Shloka 8
Yamarāja Instructs the Yamadūtas: Supreme Authority, Mahājanas, and the Glory of the Holy Name
तस्य ते विहितो दण्डो न लोके वर्ततेऽधुना । चतुर्भिरद्भुतै: सिद्धैराज्ञा ते विप्रलम्भिता ॥ ८ ॥
tasya te vihito daṇḍo na loke vartate ’dhunā caturbhir adbhutaiḥ siddhair ājñā te vipralambhitā
Mais à présent nous voyons que le châtiment établi sous ton autorité n’agit plus dans ce monde, car ton ordre a été transgressé par quatre êtres merveilleux et parfaits.
The Yamadūtas had been under the impression that Yamarāja was the only person in charge of administering justice. They were fully confident that no one could counteract his judgments, but now, to their surprise, his order had been violated by the four wonderful persons from Siddhaloka.
FAQs
This verse states that the punishment ordained by Yama’s servants could not proceed because four extraordinary perfected beings (the Viṣṇudūtas) intervened and checked their authority.
In Ajāmila’s case, the Viṣṇudūtas appeared and forbade the Yamadūtas from taking him, asserting a higher divine jurisdiction connected to devotion and the Lord’s name.
It encourages sincere bhakti—especially remembrance and chanting of the Lord’s names—while also reminding one to live responsibly, since divine grace can transform even a fallen life when devotion awakens.