Shloka 18
Yamarāja Instructs the Yamadūtas: Supreme Authority, Mahājanas, and the Glory of the Holy Name
भूतानि विष्णो: सुरपूजितानि दुर्दर्शलिङ्गानि महाद्भुतानि । रक्षन्ति तद्भक्तिमत: परेभ्यो मत्तश्च मर्त्यानथ सर्वतश्च ॥ १८ ॥
bhūtāni viṣṇoḥ sura-pūjitāni durdarśa-liṅgāni mahādbhutāni rakṣanti tad-bhaktimataḥ parebhyo mattaś ca martyān atha sarvataś ca
Os Viṣṇudūtas, mensageiros do Senhor Viṣṇu—adorados até pelos devas—possuem traços corporais maravilhosos exatamente como os de Viṣṇu e são raramente vistos. Eles protegem os devotos do Senhor das mãos dos inimigos, dos invejosos e até mesmo da minha jurisdição, bem como das perturbações naturais, por todos os lados.
Yamarāja has specifically described the qualities of the Viṣṇudūtas to convince his own servants not to be envious of them. Yamarāja warned the Yamadūtas that the Viṣṇudūtas are worshiped with respectful obeisances by the demigods and are always very alert to protect the devotees of the Lord from the hands of enemies, from natural disturbances and from all dangerous conditions in this material world. Sometimes the members of the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Society are afraid of the impending danger of world war and ask what would happen to them if a war should occur. In all kinds of danger, they should be confident of their protection by the Viṣṇudūtas or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā ( kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati ). Material danger is not meant for devotees. This is also confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām: in this material world there are dangers at every step, but they are not meant for devotees who have fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord. The pure devotees of Lord Viṣṇu may rest assured of the Lord’s protection, and as long as they are in this material world they should fully engage in devotional service by preaching the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Kṛṣṇa, namely the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
FAQs
This verse states that Viṣṇu’s wondrous attendants, revered even by the demigods, protect the Lord’s devotees from every kind of danger—including the jurisdiction of Yama.
In the Ajāmila-related discussion, Yamarāja instructs his messengers that pure devotion places one under Viṣṇu’s direct protection, so the Yamadūtas should not approach such devotees.
Cultivating sincere devotion—especially remembrance of Viṣṇu and His names—builds inner fearlessness and moral clarity, helping one face crises with steadiness and spiritual shelter.