Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 26
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
भुञ्जान: प्रपिबन् खादन् बालकं स्नेहयन्त्रित: । भोजयन् पाययन् मूढो न वेदागतमन्तकम् ॥ २६ ॥
bhuñjānaḥ prapiban khādan bālakaṁ sneha-yantritaḥ bhojayan pāyayan mūḍho na vedāgatam antakam
Cuando Ajāmila masticaba y comía, atado por el afecto llamaba al niño para que también masticara y comiera; y cuando bebía, lo llamaba para que bebiera. Siempre ocupado en cuidar al hijo y en pronunciar su nombre, “Nārāyaṇa”, Ajāmila no comprendió que su tiempo se había agotado y que la muerte estaba ya sobre él.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is kind to the conditioned soul. Although this man completely forgot Nārāyaṇa, he was calling his child, saying, “Nārāyaṇa, please come eat this food. Nārāyaṇa, please come drink this milk.” Somehow or other, therefore, he was attached to the name Nārāyaṇa. This is called ajñāta-sukṛti. Although calling for his son, he was unknowingly chanting the name of Nārāyaṇa, and the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is so transcendentally powerful that his chanting was being counted and recorded.
FAQs
This verse shows Ajāmila becoming so controlled by affection for his child that he goes on eating and serving the boy, unaware that death has already approached—warning that worldly attachment can blind one to life’s impermanence.
Because Ajāmila, overwhelmed by parental affection, fails to perceive the nearness of Antaka (death), illustrating how māyā covers discrimination and spiritual urgency.
Care for family responsibly, but cultivate daily remembrance of Bhagavān (nāma-japa, sādhana, and awareness of mortality) so that affection does not eclipse spiritual preparation.