Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 14
Yamarāja Instructs the Yamadūtas: Supreme Authority, Mahājanas, and the Glory of the Holy Name
अहं महेन्द्रो निऋर्ति: प्रचेता: सोमोऽग्निरीश: पवनो विरिञ्चि: । आदित्यविश्वे वसवोऽथ साध्या मरुद्गणा रुद्रगणा: ससिद्धा: ॥ १४ ॥ अन्ये च ये विश्वसृजोऽमरेशा भृग्वादयोऽस्पृष्टरजस्तमस्का: । यस्येहितं न विदु: स्पृष्टमाया: सत्त्वप्रधाना अपि किं ततोऽन्ये ॥ १५ ॥
ahaṁ mahendro nirṛtiḥ pracetāḥ somo ’gnir īśaḥ pavano viriñciḥ āditya-viśve vasavo ’tha sādhyā marud-gaṇā rudra-gaṇāḥ sasiddhāḥ
我は閻魔王、天界の王インドラ、ニルリティ、ヴァルナ、月神チャンドラ、火神アグニ、主シヴァ、風神パヴァナ、梵天ブラフマー、日神スーリヤ、ヴィシュヴェ神群、八ヴァス、サーディヤ、マルット、ルドラ、シッダ、そしてマリーチら諸リシ—さらにブリハスパティを首とする最勝のデーヴァと、ブリグを首とする大聖者たちは、ラジャスとタマスの影響を離れている。しかれども、サットヴァにあっても至上人格神バガヴァーンの御業を悟れない。ましてマーヤーに触れ、推量するのみの者は言うまでもない。
The men and other living entities within this cosmic manifestation are controlled by the three modes of nature. For the living entities controlled by the base qualities of nature, passion and ignorance, there is no possibility of understanding God. Even those in the mode of goodness, like the many demigods and great ṛṣis described in these verses, cannot understand the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, one who is situated in the devotional service of the Lord is transcendental to all the material qualities. Therefore the Lord personally says that no one can understand Him but the bhaktas, who are transcendental to all material qualities ( bhaktyā mām abhijānāti ). As stated by Bhīṣmadeva to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.9.16) :
FAQs
In this section Yamarāja lists the greatest devas and perfected beings to emphasize that even such exalted authorities are not independent; the supreme governance ultimately rests with Lord Viṣṇu and His order.
After the Yamadūtas were checked from taking Ajāmila, Yamarāja explains to them the higher law of dharma and bhakti—showing that even the top cosmic rulers cannot override the Lord’s protection of His devotees.
Do not rely only on worldly power or secondary authorities for ultimate shelter; cultivate bhakti—especially remembrance and sincere chanting of the Lord’s names—as the highest refuge.