||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 64 – The Introduction of Narayana Kavacham -2

Shuka Bhramam continues “Oh!, Rajan, listen to me carefully,   I shall narrate the sacred Narayana Kavacham which was narrated by Sage Vishwaroopa to Lord Indra.  Sage Vishwaroopa after performing ablations, conducted the recitation of the hymns of  Anganyas and Karanyasa/reciting the hymns with gestures and touching the body parts which could purify the limbs and bring positive energy into the body.  He contemplated upon supreme Lord Vishnu, who is beyond perception and all-pervading, he has infinite forms and names, he recited the Beeja Manthra.  Sage Vishwaroopa envisioned the glorious form of Lord Vishnu who is mounted on the celestial bird Garuda; he holds mace, sword, conch, disc, protective shield, in eight hands.  Oh! Mathsyamoorthi/the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu, kindly protect us from the troubles of water,  Oh! Vamanamoorthe/the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, kindly protect us from the troubles on the land,  Oh! Narasimhamoorthe/the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, kindly protect us from the trouble from the woods and the troubles like dense forest, Oh! Yajjavarahamoorthe, /the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu, kindly protect us from the troubles whenever I conduct journeys on the sky, Oh! Parashurama,/the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, kindly protect us from the troubles in the hills and heights, Oh! Rama,/the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu,  kindly protect us from the troubles when we feel left alone. Oh! Bhagavan Nara Narayana kindly protects us whenever we commit immoral deeds due to swollen pride, Oh! Bhagavan Dhaththathreya kindly protects us whenever we commit mistakes while performing Yogic practices. Oh! Bhagavan Kapilavasudeva kindly protects us whenever we wrap up ourselves in the performances of duties without the knowledge of supreme Lord, Oh! Bhagavan Sanathkumara kindly protects us whenever our mind becomes uncontrollable with intense desire. Oh! Hayagreeva, kindly protect us whenever we commit grave mistakes on saintly and pious people or the preceptor. Oh! Maharishi Narada, kindly protect us whenever we disrespect the noble soul and move out of the righteous path.  Oh! Koormamoorthe, kindly protect us from all the afflictions. Oh! Bhagavan Dhanvanthiri kindly protects us from all troubles caused by the consumption of meals or the poisons from the meal, Oh! Rishabha Deva kindly protects us whenever we get besieged with intense sorrow or happiness.  Oh! Yajjamoorthe, kindly protect us from the rumors and ill fame.  Oh! Sankarshanamoorthe, kindly protect us whenever we undergo intense rage. Oh! Maharishi Dhvaipayana, kindly protect us whenever we forget the supreme knowledge of self. Oh! Buddha kindly protects us whenever we get trapped among the disbelievers or dishonest, Oh! Bhagavan Kalki, kindly protect us not to waste the era and make me immerses in the veneration and listening to the glories of supreme Lord.  Oh! Keshava, kindly bless us during the dawn, Oh! Govinda who holds the flute kindly bless us when we are in the association of other people.   Oh! Narayana kindly bless us during the morning hours, Oh! Vishnu kindly blesses us during the afternoons. Oh! Madhusoodhana kindly protect us during the evenings, Oh! Madhava, kindly protect us during the dusk, Oh! Hrishikesh, kindly protect us in the nights, Oh! Padmanabha, kindly protect us during the darkest hours in the night.  Oh! Srivathsamoorthe, kindly protect us during the night, Oh! Janardhana, kindly protect us during the dawn, Oh! Damodara kindly protect us during the morning, Oh! Kalamoorthe, kindly be with us always.  Oh! Bhagavan, kindly protect us always from the trepidation with your fierce weapon disc which creates fear among the enemies, and it should tear off and burn down all the impurities and negative thoughts of our mind.  Oh! Bhagavan, kindly breakdown break down all our weaknesses and hurdles with your vicious weapon mace and smash all those evil thoughts into dust. Oh! Bhagavan, kindly protect us with your powerful conch, protects us from the evil spirits, Oh! Bhagavan, kindly protect us with your powerful sword and kindly slice down all those weakness of our mind, Oh! Bhagavan kindly protects us with your shield and safeguard us from the evil spell of others.  Whoever recites or listens to this glorious hymn would be protected from the evil effects caused by changes in planetary positions, the worshiper would attain an abundance of piousness, get rid of all the impediments and impurities.  Whoever recites or listens to these glorious chants would be blessed with the eternal presence of Lord Vishnu mounted on celestial vehicle Garuda, and protects them always.  It would protect the worshiper from all the dangers while conducting journeys, it gives immense courage to intellect and senses.  Therefore contemplate upon the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, assumed various incarnations, he is supreme Lord Hari who is all-pervading,  Whoever worship Lord Hari with this glorious hymn would be protected from all the troubles and weakness.  The Mahathma Kaushika attained the abode of Lord by the constant recitation of this glorious hymn, while the celestial Gandharva  Chithraratha was traveling through the sky, the divine energy from the Mahathma Kaushik pulled down the chariot of Chithraratha and the Gandharva performed the final rite of Mahathma Kaushika.  Whoever recites this glorious hymn in the morning hours would remain admired by all, and the worshiper would be free from fears and anxieties.  Lord Indra regained all the lost glories of the three worlds with this sacred hymn."

