Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 14
Yamarāja Instructs the Yamadūtas: Supreme Authority, Mahājanas, and the Glory of the Holy Name
अहं महेन्द्रो निऋर्ति: प्रचेता: सोमोऽग्निरीश: पवनो विरिञ्चि: । आदित्यविश्वे वसवोऽथ साध्या मरुद्गणा रुद्रगणा: ससिद्धा: ॥ १४ ॥ अन्ये च ये विश्वसृजोऽमरेशा भृग्वादयोऽस्पृष्टरजस्तमस्का: । यस्येहितं न विदु: स्पृष्टमाया: सत्त्वप्रधाना अपि किं ततोऽन्ये ॥ १५ ॥
ahaṁ mahendro nirṛtiḥ pracetāḥ somo ’gnir īśaḥ pavano viriñciḥ āditya-viśve vasavo ’tha sādhyā marud-gaṇā rudra-gaṇāḥ sasiddhāḥ
我阎摩王，以及天帝因陀罗、尼利提、伐楼那、月神旃陀罗、火神阿耆尼、自在天湿婆、风神帕瓦那、梵天、日神苏利耶、毗湿维诸神、八位婆苏、萨陀耶、摩鲁特、鲁陀罗、悉达与摩利支等诸大圣贤，并以布里哈斯帕提为首的诸天与以婆利古为首的大仙，皆远离欲性与愚昧二劣性；然而即便我们偏于善性，仍不能洞知至上人格神的作为。更何况那些为幻力所触、徒以臆测求知神者呢？
The men and other living entities within this cosmic manifestation are controlled by the three modes of nature. For the living entities controlled by the base qualities of nature, passion and ignorance, there is no possibility of understanding God. Even those in the mode of goodness, like the many demigods and great ṛṣis described in these verses, cannot understand the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, one who is situated in the devotional service of the Lord is transcendental to all the material qualities. Therefore the Lord personally says that no one can understand Him but the bhaktas, who are transcendental to all material qualities ( bhaktyā mām abhijānāti ). As stated by Bhīṣmadeva to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.9.16) :
FAQs
In this section Yamarāja lists the greatest devas and perfected beings to emphasize that even such exalted authorities are not independent; the supreme governance ultimately rests with Lord Viṣṇu and His order.
After the Yamadūtas were checked from taking Ajāmila, Yamarāja explains to them the higher law of dharma and bhakti—showing that even the top cosmic rulers cannot override the Lord’s protection of His devotees.
Do not rely only on worldly power or secondary authorities for ultimate shelter; cultivate bhakti—especially remembrance and sincere chanting of the Lord’s names—as the highest refuge.