Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 16
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
न तथा ह्यघवान् राजन्पूयेत तपआदिभि: । यथा कृष्णार्पितप्राणस्तत्पुरुषनिषेवया ॥ १६ ॥
na tathā hy aghavān rājan pūyeta tapa-ādibhiḥ yathā kṛṣṇārpita-prāṇas tat-puruṣa-niṣevayā
王よ、罪ある者は苦行や贖罪、梵行などだけではそれほど清まらない。真の主の भक्तに仕え、命をシュリー・クリシュナの蓮華の御足に捧げるとき、完全に浄化される。
Tat-puruṣa refers to a preacher of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, such as the spiritual master. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has said, chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava-sevā nistāra pāyeche kebā: “Without serving a bona fide spiritual master, an ideal Vaiṣṇava, who can be delivered from the clutches of māyā ?” This idea is also expressed in many other places. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.5.2) says, mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimukteḥ: if one desires liberation from the clutches of māyā, one must associate with a pure devotee mahātmā. A mahātmā is one who engages twenty-four hours daily in the loving service of the Lord. As Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.13) :
FAQs
It teaches that austerity and similar penances do not purify a sinner as powerfully as dedicating one’s life to Kṛṣṇa and serving His devotees.
In the discussion on atonement and liberation (connected to Ajāmila’s history), Śukadeva explains that bhakti and service to devotees surpass ordinary expiation in truly removing sinful reactions.
Seek saintly association, support devotional communities, hear and chant about Kṛṣṇa, and offer your time and abilities in practical service to sincere devotees.