Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 6 Chapter 2:37-49

Book 6: Chapter 2

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 6: Chapter 2: Verses 37-49 The messengers of Lord Visnu expound the Bhagavata Dharma (the cult of Devotion) and Ajamila ascends to the Lord's supreme Abode I shall redeem myself, completely dominated as I am by the Lord's Maya (deluding potency) in the shape of woman, by whom my wretched self has indeed been fully toyed with even as an animal kept for pleasure. Giving up the sense of 'I' and 'mine' in relation severally to the body and whatever is connected with it, and with my thought fixed on the real substance (the Spirit), I shall devote my mind to the almighty Lord when it has been purified by chanting His names and praises and other ways of Devotion (such as hearing His praises and remembering Him)" Sri Suka began again : Having thus conceived a thorough aversion to the pleasures of sense, thanks to a moment's association with the pious servants of Lord Visnu, and throwing off all fetters (in the shape of affection for his mistress and children), Ajamila retired to Gangadwara (the sacred spot where the holy river Ganga descends into the plains, and which is now known by the name of Hariksetra or Haridwara). Settling down at that holy place (an eternal abode of the Lord) and betaking himself to the path of Yoga, he withdrew all his senses (from their objects) and fixed his mind on the supreme self. Then, dissociating the mind from the body and senses etc., through concentration of the same, he devoted it to the essence of the Lord, (known by the name of) Brahma, that is all consciousness. When his mind was (thus) irrevocably fixed on the aforesaid Brahma, the Brahmana beheld in front of him the same (angelic) persons and, recognizing them, as seen before, bowed his head to them. Having quitted his (earthly) body at that sacred place (Gangadwara) on the bank of the (holy) Ganga (immediately) after their sight, he forthwith assumed a (divine) body similar to the form of the Lord's attendants (dwelling by His side). Mounting an aerial car made of gold, the Brahmana (Ajamila) ascended with those servants of Lord Visnu (the Supreme Person) through the heavens to the (divine) realm (known by the name of Vaikuntha), where resides the Spouse of Sri (the goddess of beauty and prosperity). In this way that Brahmana, who, consequent on his having kept a woman of the menial class had transgressed all his sacred duties and broken his vows (of fidelity to his wife and so on) and who had not only fallen (from his Brahmanhood) due to his reprehensible conduct but was going to be cast to hell (by the servants of Yama), was at once completely freed (from the noose of Yama) by uttering the Divine Name. For those seeking liberation there is nothing more efficacious in cutting the root of sin (in the form of identification with the body) than chanting the Name and glories of Lord Visnu (whose feet purify those who resort to them). Thanks to the chanting of His names, the mind does not (ordinarily) get attached to (sinful) actions again, whereas it remains tainted with Rajas and Tamas (even) after purificatory processes other than this have been gone through. He who, full of reverence hears this legend, which is a most profound secret (of the scriptures) and is capable of destroying (all) one's sins, as well as he who repeats it with devotion (after hearing it) never goes to hell nor dare the servants of Yama look at him. However accursed (sinful) he may have been, such a mortal is adored (hereafter) in Vaikuntha (the realm of Lord Visnu). Even (a great sinner like) Ajamila, who uttered, while dying (in a helpless state without reverence) the name of Sri Hari and that too in its secondary application as denoting his son, ascended to the Lord's (divine) Abode ! What wonder, then, if one who pronounces it with reverence should attain to His Abode? Thus ends the second discourse, forming part of the story of Ajamila, in Book Six of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana,otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.