Shloka 22
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
बन्द्यक्षै: कैतवैश्चौर्यैर्गर्हितां वृत्तिमास्थित: । बिभ्रत्कुटुम्बमशुचिर्यातयामास देहिन: ॥ २२ ॥
bandy-akṣaiḥ kaitavaiś cauryair garhitāṁ vṛttim āsthitaḥ bibhrat kuṭumbam aśucir yātayām āsa dehinaḥ
Cet Ajāmila déchu adopta un gagne‑pain blâmable : arrêter des gens, tricher au jeu et voler ou piller ouvertement. Impur, il faisait souffrir autrui pour nourrir sa femme et ses enfants.
This verse indicates how degraded one becomes simply by indulging in illicit sex with a prostitute. Illicit sex is not possible with a chaste or aristocratic woman, but only with unchaste śūdras. The more society allows prostitution and illicit sex, the more impetus it gives to cheaters, thieves, plunderers, drunkards and gamblers. Therefore we first advise all the disciples in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement to avoid illicit sex, which is the beginning of all abominable life and which is followed by meat-eating, gambling and intoxication, one after another. Of course, restraint is very difficult, but it is quite possible if one fully surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, since all these abominable habits gradually become distasteful for a Kṛṣṇa conscious person. If illicit sex is allowed to increase in a society, however, the entire society will be condemned, for it will be full of rogues, thieves, cheaters and so forth.
FAQs
This verse condemns such livelihoods as garhitā (blameworthy) and explains that supporting oneself this way leads to impurity and causes suffering to other embodied beings, creating heavy karmic reactions.
To show how association and uncontrolled senses can push a person into adharma, setting the background for Ajāmila’s later crisis and the Bhagavatam’s teaching on the power of the Lord’s holy name.
Choose honest, dharmic work even under pressure, because unjust gain harms others and degrades one’s consciousness—whereas integrity supports spiritual progress and peace of mind.