Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 8
Yamarāja Instructs the Yamadūtas: Supreme Authority, Mahājanas, and the Glory of the Holy Name
तस्य ते विहितो दण्डो न लोके वर्ततेऽधुना । चतुर्भिरद्भुतै: सिद्धैराज्ञा ते विप्रलम्भिता ॥ ८ ॥
tasya te vihito daṇḍo na loke vartate ’dhunā caturbhir adbhutaiḥ siddhair ājñā te vipralambhitā
然而如今我们看见：在你权威之下所制定的惩罚，在世间已不再奏效，因为你的命令被四位奇妙而圆满之人所违越。
The Yamadūtas had been under the impression that Yamarāja was the only person in charge of administering justice. They were fully confident that no one could counteract his judgments, but now, to their surprise, his order had been violated by the four wonderful persons from Siddhaloka.
FAQs
This verse states that the punishment ordained by Yama’s servants could not proceed because four extraordinary perfected beings (the Viṣṇudūtas) intervened and checked their authority.
In Ajāmila’s case, the Viṣṇudūtas appeared and forbade the Yamadūtas from taking him, asserting a higher divine jurisdiction connected to devotion and the Lord’s name.
It encourages sincere bhakti—especially remembrance and chanting of the Lord’s names—while also reminding one to live responsibly, since divine grace can transform even a fallen life when devotion awakens.