Shloka 15
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
केचित्केवलया भक्त्या वासुदेवपरायणा: । अघं धुन्वन्ति कार्त्स्न्येन नीहारमिव भास्कर: ॥ १५ ॥
kecit kevalayā bhaktyā vāsudeva-parāyaṇāḥ aghaṁ dhunvanti kārtsnyena nīhāram iva bhāskaraḥ
Nur ein seltener Mensch, der sich Vasudeva in reiner, unvermischter Bhakti ganz hingibt, kann die Sünde samt Wurzel ausreißen; so wie die Sonne den Nebel augenblicklich mit ihren Strahlen vertreibt.
In the previous verse Śukadeva Gosvāmī gave the example that the dried leaves of creepers beneath a bamboo tree may be completely burnt to ashes by a fire, although the creepers may sprout again because the root is still in the ground. Similarly, because the root of sinful desire is not destroyed in the heart of a person who is cultivating knowledge but who has no taste for devotional service, there is a possibility that his sinful desires will reappear. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.4) :
FAQs
This verse says that exclusive devotion to Vāsudeva destroys sin completely, like sunlight clearing away fog.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks while explaining to King Parīkṣit the power of devotion in the Ajāmila narrative—showing that bhakti can nullify sinful reactions.
Make Kṛṣṇa your primary shelter through steady remembrance, sincere prayer, and regular bhakti practices (hearing, chanting, and service), trusting that devotion purifies the heart.