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 63 – The introduction of Narayana Kavacham -1

King Thvashta who was belong to the clan of deities, married to Rachana from the clan of demons.  Vishwaroopa was born to this couple became the preceptor of deities, when  Lord Indra was humiliated Sage Bhrihaspathi.

King Pareekshith asked “ Oh! Bhraman, Why did Devaguru Bhrihaspathi was humiliated by Lord Indra?”

Shuka Bhramam replied “ Lord Indra was swollen with the pride of wealth and fame.  He took immense pleasure in the association of celestial Gandharvas and Apsara, at that moment Devaguru Bhrihaspathi entered in the assembly of Lord Indra was not greeted or not received by him.  Sage Bhrihaspathi felt humiliated; therefore he retired from the assembly immediately.  Indra regretted the mistake not to receive his preceptor who is worshiped by deities and demons as well.   Indra remembered all that wealth and glories he had earned with the grace of his preceptor, he felt deeply distressed for not receiving him with honor, for not following righteousness and behaved like a person who traveled in a ferry made of stone which could push him at the bottom of the river.  In this way, he put himself and the deities into trouble with his arrogance.   Therefore he decided to please his preceptor; he was ready to bow down his head before his preceptor.   Lord Indra came back into sense and went after his preceptor, but he could not find him.  The demons came to know that Indra is lacking the support of his preceptor.  The demons took shelter from their preceptor Shukracharya, who advised the demons to battle against Indra who is all alone without their preceptor.  The deities and Indra appealed to Lord Bhrama, was received in the assembly of Lord Bhrama and enquired the reason for their visit.  Lord Bhrama said “ Oh! Indra, you have committed a grave sin, how could you disrespect a highly intellectual twice-born Mahathma? The demons have attained more power compared to you. I shall introduce a preceptor Vishwaroopa who is the son of Thvashta, a great ascetic an intellectual.   He could help you in this matter.” Thus the deities attained a new preceptor Vishwaroopa in place of Sage Bhrihaspathi. 

The deities approached Vishwaroopa and reverentially prostrated before him and prayed “ Oh! Mathman, kindly fulfill our desire, preceptor has the strength of his intellect, fathers are the strength of his children, the Earth that supports the whole living beings, etc.  We are troubled by the enemies, we have no support; therefore kindly do not leave us.  We honor you as our preceptor; kindly accept us as your disciples.”

Vishwaroopa said “Oh! Deities, The twice-born loses his divine energy/Bhrama Thejas when he performs veneration of Lord for others, a twice-born is a knower of Bhramam, attained knowledge in Veda and Vedantha, therefore it is his responsibility to impart the knowledge of Bhramam, veneration of Lord is considered as Kriya Yoga, a knower of Bhramam need not perform the Kriya Yoga, a twice-born has already rose to the highest level of Bhramam.  It is an individual responsibility to elevate his/her soul.  Oh! Deities, Even though you have come here for fulfilling your selfish motive, I am willing to help you.”  Thus Vishwaroopa was announced as the preceptor of deities, with his divine powers the deities won over the demons in the battle.  Vishwaroopa describes the glorious Narayanaka Kavacham to Lord Indra, which was retold by Shuka Bhramam to Pareekshith.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 62 - The development of the Human race - The curse on Maharishi Narada 2

