Shloka 21
यमस्य अधिकारभङ्गः — वैष्णवस्य लक्षणम्
Freedom from Yama through Hari-śaraṇāgati
कलिकलुषमलेन यस्य नात्मा विमलमतेर् मलिनीकृतो ऽस्तमोहे मनसि कृतजनार्दनं मनुष्यं सततम् अवैहि हरेर् अतीव भक्तम्
kalikaluṣamalena yasya nātmā vimalamater malinīkṛto 'stamohe manasi kṛtajanārdanaṃ manuṣyaṃ satatam avaihi harer atīva bhaktam
Know, without doubt and at all times, as exceedingly devoted to Hari that person whose inner self, though living in the age of Kali, is not stained by its foulness; whose lucid understanding is not clouded by delusion; and in whose mind Janārdana has been firmly established as a constant refuge.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Concept: Even in Kali-yuga, the supreme devotee is one whose inner self remains unstained, whose discernment is unclouded, and in whose mind Janārdana is firmly installed as the constant refuge.
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: Treat daily remembrance (smaraṇa) as mental hygiene: reduce inputs that agitate the mind and consciously re-seat the Lord at the center of attention.
Vishishtadvaita: The Lord is ‘made present’ in the heart (antaryāmin-like intimacy), supporting the Viśiṣṭādvaita stress on personal God as indwelling refuge without erasing individuality.
Vishnu Form: Narayana
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Antaryamin: Yes
FAQs
This verse defines spiritual greatness in Kali not by social status but by inner purity—one whose self and intellect are not defiled by Kali’s moral and mental pollution is recognized as a true devotee of Hari.
He points to inner anchoring: “manasi kṛta-janārdanam”—establishing Janārdana in the mind. Steady remembrance and devotion protect clarity of intellect from moha.
Vishnu is presented as the supreme refuge and indwelling focus whose presence in the mind purifies and stabilizes the devotee, making bhakti the decisive path even amid Kali’s decline.