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
帕利克希特王说道：主啊，舒迦提婆·高斯瓦弥！阎摩王依众生之正行与邪行而统御一切，然而他的命令竟被挫败。阎摩使者禀告说，毗湿奴使者阻止他们拘捕阿阇弥罗并将其击退时，法王阎摩作何答复？
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.