Shloka 25
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
स बद्धहृदयस्तस्मिन्नर्भके कलभाषिणि । निरीक्षमाणस्तल्लीलां मुमुदे जरठो भृशम् ॥ २५ ॥
sa baddha-hṛdayas tasminn arbhake kala-bhāṣiṇi nirīkṣamāṇas tal-līlāṁ mumude jaraṭho bhṛśam
Durch das lallende Sprechen des Kindes und seine unbeholfenen Bewegungen war Ajāmilas Herz an ihn gebunden. Der Greis schaute seine līlās an, sorgte für ihn und freute sich sehr.
Here it is clearly mentioned that the child Nārāyaṇa was so young that he could not even speak or walk properly. Since the old man was very attached to the child, he enjoyed the child’s activities, and because the child’s name was Nārāyaṇa, the old man always chanted the holy name of Nārāyaṇa. Although he was referring to the small child and not to the original Nārāyaṇa, the name of Nārāyaṇa is so powerful that even by chanting his son’s name he was becoming purified ( harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam ). Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has therefore declared that if one’s mind is somehow or other attracted by the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ( tasmāt kenāpy upāyena manaḥ kṛṣṇe niveśayet ), one is on the path of liberation. It is customary in Hindu society for parents to give their children names like Kṛṣṇadāsa, Govinda dāsa, Nārāyaṇa dāsa and Vṛndāvana dāsa. Thus they chant the names Kṛṣṇa, Govinda, Nārāyaṇa and Vṛndāvana and get the chance to be purified.
FAQs
This verse shows how intense affection can bind the heart—Ajāmila, though aged, became deeply attached by simply watching his child’s sweet speech and playful acts, illustrating how material attachment strengthens through everyday intimacy.
Śukadeva highlights the psychological root of Ajāmila’s further entanglement: his growing attachment (baddha-hṛdaya) to the child becomes a key factor in the life of neglect that follows, setting the stage for the later turning point at death.
Love and care can be offered as service to God, but one should remain mindful that delight in family life can silently become bondage; regular sādhana (hearing/chanting) helps keep affection spiritualized rather than possessive.