Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 6 Chapter 3:14-26

Book 6: Chapter 3

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 6: Chapter 3: Verses 14-26 A dialogue between Yama (the god of retribution) and his messengers Myself (Yama, the guardian of the southern quarter), the mighty Indra (the guardian of the east), Nirrti (the demon presiding over the south-west), Varuna (the god of water, presiding over the western quarter), the moon-god (the guardian of the north), the god of fire (the guardian of the south-east), Lord Siva (the guardian of the north-east), the god of the air (the guardian of the north-west), the sun-god, Brahma (the creator), the (twelve) sons of Aditi (presiding by turns month after month, over the sun), (the group of gods known as ) the Viswedevas, the (eight) Vasus (another class of gods) and (the group of gods called) the Sadhyas, the (forty-nine) Maruts (wind-gods), the (eleven) Rudras (the gods presiding over destruction) along with the Siddhas (a class of demigods endowed with mystic powers from their very birth), the creators of the world like (the sage) Bhrgu, the rulers (adored) of gods (such as the sage Brhaspati, the preceptor of the gods) and others too who are untainted with Rajas and Tamas and in whom Sattva predominates have no knowledge of His intention-dominated as they are by His Maya (deluding potency)-much less those other than these. Even as colours (the objects of sight) cannot perceive the faculty of vision, which reveals them, the Jivas cannot grasp or reach with (their) senses of perception, mind or organs of action (which predominantly manifest the activity of the vital airs) nor with (their) intellect or speech Him who is the seer of all living beings, though dwelling in their very heart (as their Inner Controller). Charming messengers of the aforementioned Sri Hari, the Supreme Person, the absolute and transcendent Lord, the Controller of Maya (Prakrti), generally go about in this world (for the good of the Jivas), endowed as they are with a form, virtues and disposition similar to those of their (divine) Master. Those most wonderful servants of Lord Visnu, who are adored (even) by the gods and whose (transcendental) forms cannot be easily perceived (by earthly beings), protect mortals devoted to the Lord from enemies as well as from myself (Death), yea, from everyone else. As a matter of fact, neither seers nor even gods nor the foremost of the Siddhas can precisely know (the secret of) virtue (as) expounded by the Lord Himself; how, then, can the demons, human beings, Vidyadharas (celestial artistes), Caranas (heavenly bards) and others know it? Brahma (the self-born), the sage Narada, Lord Siva (the fountain-head of blessedness), the sage Sanatkumara, Lord Kapila, Swayambhuva Manu, Prahrada, king Janaka, Bhisma, the demon king Bali, the sage Suka (son of Vyasa) and myself (Yama)-these twelve (alone) know (the essence of) Dharma (as) taught by the Lord-secret, pure and difficult to understand-by knowing which one enjoys immortality (in the shape of final beatitude). To develop loving attachment to the Lord through the utterance of His Name and so on-this alone has been declared to be the paramount duty of (all) men in this world. Realize, my boys, the glory of uttering the name of Sri Hari, by which alone (pronounced unintentionally once only) even (a vile sinner like) Ajamila was liberated from the noose of Death! To celebrate duly the virtues and exploits of the Lord and to chant His name-this much is not needed for (merely) wiping out the sins of men ! For even the (most) sinful Ajamila attained liberation by (simply) calling his son at the pitch of his voice (and not with proper - intonation) as Narayana (and that too) while on the verge of death (when neither his body nor his mind was in a sound condition). Alas ! the average learned man (well-versed in the scriptures-whose judgement is completely bewildered by the all-powerful (divine) Maya (deluding potency) and whose thought is focussed on (the teachings of) the three Vedas, full of sweet and attractive encomiums (on the efficacy or rituals as leading to heaven)--generally does not realize the aforesaid glory of the Divine Name, and remains engaged in grand sacrificial undertakings. Pondering thus, the wise indeed resort with an undivided mind to the practices (the chanting of the Divine Name and so on) making for loving Devotion to the Lord possessing infinite virtues. They do not merit punishment at my hands (because ordinarily there can be no question of their committing sins). Even if a sin is ever committed by them (through inadvertence), the (very) utterance of the Name of Lord (who is widely sung) obliterates it.