Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 7
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
श्रीशुक उवाच न चेदिहैवापचितिं यथांहस: कृतस्य कुर्यान्मनउक्तपाणिभि: । ध्रुवं स वै प्रेत्य नरकानुपैति ये कीर्तिता मे भवतस्तिग्मयातना: ॥ ७ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca na ced ihaivāpacitiṁ yathāṁhasaḥ kṛtasya kuryān mana-ukta-pāṇibhiḥ dhruvaṁ sa vai pretya narakān upaiti ye kīrtitā me bhavatas tigma-yātanāḥ
Śukadeva Gosvāmī replied: My dear King, if before one’s next death whatever impious acts one has performed in this life with his mind, words and body are not counteracted through proper atonement according to the description of the Manu-saṁhitā and other dharma-śāstras, one will certainly enter the hellish planets after death and undergo terrible suffering, as I have previously described to you.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura mentions that although Mahārāja Parīkṣit was a pure devotee, Śukadeva Gosvāmī did not immediately speak to him about the strength of devotional service. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (14.26) :
FAQs
This verse states that one should perform appropriate atonement in this very life for sins committed by mind, speech, and actions; otherwise one is destined to suffer hellish consequences after death.
In the opening of the Ajāmila narrative, Śukadeva explains the law of karma and the results of sin, setting the stage for discussing atonement and the superior power of devotion and the Lord’s holy name.
Regularly review your actions, speech, and intentions; admit wrongdoing; make amends; adopt disciplined spiritual practices; and avoid repeating harmful habits—treating inner reform as urgent rather than postponing it.