Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 6 Chapter 2:20-36

Book 6: Chapter 2

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 6: Chapter 2: Verses 20-36 The messengers of Lord Visnu expound the Bhagavata Dharma (the cult of Devotion) and Ajamila ascends to the Lord's supreme Abode Sri Suka resumed : Having thus expounded in a well-reasoned and conclusive way the cult of Devotion to the Lord (with particular reference to the marvellous efficacy of the Divine Name), O king (Pariksit), and extricated the said Brahmana (Ajamila) from the noose of Yama (the god of punishment), the messengers of Lord Visriu secured his release from (the grip of) Death. Thus foiled in controversy (by the Lord's own messengers), the messengers of Yama returned to the presence of Yama (their master) and faithfully reported everything to king Yama, O subduer of foes. Disentangled from the noose (of Yama) and rid of fear, the Brahmana (Ajamila) was his former self again (became healthy and pious as before) and, delighted with their sight, bowed his head to the servants of Lord Visnu. Perceiving him eager to speak, the servants of Bhagavan Visnu (the Supreme Person) suddenly disappeared at that (very) spot, even as he looked on, O sinless one! Having heard from the mouth severally of the messengers of Sri Krsna (Lord Visnu) and Yama an exposition of the cult of Devotion to the Lord-which is untainted by the three Gunas (inasmuch as it is concerned from the beginning to the end with the worship of the Lord, who is entirely beyond the realm of the three Gunas and takes one beyond the world of matter, which is a product of the three Gunas)-and the path of worldly activity (which is mainly concerned with the world of matter and holds out the promise of heavenly bliss, a product of the three Gunas, and has been) taught by the three Vedas (which mainly deal with rituals), Ajamila too now soon conceived devotion to the Lord as a result of hearing the glories of Sri Hari (the Destroyer of all sins) and great was his repentance as he recollected his (past) sin. (He said to himself) "Oh, it was the worst tragedy for me, who forfeited my Brahmanhood by being born (reproduced in the form of sons) through a Sudra woman, because of my being unable to curb my (lower) self (animal passions) ! Fie upon my wicked self, condemned by (all) good men, the blot of my race, who kept an unchaste wench given to drinking, having abandoned a faithful wife who was yet very young. Oh, my aged parents, who were without a protector and had no other relation (such as a son) and were much afflicted (because of me), were forthwith deserted by my ungrateful self as by a vile man. As such I shall surely fall into a most dreadful hell, where lustful men, who have violated Dharma (righteousness) suffer tortures inflicted by Yama. "Was (all) this wonder seen by me in a dream or with my own eyes here (in waking life)? Where have they now gone, who proceeded to tear me (my life) from my body, noose in hand? Again, where have those four angelic persons gone, who were (so) good-looking and got me released while I was being taken to the infernal regions (situated below the earth), fastened with nooses? Though I have been so accursed (in my present birth), yet I must have earned (in my previous lives some) extraordinary merit which blessed me with the sight of those foremost gods, as a result of which my mind is so calm and cheerful (today). Otherwise (but for such extraordinary merit) my tongue, the tongue of an impious fellow, who kept a Sudra woman, was not fit to utter the name of Lord Visnu-the only means of capturing Him-in this helpless state and at a time when I was on the verge of death. The two stood poles asunder-myself, a wicked swindler, lost to (all) shame, who violated his Brahmanhood, and the (most) auspicious name of the Lord,'Narayana`.Having controlled my mind, Indriyas (the senses of perception as well as the organs of action) and breath, I shall as such so endeavour that I may not drown myself in the blinding gloom of transmigration again. Having got rid of the bondage of mudane existence-so well-known (in the shape of ties of attachment to son, wife, house and so on), and resulting from ignorance (manifested in the form of self-identification with the body etc.), and from the craving for the gratification of the senses and activity on the shape of endeavour to procure such gratification)-benevolent to all living beings, free from craving for the pleasures of sense, friendly and compassionate (to all) and' with (my) mind fully controlled,