Maharishi Narada narrates to the sons of Daksha Prajapathi/Hariashwas “ Oh! Vathsa ! This mind has initiated from the supreme soul, therefore it has no beginning or end, it is vast like Universe, the supreme Lord Hari is the Purusha in the Universe, the body is Kingdom, and the supreme soul Hari is the Purusha who rules the Kingdom.  Once the vital air/Prana leaves the body it has no return back, as once the mind is attained union with the Supreme Lord it will not return to worldly existence, they are addressed as renounced soul/liberated souls.  The mind/ intellect is like a woman attired in various patterns of clothes, it has the specialty to dress up in any costume according to the situation, it is fastened with nine types of emotions.  The soul is imprisoned by the mind/intellect is like a husband enslaved by wife, people who are enslaved by the mind heave to ignorance. The birth and death, happiness and sorrows are like the river which flows forefront and backward.  All the living beings on Earth have to die.   The body and mind have to undergo the constant pull of pair of opposites like sorrow and happiness, joy and grief, excitement and worries, good and bad, etc.  The five vital elements, five Karmendhriyas, five Gnanendhriyas, and five Pranas, these twenty-five elements constitute the human body.  The intellectuals/wise/Hamsa/preceptor, who teaches the worldly bondage and methods of liberation from worldly existence is like the swan which has the capacity to separate water from the milk, in this way preceptor gives the knowledge of permanent bliss.   Therefore the mind has the capacity to get attached to the worldly matters, exactly like it has the ability to liberate from worldly existence to attain union with the Bhramam.  The wheel of  ‘Time’  keeps rotating with no pause, therefore it is called Kalachakra, all living beings are fastened under the clutches of ‘Time’, hence the body has to undergo constant transformation such as  aging and illnesses and death.”  The children of Dhakshaprajapathi after listening to the nectar-like speeches of Maharishi Narada decided to undertake Tapasya, contemplate upon supreme Lord Hari and attain the supreme Bhramam, actually, they were instructed by Dhakshaprajapathi to carry out the function of creation.  In this way, Maharishi Narada inspired all the children of Dhakshaprajapathi to undertake Tapasya and attained union with the Supreme Lord.

Dhakshaprajapathi came to know about the children who left for woods to undertake extreme penance, hence he felt humiliated by Maharishi Narada.   He was undertaking the creation of the Praja's/subjects at the order of his father Lord Bhrama, but Maharishi Narada was intervened in his creation, imparted the supreme knowledge to his children and led them for Tapasya.  Dhakshaprajapathi got enraged at the Maharishi Narada and cursed “You will not stay permanently in a place; you will keep wandering in the whole Universe.” Maharishi Narada graciously accepted the curse of Dhakshaprajapathi and begins his journey through the fourteen worlds spreading Bhakti and supreme knowledge.  Dhakshaprajapathi continued the Prajolpaththi/creation of Praja.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 61 – The development of the human race - The curse on Maharishi Narada -1

Pareekshith asks “ Oh! Maharishi, you have described the creation of the Universe, Lord Bhrama and Deities, Swayambhuva Manu,  Asura, Yaksha, Kinnara, humans, animals, birds, reptiles, etc.. kindly narrate to me how did the human race developed?”

Maharishi Shuka Bhramam replied “ Oh! Rajan, Prachethas/son of Prachinabarhis undertook extreme penance; Lord Vishnu appeared before them and advised to marry the daughter of Lord Chandra.  When the Prachethas got out of penance, found the Earth was flourished with an abundance of trees and forests.  The fire/Thapasagni emitted from their eyes destroyed the woods.  Suddenly Lord Chandra appeared before them and said “ Oh! Mahabhaga, kindly do not destroy the faultless trees, you have to protect them, it is the duty of the King to protect its subjects.  The Earth is the source of food grains, it’s the shelter place for all living and non-living things in the Universe.  Oh! Mahabhaga, you have attained the grace of your father Prachinabarhis and Lord Narayana.  Therefore, kindly control your anger, all those destroyed are gone, all those existing trees will bless you, and marry  Mareesha, who is the daughter of mine.”  The Prachethas and the daughter of Lord Chandra got married and had a son Daksha Prajapathi.  The Prachethas moved to Mount Vindhya to enhance the creation, Dhakshaprajapathi eulogized Lord Hari with the marvelous verses of Hamsa Guhya Gita.

