Narayaneeyam

[soundararajan50]

Narayaneeyam Dasakam: 22 -- Salvation of Ajamila


The Story of Ajamila
Long ago, there lived a Brahmin by name Ajamila, who followed the path of virtue,leading the life of a householder. He went to the forest at the command of his father.There he met a woman of immodest appearance and undesirable character, in a drunken state. Though by nature a man of self control his mind was attracted to her. He gave up all his duties and revelling in her company led a sinful life. As he became old, he became very much attached to his son who bore Thy name – Naaraayanaby turns he was eighty-eight years old and was now on his deathbed. The messengers of Yama, , the god of death ,appeared with fearful countenances with ropes inhand . They were wresting the soul from his heart when Ajamilain a quavering voice called for his youngest son who was named Narayana. “O! Narayana! Narayana!” Then a miracle happened!
A group of Vishnu Parshadas ,attendants of Sri Vishnu,immediately appeared from nowhere. They were all brilliantly clad. All were youthful and four armed like Sri Hari himself. They had lotus like eyes exuding energy. They scattered the messengers of Yama. Yama’s messengers enquired in great fear.“Who are you that prevent us from our duty. Are you gods? Wehave been ordered by our master Lord Yama to bring this oldsinner to Samyamani where he will be punished in the purgatoriesand purified”.
The angels, were curious and asked what he had done.Yama’s minions replied.“Ajamila has grievously strayed from Dharma. He was born to a pious father, well versed in all the shastras and married to a virtuous wife. He lead an ideal life. One day he went to the forest as usual and saw a hunter and his mistress singing lewd songs and engaged in shameless amorous play. Theirdifferent postures entwined together affected his mind badly. All the training and asceticism of the young brahmin were vain, hisheart was shaken by cupid. He left his aged parents and virtuous wife, squandered all his wealth for a shameless woman and took to brigandage and hunting for a livelihood. We are taking him tohell by our master’s orders.”The angels replied.” You say, you are the guardians of Dharma! It is a pity you have not fully understood the law of
Dharma which is as follows. However much a man has sinned, ifat the last moment of death he utters the four syllable words -RA-YA-NA he is completely purified. No matter if he saysit in fun, in mockery or accidentally, he is completely absolved.You may say that he was only calling his son. That does not matter.”Yama’s followers were in doubt and they returned to theirmaster. The angels too vanished . Ajamila woke up as from a dream. But it was no dream. He could distinctly recall every word.“Alas ! What a fool I have been! Leaving my destitute old parents and my chaste virtuous wife I committed all kinds of ugly acts with a drunken bawd. Please Lord, have mercy on me!”
Thoroughly repentant, he spent the few remaining days of his lifeon the banks of the Ganges and when at last his last day came, hesaw the same heavenly messengers. He was given a new heavenlybody and the Lord’s messengers escorted him to Vaikunta the abode of Sri Hari.
The great Dharma and therefore we have become immortal. Uttering the name of the Lord “Narayana” at the last moment absolves one of all sins and even the tendency to commit sin is destroyed. All other forms of worship and remedies remove only past sins but not the tendency to commit them. Theword “Narayana” though uttered chokingly, in a faltering voice purifies one forever and ushers him into the kingdom of God forever.”
And Yama Raja humbly added, “May the great Lord Hari forgive me for this one error.” And turning to his followers he added, “My dear followers, do not even approach hereafter any dying person who is uttering the holy name Hari or Narayana.


Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 01
अजामिलो नाम महीसुर: पुरा
चरन् विभो धर्मपथान् गृहाश्रमी ।
गुरोर्गिरा काननमेत्य दृष्टवान्
सुधृष्टशीलां कुलटां मदाकुलाम् ॥१॥

ajaamilO naama mahiisuraH puraa
charan vibhO dharmapathaan gR^ihaashramii |
gurOrgiraa kaananametya dR^iShTavaan
sudhR^iShTashiilaaM kulaTaaM madaakulaam ||

Long ago, there lived a Brahmin by name Ajamila, who followed the path of virtue,leading the life of a householder. He went to the forest at the command of his father.There he met a woman of immodest appearance and undesirable character, in a drunken state.