Shloka 20
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
अत्र चोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । दूतानां विष्णुयमयो: संवादस्तं निबोध मे ॥ २० ॥
atra codāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam dūtānāṁ viṣṇu-yamayoḥ saṁvādas taṁ nibodha me
ఈ విషయములో పండితులు, సాధువులు ఒక ప్రాచీన ఇతిహాసాన్ని ఉదాహరిస్తారు; విష్ణుదూతలు మరియు యమదూతల మధ్య జరిగిన సంభాషణను నన్ను నుండి వినుము।
The Purāṇas, or old histories, are sometimes neglected by unintelligent men who consider their descriptions mythological. Actually, the descriptions of the Purāṇas, or the old histories of the universe, are factual, although not chronological. The Purāṇas record the chief incidents that have occurred over many millions of years, not only on this planet but also on other planets within the universe. Therefore all learned and realized Vedic scholars speak with references to the incidents in the Purāṇas. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī accepts the Purāṇas to be as important as the Vedas themselves. Therefore in Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu he quotes the following verse from the Brahma-yāmala:
FAQs
This verse introduces the ancient narrative describing a direct dialogue between Viṣṇu’s messengers and Yama’s messengers, a key teaching section in the Ajāmila episode (Canto 6, Chapter 1).
To explain the principles of dharma, sin, atonement, and the power of devotion—Śukadeva presents the Ajāmila history, centered on the confrontation between Viṣṇudūtas and Yamadūtas.
Approach spiritual instruction by hearing attentively (nibodha) and learning from sacred histories; the Ajāmila narrative that follows emphasizes the transformative shelter of devotion and the holy name.