Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 34

Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna

Devanagari script

सर्वे पद्मपलाशाक्षा: पीतकौशेयवासस: । किरीटिन: कुण्डलिनो लसत्पुष्करमालिन: ॥ ३४ ॥ सर्वे च नूत्नवयस: सर्वे चारुचतुर्भुजा: । धनुर्निषङ्गासिगदाशङ्खचक्राम्बुजश्रिय: ॥ ३५ ॥ दिशो वितिमिरालोका: कुर्वन्त: स्वेन तेजसा । किमर्थं धर्मपालस्य किङ्करान्नो निषेधथ ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

sarve padma-palāśākṣāḥ pīta-kauśeya-vāsasaḥ kirīṭinaḥ kuṇḍalino lasat-puṣkara-mālinaḥ

Translation

The servants of Yama said: “Your eyes are like lotus petals; you wear yellow silk, crowns and earrings, and shining garlands of lotuses. All of you appear youthful, beautiful, and four-armed, bearing bow and quiver, sword, club, conch, disc, and lotus. Your radiance has dispelled the darkness in every direction—why, then, do you obstruct us, the servants of the protector of dharma?”

Synonyms

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन — ‘all’

• padma-palāśa-akṣāḥ: having lotus-petal-like eyes
• padma-palāśa-akṣāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: padma (प्रातिपदिक) + palāśa (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि ‘पद्मपलाशवत् अक्षी यस्य’ (whose eyes are like lotus-petals); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• pīta-kauśeya-vāsasaḥ: wearing yellow silk garments
• pīta-kauśeya-vāsasaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pīta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + kauśeya (प्रातिपदिक) + vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि ‘पीतं कौशेयं वासो यस्य’ (whose garments are yellow silk); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• kirīṭinaḥ: crowned
• kirīṭinaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kirīṭin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन — possessive adjective ‘crowned’

• kuṇḍalinaḥ: wearing earrings
• kuṇḍalinaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kuṇḍalin (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन — ‘wearing earrings’

• lasat-puṣkara-mālinaḥ: wearing shining lotus garlands
• lasat-puṣkara-mālinaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lasat (√las, शतृ-कृदन्त) + puṣkara (प्रातिपदिक) + mālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि ‘लसत् पुष्करमाला यस्य’ (who has a shining lotus-garland); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Purport

Before even being introduced to a foreigner, one becomes acquainted with him through his dress, bodily features and behavior and can thus understand his position. Therefore when the Yamadūtas saw the Viṣṇudūtas for the first time, they were surprised. They said, “By your bodily features you appear to be very exalted gentlemen, and you have such celestial power that you have dissipated the darkness of this material world with your own effulgences. Why then should you endeavor to stop us from executing our duty?” It will be explained that the Yamadūtas, the order carriers of Yamarāja, mistakenly considered Ajāmila sinful. They did not know that although he was sinful throughout his entire life, he was purified by constantly chanting the holy name of Nārāyaṇa. In other words, unless one is a Vaiṣṇava, one cannot understand the activities of a Vaiṣṇava.

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇudūtas

FAQs

Who are the Viṣṇudūtas described in Srimad Bhagavatam 6.1.34?

They are the divine messengers of Lord Viṣṇu, recognized by their lotus-like eyes, yellow silk garments, and brilliant ornaments.

Why do the Yamadūtas describe the Viṣṇudūtas’ appearance in the Ajāmila episode?

Because the Viṣṇudūtas suddenly intervene to stop Ajāmila’s arrest, and the Yamadūtas are astonished by their extraordinary, divine presence.

Practical application: what does this verse teach about divine protection?

It reinforces faith that sincere connection to the Lord (bhakti) invokes higher protection that surpasses fear and punishment.