Dhaksha Prajapathi eulogizes supreme Lord Hari “I shall prostrate before  supreme Lord who is beyond comparison or perception resides as a soul in living beings, he symbolizes the Trigunas/Swatik, Rajasik and Thamasik and he is beyond Trigunas, he is perceivable with supreme wisdom and knowledge/intellect, he remains invisible for naked eyes, attainable for the intellectuals who focus their intellect on the supreme soul, he is self-manifested.  I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Mahesha whose presence is required for the mind to take pleasure in all the worldly matters, the supreme soul does not require any support system for its existence like the mud is essential for the creation of pot, but the mud does not require pot for its existence.  In this manner, the mind and body require the presence of the soul for its existence, the supreme soul does not require a body or mind for its existence.  I shall prostrate before supreme Lord who is residing as a soul in living beings, but none of the sense organs, body or intellect is aware of its real nature.  He is the knower of all, but the mind remains ignorant of his presence.  I shall prostrate before the supreme preceptor, who imparts the knowledge of the Supreme Lord, the mind has the ability to absorb Nama/names/chants/sounds and Roopa/appearance,  he is attainable for the worshiper who is completely surrendered to Him.  The Navadhvara’s/the nine gates in the body, Thrigunas/Swathik, Rajasik, and Thamasik are working in the presence of the supreme soul, like the fire generates by the crushing of woods, in this way, the constant practice of meditation upon the Supreme Lord would give the knowledge of self.  The Supreme Lord is beyond description, intellect, or perception, he is eternal and flawless.  He symbolizes the highest of the philosophies, he has no specific form; he is the cause and effect as well, he is absolute Bramham.  If it has a form,  all those forms have to undergo destruction, therefore the Bhramam is all-pervading it is the essence for creation, preservation, and destruction as well.  He is supreme Lord who has no specific names or appearance, he is extremely compassionate to his devotees, therefore he assumes different forms and names to instruct the soul about the highest of the philosophies.  He assumes different incarnations for elevating the soul wandering in the darkness of ignorance, oh! Lord,  kindly shower your compassionate grace upon me.”  Lord Narayana was highly pleased and appeared before Dhakshaprajapathi.  The Supreme Lord Narayana who has the complexion of dark clouds, attired in majestic yellow silk garments, adorned in various marvelous ornaments all over the body, magnificent crown and earrings, he holds Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, and lotus flower, his chest is adorned in Srivatsa, Vanamala,  and Kausthubham, was reverentially prostrated by Dhakshaprajapathi.

Lord Narayana speaks “ You have pleased me with the austerities and penances, you have performed various austerities for the welfare of the Universe, therefore you should understand the highest of the philosophy before entering into the function of creation, I was the one at the beginning of the Universe, I represent wisdom and knowledge,  all that originated from me, I preserve the same and absorbs them.  Therefore it is the duty of the living beings to remember constantly that the mind /intellect is originated from me, it should return to me.  I undertake the function of creation as Bhrama, I preserve them as Narayana and absorbs them as Rudra at the end of Yuga.  You can start the creation of the subjects, and marry Asagni.” Thus Lord Narayana disappeared from the sight of Dhaksha Prajapathi.  

The children born to Asgni and Dhakshaprajapathi were known as Hariashwas.  They proceeded to the Narayana Theertha and conducted Tapasya for several years.   Maharishi Narada met the Hariashwas undertaking penance and had a conversation with them,  Maharishi Narada asked  “Oh! Children, have you seen the end of the Universe? Which is the kingdom ruled by one and only king? The Kingdom which is impossible to re-enter once left? Which is the river flow forefront and backward? Which is the fortress made up of 25 elements? Did you know about a Hamsa/Preceptor? Have you heard of a sharp and fierce wheel spinning all the time? Oh! Children, do you know any of these?” 

||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.”