Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 35
Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna
सर्वे पद्मपलाशाक्षा: पीतकौशेयवासस: । किरीटिन: कुण्डलिनो लसत्पुष्करमालिन: ॥ ३४ ॥ सर्वे च नूत्नवयस: सर्वे चारुचतुर्भुजा: । धनुर्निषङ्गासिगदाशङ्खचक्राम्बुजश्रिय: ॥ ३५ ॥ दिशो वितिमिरालोका: कुर्वन्त: स्वेन तेजसा । किमर्थं धर्मपालस्य किङ्करान्नो निषेधथ ॥ ३६ ॥
sarve padma-palāśākṣāḥ pīta-kauśeya-vāsasaḥ kirīṭinaḥ kuṇḍalino lasat-puṣkara-mālinaḥ
阎摩使者说：“你们双目如莲瓣，身着黄丝，头戴宝冠、耳佩耳环，颈挂灿然莲华花鬘；你们皆显青春，容貌端严，具四臂，执弓与箭囊、剑、棍、螺、轮与莲。你们的光辉照破四方黑暗；诸位为何阻拦我们这些护法之主的仆从？”
Before even being introduced to a foreigner, one becomes acquainted with him through his dress, bodily features and behavior and can thus understand his position. Therefore when the Yamadūtas saw the Viṣṇudūtas for the first time, they were surprised. They said, “By your bodily features you appear to be very exalted gentlemen, and you have such celestial power that you have dissipated the darkness of this material world with your own effulgences. Why then should you endeavor to stop us from executing our duty?” It will be explained that the Yamadūtas, the order carriers of Yamarāja, mistakenly considered Ajāmila sinful. They did not know that although he was sinful throughout his entire life, he was purified by constantly chanting the holy name of Nārāyaṇa. In other words, unless one is a Vaiṣṇava, one cannot understand the activities of a Vaiṣṇava.
FAQs
They are the messengers of Lord Viṣṇu, radiant, youthful, four-armed divine attendants who arrive to protect the devotee (Ajāmila) from being taken by the Yamadūtas.
Because the Yamadūtas considered themselves authorized agents of Yamarāja to punish sinners, and they were astonished that higher divine beings were forbidding their lawful arrest of Ajāmila.
Divine protection comes through sincere connection to the Lord—especially remembrance and chanting—showing that bhakti can transform destiny beyond fear, guilt, and punishment.