Story of Ajamila - Arguments by Vishnudutas

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SB 6.2.1:

The servants of Lord Vishnu are always very expert in logic and

arguments. After hearing the statements of the Yamadūtas, they replied

as follows.

SB

6.2.2: The Viṣṇudūtas said: Alas, how painful it is that

irreligion is being introduced into an assembly where religion should be

maintained. Indeed, those in charge of maintaining the religious

principles are needlessly punishing a sinless, unpunishable person.

SB

6.2.3: A king or governmental official should be so well

qualified that he acts as a father, maintainer and protector of the

citizens because of affection and love. He should give the citizens good

advice and instructions according to the standard scriptures and should

be equal to everyone. Yamarāja does this, for he is the supreme master

of justice, and so do those who follow in his footsteps. However, if

such persons become polluted and exhibit partiality by punishing an

innocent, blameless person, where will the citizens go to take shelter

for their maintenance and security?

SB

6.2.4: The mass of people follow the example of a leader in

society and imitate his behavior. They accept as evidence whatever the

leader accepts.

SB

6.2.5-6: People in general are not very advanced in knowledge

by which to discriminate between religion and irreligion. The innocent,

unenlightened citizen is like an ignorant animal sleeping in peace with

its head on the lap of its master, faithfully believing in the master's

protection. If a leader is actually kindhearted and deserves to be the

object of a living entity's faith, how can he punish or kill a foolish

person who has fully surrendered in good faith and friendship?

SB

6.2.7: Ajamila has already atoned for all his sinful actions.

Indeed, he has atoned not only for sins performed in one life but for

those performed in millions of lives, for in a helpless condition he

chanted the holy name of Narayana. Even though he did not chant purely,

he chanted without offense, and therefore he is now pure and eligible

for liberation.

SB

6.2.8: The Viṣṇudūtas continued: Even previously, while

eating and at other times, this Ajamila would call his son, saying, "My

dear Narayana, please come here." Although calling the name of his son,

he nevertheless uttered the four syllables na-ra-ya-na. Simply by

chanting the name of Narayana in this way, he sufficiently atoned for

the sinful reactions of millions of lives.

SB

6.2.9-10: The chanting of the holy name of Lord Visnu is the

best process of atonement for a thief of gold or other valuables, for a

drunkard, for one who betrays a friend or relative, for one who kills a

brahmana, or for one who indulges in sex with the wife of his guru or

another superior. It is also the best method of atonement for one who

murders women, the king or his father, for one who slaughters cows, and

for all other sinful men. Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord

Visnu, such sinful persons may attract the attention of the Supreme

Lord, who therefore considers, "Because this man has chanted My holy

name, My duty is to give him protection."

SB

6.2.11: By following the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies or

undergoing atonement, sinful men do not become as purified as by

chanting once the holy name of Lord Hari. Although ritualistic atonement

may free one from sinful reactions, it does not awaken devotional

service, unlike the chanting of the Lord's names, which reminds one of

the Lord's fame, qualities, attributes, pastimes and paraphernalia.

SB

6.2.12: The ritualistic ceremonies of atonement recommended in

the religious scriptures are insufficient to cleanse the heart

absolutely because after atonement one's mind again runs toward material

activities. Consequently, for one who wants liberation from the fruitive

reactions of material activities, the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra,

or glorification of the name, fame and pastimes of the Lord, is

recommended as the most perfect process of atonement because such

chanting eradicates the dirt from one's heart completely.

SB

6.2.13: At the time of death, this Ajamila helplessly and very

loudly chanted the holy name of the Lord, Narayana. That chanting alone

has already freed him from the reactions of all sinful life. Therefore,

O servants of Yamarāja, do not try to take him to your master for

punishment in hellish conditions.