Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 1
Yamarāja Instructs the Yamadūtas: Supreme Authority, Mahājanas, and the Glory of the Holy Name
श्रीराजोवाच निशम्य देव: स्वभटोपवर्णितं प्रत्याह किं तानपि धर्मराज: । एवं हताज्ञो विहतान्मुरारे- र्नैदेशिकैर्यस्य वशे जनोऽयम् ॥ १ ॥
śrī-rājovāca niśamya devaḥ sva-bhaṭopavarṇitaṁ pratyāha kiṁ tān api dharmarājaḥ evaṁ hatājño vihatān murārer naideśikair yasya vaśe jano ’yam
Sinabi ni Haring Parīkṣit: O aking panginoon, O Śukadeva Gosvāmī! Si Yamarāja ang tagapamahala ng mga nilalang ayon sa dharma at adharma, ngunit napawalang-bisa ang kanyang utos. Nang iulat ng mga Yamadūta na sila’y natalo ng mga Viṣṇudūta na pumigil sa pagdakip kay Ajāmila, ano ang isinagot ni Dharmarāja sa kanila?
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says that although the statements of the Yamadūtas were fully upheld by Vedic principles, the statements of the Viṣṇudūtas were triumphant. This was confirmed by Yamarāja himself.
FAQs
This verse implies that although Yamarāja governs beings under dharma and karma, his servants can be checked by the Viṣṇudūtas, showing the higher authority of Lord Viṣṇu and His devotees’ protection.
Because the Yamadūtas returned after being stopped by the Viṣṇudūtas in the Ajāmila incident, and Parīkṣit wanted to know how Dharmarāja explained this unprecedented reversal of their mission.
It encourages reliance on bhakti—especially remembrance and chanting of the Lord’s names—while living ethically, understanding that divine grace can override fear and karmic reactions when devotion is genuine.