Story of Ajāmila

Bhakti Anugrah Janardana Swami - 27.11 2024

H.H. Bhakti Anugrah Janardana Swami speaks about the story of Ajāmila, a fallen Brahmana who was ultimately saved by the chanting of the holy name of Narayana.
1. **Introduction and Gratitude**: Maharaj expresses gratitude to the devotees for their dedication to book distribution, preaching, and spreading the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
2. **Ajāmila's Story**:
- Ajāmila, born in a Brahminical family, was trained in spiritual and moral values but fell from grace after being captivated by the scene of a sudra and sudrani.
- He engaged in sinful activities to maintain his family, including his youngest son, Narayana, who became very dear to him.
- Despite his degraded life, Ajāmila unintentionally chanted "Narayana" at the time of his death, calling his son, which invoked the Lord's holy name.
3. **Intervention by Vishnu-dūtas**: At the moment of Ajāmila's death, the Yamadūtas (agents of Yamaraj) came to take his soul. However, the Vishnu-dūtas intervened, emphasizing the power of the holy name to absolve sins and protect the chanter.
4. **Teachings and Applications**:
- The importance of chanting the holy name attentively and offenselessly.
- The transformative power of bhakti and chanting, even when done unintentionally or in impurity.
- Encouragement to live a life aligned with Vedic principles, avoiding sinful behavior, and cultivating devotional service.
- The role of association with pure devotees in maintaining and deepening one's Krishna consciousness.
5. **Questions and Answers**: Maharaj addresses practical concerns:
- How to control the mind and avoid agitation in the modern age without traditional training (by sharpening intelligence and seeking guidance from scriptures and pure devotees).
- Overcoming offenses and maintaining attentive chanting through devotional association.
The session concludes with an appreciation for Maharaj's inspiring class and collective chanting of the **Hare Krishna Mahamantra**.