Shloka 26
Ajāmila Delivered: Viṣṇudūtas Establish the Supremacy of the Holy Name
अहो मे परमं कष्टमभूदविजितात्मन: । येन विप्लावितं ब्रह्म वृषल्यां जायतात्मना ॥ २६ ॥
aho me paramaṁ kaṣṭam abhūd avijitātmanaḥ yena viplāvitaṁ brahma vṛṣalyāṁ jāyatātmanā
அய்யோ! தன்னடக்கத்தை வெல்லாத நான் இంద్రியங்களின் அடிமையாகி எவ்வளவு தாழ்ந்தேன்; பிராமணத் தர்மத்தைச் சிதைத்து ஒரு வेश्यையின் கர்ப்பத்தில் பிள்ளைகளைப் பெற்றேன்।
The men of the higher classes — the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas — do not beget children in the wombs of lower-class women. Therefore the custom in Vedic society is to examine the horoscopes of a girl and boy being considered for marriage to see whether their combination is suitable. Vedic astrology reveals whether one has been born in the vipra-varṇa, kṣatriya-varṇa, vaiśya-varṇa or śūdra-varṇa, according to the three qualities of material nature. This must be examined because a marriage between a boy of the vipra-varṇa and a girl of the śūdra-varṇa is incompatible; married life would be miserable for both husband and wife. Consequently a boy should marry a girl of the same category. Of course, this is trai-guṇya, a material calculation according to the Vedas, but if the boy and girl are devotees there need be no such considerations. A devotee is transcendental, and therefore in a marriage between devotees, the boy and girl form a very happy combination.
FAQs
In this verse Ajāmila laments that uncontrolled senses led him into immoral association, which “ruined” his brahminical purity—showing how saṅga (company) can rapidly degrade character and spiritual strength.
Remembering his fall from brahminical discipline into life with a prostitute, Ajāmila expresses deep remorse and self-blame, acknowledging that his own lack of self-control caused his spiritual collapse.
Guard your senses and choose uplifting company—habits, media, and friendships shape consciousness; deliberate association with devotees and dharmic practices helps prevent gradual moral and spiritual decline.