Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 36
Ajāmila Delivered: Viṣṇudūtas Establish the Supremacy of the Holy Name
विमुच्य तमिमं बन्धमविद्याकामकर्मजम् । सर्वभूतसुहृच्छान्तो मैत्र: करुण आत्मवान् ॥ ३६ ॥ मोचये ग्रस्तमात्मानं योषिन्मय्यात्ममायया । विक्रीडितो ययैवाहं क्रीडामृग इवाधम: ॥ ३७ ॥
vimucya tam imaṁ bandham avidyā-kāma-karmajam sarva-bhūta-suhṛc chānto maitraḥ karuṇa ātmavān
身体を自己と同一視するゆえに無明が生じ、無明から欲望が起こり、欲望から善悪の行為が生まれる—これが物質の束縛である。いま私は、無明・欲望・業から生じたこの絆を断ち、すべての生きとし生けるものの善友となって、静けさと慈愛と憐れみを備え、自制し、女の姿をとるアートマ・マーヤーに呑まれた自分を解き放つ。
This should be the standard of determination for all Kṛṣṇa conscious persons. A Kṛṣṇa conscious person should free himself from the clutches of māyā, and he should also be compassionate to all others suffering in those clutches. The activities of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are meant not only for oneself but for others also. This is the perfection of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One who is interested in his own salvation is not as advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness as one who feels compassion for others and who therefore propagates the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Such an advanced devotee will never fall down, for Kṛṣṇa will give him special protection. That is the sum and substance of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Everyone is like a play toy in the hands of the illusory energy and is acting as she moves him. One should come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness to release oneself and also to release others.
FAQs
This verse states that material bondage arises from avidyā (ignorance), kāma (desire), and karma (fruitive action), and that one should seek freedom by renouncing that chain.
After realizing how he was saved from Yamadūtas by the Lord’s mercy, Ajāmila aspires for the qualities of a purified devotee—peaceful, self-controlled, and a well-wisher of all—rather than returning to selfish life.
Reduce desire-driven habits, act less for egoic gain, and deliberately cultivate compassion—seeing others as souls—while practicing devotion that brings inner peace and self-mastery.