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
నేను యమరాజు, స్వర్గాధిపతి ఇంద్రుడు, నిరృతి, వరుణుడు, చంద్రుడు, అగ్ని, శివుడు, పవనుడు, బ్రహ్మ, సూర్యుడు, విశ్వేదేవులు, అష్టవసువులు, సాధ్యులు, మరుతులు, రుద్రులు, సిద్ధులు, మరీచి మొదలైన ఋషులు—మరియు బృహస్పతి, భృగు మొదలైన ఉత్తమ దేవ-ఋషులు—రజస్, తమస్ ప్రభావం నుండి విముక్తులు; అయినా సత్త్వంలో ఉన్నప్పటికీ భగవంతుని లీలలను మేము గ్రహించలేము; మరి మాయావశులైన ఇతరులు ఏమి తెలుసుకోగలరు?
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.