FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.68

तत एनं दण्डपाणे: सकाशं कृतकिल्बिषम् । नेष्यामोऽकृतनिर्वेशं यत्र दण्डेन शुद्ध्यति ॥ ६८ ॥
tata enaṁ daṇḍa-pāṇeḥ
[tata enam danda-paaneh]
sakāśaṁ kṛta-kilbiṣam
[sakaasham krita-kilbisham]
neṣyāmo ’kṛta-nirveśaṁ
[neshyaamo ’krita-nirvesham]
yatra daṇḍena śuddhyati
[yatra dandena shuddhyati]
tataḥ — therefore enam — him daṇḍa-pāṇeḥ — of Yamarāja, who is authorized to punish sakāśam — in the presence kṛta-kilbiṣam — who has regularly committed all sinful activities neṣyāmaḥ — we shall take akṛta-nirveśam — who has not undergone atonement yatra — where daṇḍena — by punishment śuddhyati — he will be purified.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tata enaṁ daṇḍa-pāṇeḥ
tataḥ
therefore
enam
him
daṇḍa-pāṇeḥ
of Yamarāja, who is authorized to punish
sakāśaṁ kṛta-kilbiṣam
sakāśam
in the presence
kṛta-kilbiṣam
who has regularly committed all sinful activities
neṣyāmo ’kṛta-nirveśaṁ
neṣyāmaḥ
we shall take
akṛta-nirveśam
who has not undergone atonement
yatra daṇḍena śuddhyati
yatra
where
daṇḍena
by punishment
śuddhyati
he will be purified.
This man Ajāmila did not undergo atonement. Therefore because of his sinful life, we must take him into the presence of Yamarāja for punishment. There, according to the extent of his sinful acts, he will be punished and thus purified.

The Viṣṇudūtas had forbidden the Yamadūtas to take Ajāmila to Yamarāja, and therefore the Yamadūtas explained that taking such a man to Yamarāja was appropriate. Since Ajāmila had not undergone atonement for his sinful acts, he was to be taken to Yamarāja to be purified. When a man commits murder he becomes sinful, and therefore he also must be killed; otherwise after death he must suffer many sinful reactions. Similarly, punishment by Yamarāja is a process of purification for the most abominable sinful persons. Therefore the Yamadūtas requested the Viṣṇudūtas not to obstruct their taking Ajāmila to Yamarāja.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Sixth Canto, First Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The History of the Life of Ajāmila.”

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Because of this, we shall take this sinner who has performed no atonement to Yamarāja, where he will be purified by punishment. Akṛta-nirveśam means “not having performed atonement.” How can you prevent us, who are taking him for purification? Thus ends the commentary on the First Chapter of the Sixth Canto of the Bhāgavatam for the pleasure of the devotees, in accordance with the previous ācāryas. Chapter Two The Servants of Viṣṇu Speak
Since Ajāmila never atoned, the Yamadūtas insist he must come to Yamarāja for purifying punishment. From a karmic standpoint they are right — and yet, as we are about to see, the holy name has already rewritten the verdict.
Reflection Questions
  • Am I trusting in karmic accounting alone, or in the Lord's capacity to overwrite even hardened verdicts?
  • Where in my life do I need to stop arguing with the Yamadūtas of my own conscience and simply chant?
📝 My note

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