| Ajamila |
| Ajamila was a Brahmin boy. He was honest, truthful, virtuous and modest and was well versed in the Vedas. He was married to a good Brahmin girl and was leading a happy and contented life.
One day he went into the forest to collect flowers, fruits, sacrificial wood and the kusa grass for his worship. While he was returning, he saw a young woman of low birth and unclean habits. Forgetting his own wife and children, he went to life with this woman. What happens when one keeps the company of the evil? One falls into degradation. Ajamila was formerly a sensible man with a pure mind. Now, in the company of his new wife, he gave up all thought of God and worship. Whatever little wealth he had, he spends cheat people and thus he managed to keep his wife and children happy. Ajamilla had ten sons by this wife. The youngest one, whom he called Narayana, was, however, he favorite.
When the time came for Ajamilla to die, his son was playing a little distance away from him, Suddenly, two force – looking messengers from Yama appeared at Ajamila’s bed – side, armed with clubs and axes. They had come to drag his soul away from his body. Terrified, Ajamila shouted out for his son. ‘Narayana ! Narayana!’ he called. Thus when he called his son, Narayana, he uttered the Lord’s name unconsciously. His mind dwelt upon His lotus feet.
Just then, two shining and resplendent attendants of Sri Vishnu appeared and said, ‘wherefore do you propose to take him? He has meditated upon the Lord in his last moment. You have no claim on him.’
Yama’s messengers said, ‘this man though good and virtuous in the beginning became wicked and unholy. He led an unclean life and committed many crimes. We have a right to take him to his punishment.’
But the attendants of Sri Vishnu said, ‘Ajamila has uttered the Lord’s name with devotion. He, who loves God and completely surrenders himself to Him, is released no matter how heavy his burden of sin! Such is the power of Narayana’s name. He becomes His beloved, his very own.’
Their arguments defeated, the servants of Yama left.
Ajamila was overwhelmed by the conversation of these divine beings. His heart was too full for words. Slowly, he regained his health. He left his home, wife and children and on the bangs of the Ganga at Haridwara, he meditated upon the divine Lord till his hour of death. This time, he gave up his physical body and the attendants of Sri Vishnu bore him away to Vaikunda (the abode of Lord Vishnu)
The name of the Lord burns the gravest of sins and reduces it to nothing.
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