Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 45
Ajāmila Delivered: Viṣṇudūtas Establish the Supremacy of the Holy Name
एवं स विप्लावितसर्वधर्मा दास्या: पति: पतितो गर्ह्यकर्मणा । निपात्यमानो निरये हतव्रत: सद्यो विमुक्तो भगवन्नाम गृह्णन् ॥ ४५ ॥
evaṁ sa viplāvita-sarva-dharmā dāsyāḥ patiḥ patito garhya-karmaṇā nipātyamāno niraye hata-vrataḥ sadyo vimukto bhagavan-nāma gṛhṇan
Ajāmila was a brāhmaṇa who because of bad association had given up all brahminical culture and religious principles. Becoming most fallen, he stole, drank and performed other abominable acts. He even kept a prostitute. Thus he was destined to be carried away to hell by the order carriers of Yamarāja, but he was immediately rescued simply by a glimpse of the chanting of the holy name Nārāyaṇa.
FAQs
This verse states that even a fallen person being dragged to hell can be immediately freed by taking the name of Bhagavān—showing the extraordinary purifying power of the Lord’s name.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse to Mahārāja Parīkṣit while narrating Ajāmila’s history and the saving potency of uttering the Lord’s name.
Despite past mistakes, one can begin sincere bhakti by regularly chanting the Lord’s names; the practice rebuilds dharma and redirects life toward purification and liberation.