Lives & Turning Points of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Canto 6 · 4 moments

Ajāmila

A life of error meets the power of the holy name

Grace does not cancel the need to change

A life that changesThe text shows a real change of motive, understanding or conduct.Divine mercyThe holy nameRepentance

1Where it begins
Ajāmila’s life falls into wrongdoing; at death he calls the name Nārāyaṇa and receives a chance for sincere devotional reformation.
2The test
Can a single sincere turning point interrupt a long downward course?
3The turn
The name of the Lord protects him, followed by genuine repentance and devotional practice.
4What it teaches
The story glorifies the holy name, not deliberate wrongdoing or using mercy as a loophole.

The journey

Moment by moment

Tap a point or a step

Bhakti shownPressure in the story0–10, an editorial reading of each passage

Moment 1 of 4 · SB 6.1

Loss of discipline

Ajāmila abandons the standards of his earlier training.

The heart here: DeclinePressure 8 · Bhakti 2

In the verse · SB 6.1.21
“In the city known as Kānyakubja there was a brāhmaṇa named Ajāmila who married a prostitute maidservant and lost all his brahminical qualities because of the association of that low-class woman.”
Study this verse Chapter 6.1 Vedabase· Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation

Chapter on Vedabase

A question to carry

What repentance needs to become a changed daily practice?

At the crossroads: Ajāmila cries “Nārāyaṇa”Plan a class on SB 6.2 Path: When hurt becomes a doorway