Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 12
Ajāmila Delivered: Viṣṇudūtas Establish the Supremacy of the Holy Name
नैकान्तिकं तद्धि कृतेऽपि निष्कृते मन: पुनर्धावति चेदसत्पथे । तत्कर्मनिर्हारमभीप्सतां हरे- र्गुणानुवाद: खलु सत्त्वभावन: ॥ १२ ॥
naikāntikaṁ tad dhi kṛte ’pi niṣkṛte manaḥ punar dhāvati ced asat-pathe tat karma-nirhāram abhīpsatāṁ harer guṇānuvādaḥ khalu sattva-bhāvanaḥ
Kahit nagawa na ang mga pagtubos, hindi pa rin ito ganap na paglilinis, sapagkat ang isip ay muling tumatakbo sa landas ng kamunduhan. Kaya para sa nagnanais makawala sa gapos ng bunga ng karma, ang pag-awit ng mga katangian ni Hari—pagpupuri sa Kanyang Pangalan, dangal, at mga līlā—ang pinakaganap na pagtubos, sapagkat binubunot nito ang dumi ng puso hanggang ugat.
The statements in this verse have been confirmed previously in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.17) :
FAQs
This verse says atonement is not conclusive if the mind returns to sinful paths; lasting purification comes from glorifying Lord Hari, which strengthens sattva and reforms the heart.
Because Ajāmila’s deliverance highlights that bhakti—especially remembrance and glorification of the Lord—can uproot karmic reactions at the root, unlike temporary expiations that may not change the mind.
Along with correcting behavior, build daily habits of bhakti—hearing and speaking about God’s qualities, chanting, and keeping saintly association—so the mind gains higher taste and doesn’t relapse into harmful patterns.