Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 25
Ajāmila Delivered: Viṣṇudūtas Establish the Supremacy of the Holy Name
अजामिलोऽप्यथाकर्ण्य दूतानां यमकृष्णयो: । धर्मं भागवतं शुद्धं त्रैवेद्यं च गुणाश्रयम् ॥ २४ ॥ भक्तिमान् भगवत्याशु माहात्म्यश्रवणाद्धरे: । अनुतापो महानासीत्स्मरतोऽशुभमात्मन: ॥ २५ ॥
ajāmilo ’py athākarṇya dūtānāṁ yama-kṛṣṇayoḥ dharmaṁ bhāgavataṁ śuddhaṁ trai-vedyaṁ ca guṇāśrayam
After hearing the discourses between the Yamadūtas and the Viṣṇudūtas, Ajāmila could understand the religious principles that act under the three modes of material nature. These principles are mentioned in the three Vedas. He could also understand the transcendental religious principles, which are above the modes of material nature and which concern the relationship between the living being and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Furthermore, Ajāmila heard glorification of the name, fame, qualities and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He thus became a perfectly pure devotee. He could then remember his past sinful activities, which he greatly regretted having performed.
In Bhagavad-gītā (2.45) Lord Kṛṣṇa told Arjuna:
FAQs
This verse says Ajāmila understood pure bhāgavata-dharma, which is not merely ritualistic religion within the three Vedas, but a transcendental path not dependent on material qualities.
Their debate establishes what true dharma is—whether a sinner must be taken for punishment or whether the Lord’s devotion and holy name can nullify sinful reactions and grant protection.
Prioritize devotional hearing, chanting, and remembrance of the Lord over mere external religiosity, aiming for inner transformation rather than only ritual performance.