Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 12
Ajāmila Delivered: Viṣṇudūtas Establish the Supremacy of the Holy Name
नैकान्तिकं तद्धि कृतेऽपि निष्कृते मन: पुनर्धावति चेदसत्पथे । तत्कर्मनिर्हारमभीप्सतां हरे- र्गुणानुवाद: खलु सत्त्वभावन: ॥ १२ ॥
naikāntikaṁ tad dhi kṛte ’pi niṣkṛte manaḥ punar dhāvati ced asat-pathe tat karma-nirhāram abhīpsatāṁ harer guṇānuvādaḥ khalu sattva-bhāvanaḥ
The ritualistic ceremonies of atonement recommended in the religious scriptures are insufficient to cleanse the heart absolutely because after atonement one’s mind again runs toward material activities. Consequently, for one who wants liberation from the fruitive reactions of material activities, the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, or glorification of the name, fame and pastimes of the Lord, is recommended as the most perfect process of atonement because such chanting eradicates the dirt from one’s heart completely.
The statements in this verse have been confirmed previously in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.17) :
FAQs
This verse says atonement is not conclusive if the mind returns to sinful paths; lasting purification comes from glorifying Lord Hari, which strengthens sattva and reforms the heart.
Because Ajāmila’s deliverance highlights that bhakti—especially remembrance and glorification of the Lord—can uproot karmic reactions at the root, unlike temporary expiations that may not change the mind.
Along with correcting behavior, build daily habits of bhakti—hearing and speaking about God’s qualities, chanting, and keeping saintly association—so the mind gains higher taste and doesn’t relapse into harmful patterns.