind for the elevation of the soul should not be punished;   this is what we have understood.   Although, Ajamila had committed various sins, in the end, he called out for supreme Lord Narayana, therefore he got relieved from all the sins.  While leaving the mortal coil, he had gone through extreme sufferings and fear, and call out for Lord Narayana, so he is not deserved to heave to hell.  Even though he is a burglar, addicted to intoxicating drink, cruel and selfish to his parents, wife, and children, rude to saintly men and humiliated his preceptor, had an illicit relationship, ultimately devoted his mind in Lord Hari.  Therefore, his mind got purified which is not possible even with the fasting or austerities.  The mind has the capacity to ascend or descend from the soul, the mind does not require any of the essential elements as the body absorbs for its survival on the Earth, therefore every human should attain the grace of preceptor and elevate their soul with the relentless recitation of sacred names of Lord, that works as the atonement for various sins.  Ajamila called out for Lord Narayana while leaving the mortal coil.   The sacred names of Lord uttered in any of the circumstances like mockery, humiliation, insult, aversion, frustration or irritation, or fall or raise, trouble or happiness, sorrow or pain, would definitely provide its fruit.  Therefore, whoever utters the sacred name of Lord Hari would attain an abundance of piousness; illustrious Rishis affirmed that the recitation of sacred names of Lord would keep away the mind from extreme fears, anxieties, and grief.  It purifies the body, intellect, and mind.  The sins committed at the command of mind should be washed off with the mind by the relentless practice of utterance of sacred names even though it is recited without the knowledge of its meaning, it would burn all the impurities and sins, the fire burn the woods.”  The emissaries of Lord Yama removed the noose from Ajamila after listening to the Vishnu Parshadha and left the place.  Ajamila reverentially greeted the Vishnu Parshadha with folded hands, and they disappeared.  Ajamila was fortunate to listen to the glories of reciting the sacred names of Lord, he deeply regretted about his foolishness, he wept bitterly about his selfishness and wickedness towards his family and old parents, and wandering lustfully after a prostitute, consuming meat and intoxicating drinks, keeping himself away from all religious and spiritual rites and discipline.  Ajamila realized it was his dream, immediately he decided to leave the forest, thought “I have got a birth in illustrious clan of Vedic Bhramin, I did not use my life to elevate the soul, I have made a grave sin, anyway I have got an opportunity to change my last days of life and relieve from all worldly bondage.”

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 58 – Ajamila Upakhyanam -2

Shukha Brahamam continues “ Oh! Pareekshith, there was a Brahmin Ajamila in the city of Kanyakubja. He was born in an  illustrious clan of Vedic Bhramin, he attained Vedic knowledge at a young age from his father.  The years have passed Ajamila married and had children, he persistently engaged in spiritual and religious rites, fire sacrifices and Vedic chants.  Once he has to go to wood to collect Samith/ dried thin wood.  There he saw an enchanting woman; he had an intense desire to have a physical relationship with that beautiful young woman. Finally, he left his family and children for this woman in the forest and stayed with her, attending all her needs.  He picked up new livelihood in the forest, he humiliated saintly men who pass through the woods and snatched whatever in their hands, he steals money and ornaments from the travelers, and hunt animals, in this way he earned money and looked after the woman and his ten children in the forest.  Ajamila did not notice the time, has reached the age of eighty-eight; he was very fond of his tenth child who was named Narayana.  He had a dream, in that three emissaries of Lord Yama who had a dreadful appearance, brutal face, blazing eyes, and spiky hairs, fastening him with the noose.  He was alarmed and called out loudly for his tenth son Narayana.  He was completely besieged by sorrow, fear, and attachment to his family.  Soon he could visualize brilliant rays and four Vishnu Parshadha/ emissaries of Lord Narayana, they moved forward and stopped the emissaries of Lord Yama and asked “Who are you?”.  

The emissaries of Lord Yama speaks “We are sincere attendants of Lord Yama, we have come to follow the command of our master.  Who are you to create obstacles?  Are you Devas/ deities or Upadeva or Siddhas ?”  The Vishnu Parshadhas has the appearance of supreme Lord Narayana, who has beautiful eyes resembles lotus flower petals, four hands hold Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, Padma, bow, and arrow attired in magnificent yellow silk garment, adorned in various precious ornaments and marvelous crown, armlets, ear ornaments, etc.  Vishnu Parshadhas said “Oh! Emissaries of Lord Yama, we have understood you have come to follow the command of your Master Dharmaraja, you are not aware of the principles of righteousness yet.  Tell us who should be punished? Who should not be punished?” 

