Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 28
Ajāmila Delivered: Viṣṇudūtas Establish the Supremacy of the Holy Name
वृद्धावनाथौ पितरौ नान्यबन्धू तपस्विनौ । अहो मयाधुना त्यक्तावकृतज्ञेन नीचवत् ॥ २८ ॥
vṛddhāv anāthau pitarau nānya-bandhū tapasvinau aho mayādhunā tyaktāv akṛtajñena nīcavat
My father and mother were old and had no other son or friend to look after them. Because I did not take care of them, they lived with great difficulty. Alas, like an abominable lower-class man, I ungratefully left them in that condition.
According to Vedic civilization, everyone has the responsibility for taking care of brāhmaṇas, old men, women, children and cows. This is the duty of everyone, especially an upper-class person. Because of his association with a prostitute, Ajāmila abandoned all his duties. Regretting this, Ajāmila now considered himself quite fallen.
FAQs
This verse shows Ajāmila’s remorse: abandoning aged, dependent parents is condemned as ingratitude and low behavior, contrary to dharma.
Remembering his saintly parents, Ajāmila recognizes that his sinful life led him to abandon them, and he laments his moral collapse.
Practice gratitude and responsibility toward caregivers and elders, and when one has strayed, begin sincere self-correction grounded in dharma and devotion.