Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 18
Parīkṣit’s Full Surrender and Śukadeva’s Maṅgalācaraṇa to Kṛṣṇa
Inquiry into Creation, Maintenance, and Dissolution
किरातहूणान्ध्रपुलिन्दपुल्कशा आभीरशुम्भा यवना: खसादय: । येऽन्ये च पापा यदपाश्रयाश्रया: शुध्यन्ति तस्मै प्रभविष्णवे नम: ॥ १८ ॥
kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ ye ’nye ca pāpā yad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ śudhyanti tasmai prabhaviṣṇave namaḥ
Les Kirāta, Hūṇa, Āndhra, Pulinda, Pulkaśa, Ābhīra, Śumbha, Yavana, les Khasa et même d’autres voués au péché—en prenant refuge auprès des dévots du Seigneur—sont purifiés par Sa puissance suprême. À ce Prabhaviṣṇu j’offre mes hommages.
Kirāta: A province of old Bhārata-varṣa mentioned in the Bhīṣma-parva of Mahābhārata. Generally the Kirātas are known as the aboriginal tribes of India, and in modern days the Santal Parganas in Bihar and Chota Nagpur might comprise the old province named Kirāta.
FAQs
This verse (SB 2.4.18) says that even those considered sinful or outside Vedic society become purified by taking shelter of devotees—those who themselves have taken shelter of Lord Viṣṇu.
To emphasize the universal reach of bhakti: the Lord’s grace works beyond birth, ethnicity, or social status, especially through association with His devotees.
Seek genuine saintly association, hear and chant the Lord’s names in that company, and take guidance from devotees—this is presented as a practical path to inner purification.