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----- bhagap136.html
Ajamila was the son of a Brahmana. He was dutiful, virtuous,
modest, truthful, and regular in the performance of Vedic injunctions.
One day in obedience to his father he went into the forests and there
collected fruits, flowers, sacrificial wood and Kusa on returning he
saw a Sudra in company with a slave-girl. He tried much to subdue
his passions but did not succeed. He spent the whole of his patri-
mony to win the love of that girl. He gave up his own wife and
kept company with that slave girl. He had by her, several sons of
whom the youngest was Narayana. Ajamila lost all his good quali-
ties in low company and he forgot his daily practices. To support
the woman and her children, he had recourse to all sorts of vicious and
unlawful acts. Narayana was the favorite among his sons. He caressed
him always. At last his end approached. He thought even then of
his youngest son who was playing at a distance. Three fierce-looking
messengers of Yama appeared, with ropes in hand. Terrified at the
sight Ajamila cried out " Narayana, Narayana." Instantly the Mes-
sengers of Vishnu appeared. At the time when the servants of Yama
were drawing out the Jiva from the heart of Ajamila, the attendants of
Vishnu stopped them with a strong voice. " But who are you " said
they " to interfere with the just sway of Yama." The bright attendants
of Vishnu only smiled and asked: "What is Dharma? Does your
lord Yama hold the sceptre of punishment against all who perform
Karma? Is there no distinction made?"
The astral messengers replied: The performance of Vedic
Injunctions is Dharma and their disregard is Adharma. This Ajamila
in his earlier days duly respected the Vedas. But in company with
the slave-girl, he lost his Brahmanism, disregarded the Vedas and
did things which a Brahmana should not do. He justly comes for
punishment to Yarna."
The attendants of Vishnu expressed wonder at these words.
"And you are servants of him, who is called the king of Dharma,
and you do not know that there is something above the Vedas too. This
Ajamila consciously or unconsciously took the name of Narayana and
that saved him from your clutches. It is Jin the nature of fire to
consume fuel and so it is in the nature of Vishnu's name to destroy
all sins. If one unconsciously takes some powerful medicine, does it
not have effect? It matters not whether Ajamila meant his youngest
son or not but still he took the name of Narayana. So you must retire."
Wonder-struck the servants of Yama left their hold over
Ajamila. They went away and complained to their Master. " There
must be one law and one dispenser of that law. Otherwise some
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v?