The emissaries of Yama replied “The Veda is Lord Narayana, it is an authoritative scripture which describes the righteousness and immorality in detail.  After the death of a person who led a righteous life would attain heaven, and the person who had undertaken immoral deeds would attain hell.  The Brahmin Ajamila has chosen an immoral way of living,  though he was born in an illustrious clan of Vedic scholars.  He was leading a righteous life, performed all the religious and spiritual rites and fire sacrifices, virtuous, received guests with humility. Once he was instructed to bring ingredients for fire sacrifice, he came to the forest at the order of his father.  In the forest, he found an indecent fellow, overindulged in intoxicating drink and physical pleasure with a prostitute. The couples were taking immense joy in their mutual association.  In a sudden moment, Ajamila was overwhelmed with an intense desire to be with this beautiful woman.  He was mentally prepared to leave his family, children, and old parents, religious and spiritual rites to unite with her.   He started living with her, he committed various sins, did not perform any of his daily rites and lead a life of an insane; therefore he should be punished in hell.  The scriptures say that Lord Surya, Agni, sky, Air, etc, witnesses all the deeds of living beings on Earth, the person who commits wickedness at the command of mind, will take several births and keep repeating the same without the knowledge of self and receive punishments in the form of sorrow and grief while living on the Earth.   The mind is originated from the Athman/soul, which is closely attached to the activities of   Panchendhriyas,  Karmendhriyas, and Gnaendhriyas.  Therefore it has the capacity to produce happiness, joy, grief, fear, anxiety, distress, etc…, it acts like the fragrance in the flower that remains in the flower for sometimes and vanishes.   In this way, the mind has the capacity to hold on to the body and disappear as well.  The mind will not allow remaining idle, it is the source of actions; hence the body has to keep engaged in something or the other at the command of the mind.   In this way, the soul takes several births and the life cycle continues.  The Brahmin Ajamila committed various sins and followed a morally wrong way of life; therefore he is liable to get punished.”

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 57 – Ajamila Upakhyanam -1

King Pareekshith  “ Oh! Maharishi, you have taught me the Nivriththi Marg/method of renunciation, the practice of mind not to get attached with the material affairs.  You have described the different types of hell/Narakavarnnana.  Oh! Mahabhaga, How could I get relieved from the pain and miseries of hellish tortures?”

Shukha Bhramam replied “ Oh! Rajan, whoever commits sins by words, deeds, and mind, should undergo endless miseries and sorrows, who do not perform the atonement of the sins have to undergo constant sufferings and afflictions.  Therefore, we have to take preventative measures for all those afflictions before it completely destroys the mental and physical well-being, like prevention is better than cure.”  King Pareekshith disapproving the idea of atonement said “Oh! Mahabhaga, once the atonement were performed for the sins committed, and if the sins were repeated again and again like giving bath to an elephant, if so why would we have to perform the atonement for the sins in the first place?”  Shuka Brahma replied “Oh! Rajan, The performance of atonement for the sins would provide some kind of relief for the people who have not attained the knowledge of Bhramam.  People who believe in the performance of atonement for sins will gradually focus their attention towards the supreme Lord by meditation, practice of celibacy, disciplines, worship of Lord Vasudeva, recitation of sacred hymns, in this way you can burn your accumulated sins and ignorance, like the brilliance of Lord Surya removes the darkness, in other words, the bamboo trees crush each other and the fire originates from it, eventually it destroys the entire Bamboo wood.  The impurities of mind can be cleansed with the intense devotion and meditation upon Lord Vasudeva.  The body made up of five vital elements, the mind has originated from the supreme soul and it is preserved by the supreme soul, therefore it has to return to the supreme Lord.  There are various methods to practice devotion to Lord, such as selfless service to Lord and his devotees, control of senses, recitation of sacred names of Lord, surrendering to supreme Lord, in this way the worshiper would get relieved from accumulated sins.  The worshiper who contemplates upon supreme Lord Narayana would get relieved from extreme fears and anxieties of worldly existence.  Oh! Rajendra, The person who performs the atonement for the sins without the knowledge of supreme Lord would not achieve any fruitful results, moreover, none of his/expiations would eradicate the sins, like the vessel contained the intoxicating drinks would bear the smell of the same even though it is cleansed with the waters of Ganga.  The worshiper whose mind is full of firm devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna and has thorough knowledge ‘self’ and glories of supreme Lord, will not face Lord Yama or emissaries of Lord Yama, not even in their dreams.  Oh! Rajan, listen to me carefully I shall narrate the story of a Brahmin Ajamila.”