Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 9
Ajāmila Delivered: Viṣṇudūtas Establish the Supremacy of the Holy Name
स्तेन: सुरापो मित्रध्रुग् ब्रह्महा गुरुतल्पग: । स्त्रीराजपितृगोहन्ता ये च पातकिनोऽपरे ॥ ९ ॥ सर्वेषामप्यघवतामिदमेव सुनिष्कृतम् । नामव्याहरणं विष्णोर्यतस्तद्विषया मति: ॥ १० ॥
stenaḥ surā-po mitra-dhrug brahma-hā guru-talpa-gaḥ strī-rāja-pitṛ-go-hantā ye ca pātakino ’pare
The chanting of the holy name of Lord Viṣṇu is the best process of atonement for a thief of gold or other valuables, for a drunkard, for one who betrays a friend or relative, for one who kills a brāhmaṇa, or for one who indulges in sex with the wife of his guru or another superior. It is also the best method of atonement for one who murders women, the king or his father, for one who slaughters cows, and for all other sinful men. Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Viṣṇu, such sinful persons may attract the attention of the Supreme Lord, who therefore considers, “Because this man has chanted My holy name, My duty is to give him protection.”
FAQs
This verse lists extreme sins to show that Bhagavatam’s teaching on purification is meant even for those burdened with the gravest wrongdoing.
He is preparing the point that the ultimate remedy is not merely ritual atonement but the purifying power connected with remembrance and utterance of Lord Viṣṇu’s name.
Instead of despair, one should take shelter of sincere nāma-japa (chanting the Lord’s names), reform one’s conduct, and seek devotional association—trusting that bhakti purifies at the root.