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A powerful tale from canto 6 of Bhagavata Purana that reveals how the sincere remembrance of the divine name “Narayana,” even once, can redeem a soul from a lifetime of sin.
Characters in the story:
Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu is one of the three major deities in Hinduism, known as the preserver of the universe and the protector of dharma (righteousness). He is often depicted with four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus flower.
Ajamila: Ajamila was a learned Brahmana whose early life reflected purity, discipline, and devotion. Yet, overcome by desire and weakness, he fell into sin — only to find redemption through the divine grace of remembering “Narayana.”
Once, in ancient times, there lived a Brahmana named Ajamila, known for his purity and devotion. In his early years, he faithfully studied the Vedas, served his parents with care, and lived a disciplined, righteous life. But destiny took a dark turn.
One day, while fetching water from the forest, he saw a woman entangled in worldly pleasures, embracing a man. The sight stirred desire within him, clouding his wisdom. Overpowered by passion, Ajamila abandoned his virtuous path, forsook his wife and duties, and began living with the woman. In time, he sank into sin — deceiving, stealing, and cheating to sustain his worldly life.
As the years rolled by, Ajamila’s youth faded and his sins multiplied, yet somewhere deep within, a spark of his old purity still lingered. He had grown frail, his mind clouded by regret and fear, but his heart still clung to his youngest son — a child he loved dearly and had named Narayana, unknowingly after the Supreme Lord Himself.
When the final moment of his life arrived, the air around him grew heavy and still. As his breath weakened, Ajamila saw a dreadful vision — three fierce beings with dark, fiery eyes and twisted ropes in their hands. These were the Yamadutas, servants of Lord Yama, the ruler of death and justice, come to seize the soul of a sinner and deliver him to his deserved fate. Their terrifying presence filled the room with dread.
Paralyzed by fear and unable to move, Ajamila’s heart pounded in desperation. In that instant, his mind turned instinctively toward the one being he loved most. Gathering all his remaining strength, he cried out for his son — “Narayana! Narayana!” — not realizing that he was invoking the name of the Supreme Lord Vishnu Himself.
In that moment, something extraordinary happened. Hearing the divine name uttered with sincerity, Vishnu’s celestial messengers — the Vishnudutas — appeared in a radiant light. They stopped the Yamadutas from taking Ajamila’s soul, declaring that the one who chants the name of Lord Vishnu, even once, with faith or fear, becomes free from sin.
The Yamadutas, confused and humbled, returned to Yama and told him what had happened. Instead of anger, Yama praised the power of Vishnu’s name. He explained that his own authority ends where devotion begins — for the Supreme Lord protects all who remember Him, even unknowingly.
Ajamila, realizing the grace he had received, renounced his old life. He moved to Haridwar, spent his remaining years in meditation and devotion, and ultimately attained moksha — liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
This story from the Bhagavata Purana reveals a timeless truth — that the divine name, “Narayana,” carries the power to purify, protect, and liberate the soul. Even a single act of remembrance at the final moment can wash away lifetimes of darkness.
