Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 27
Yamarāja Instructs the Yamadūtas: Supreme Authority, Mahājanas, and the Glory of the Holy Name
ते देवसिद्धपरिगीतपवित्रगाथा ये साधव: समदृशो भगवत्प्रपन्ना: । तान्नोपसीदत हरेर्गदयाभिगुप्तान् नैषां वयं न च वय: प्रभवाम दण्डे ॥ २७ ॥
te deva-siddha-parigīta-pavitra-gāthā ye sādhavaḥ samadṛśo bhagavat-prapannāḥ tān nopasīdata harer gadayābhiguptān naiṣāṁ vayaṁ na ca vayaḥ prabhavāma daṇḍe
Hỡi các thuộc hạ của ta, đừng đến gần những sādhū bình đẳng với mọi người và đã quy phục trọn vẹn dưới chân sen của Bhagavān; những thánh ca của họ được chư thiên và cư dân Siddhaloka hát tụng. Họ được chùy của Hari che chở; Brahmā, ta và cả Thời gian cũng không thể trừng phạt họ.
In effect, Yamarāja warned his servants, “My dear servants, despite what you may have done previously to disturb the devotees, henceforward you should stop. The actions of devotees who have surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord and who constantly chant the holy name of the Lord are praised by the demigods and the residents of Siddhaloka. Those devotees are so respectable and exalted that Lord Viṣṇu personally protects them with the club in His hand. Therefore, regardless of what you have done this time, henceforward you should not approach such devotees; otherwise you will be killed by the club of Lord Viṣṇu. This is my warning. Lord Viṣṇu has a club and cakra to punish nondevotees. Do not risk punishment by attempting to disturb the devotees. Not to speak of you, if even Lord Brahmā or I were to punish them, Lord Viṣṇu would punish us. Therefore do not disturb the devotees any further.”
FAQs
This verse states that fully surrendered, saintly devotees are protected by Hari, and neither Yamarāja nor his servants have the authority to punish them.
After the Ajāmila episode, Yamarāja instructs his messengers not to approach surrendered devotees, clarifying that Vaiṣṇavas are under the Lord’s protection and beyond their jurisdiction.
Cultivate devotion and ethical living while seeing others with fairness and compassion; sincere surrender to God and steady devotional practice reduces fear and strengthens inner integrity.