Ajamila and the power of the name of the Narayana

 

Ajamila and the power of the name Narayana

Ajamila was a brahmin who resided with his family in a village. He was respectful to his parents and loved his wife. He lived by studying the scriptures, teaching the boys in the village and by performing some religious functions for people.

When misfortune strikes anyone, their mind also does not work in a proper way. That is what happened to Ajamila too. One day he had gone into the forest to collect darba grass. (Darba grass is used in all religious ceremonies as it is considered a good conductor of positive energy). There Ajamila saw a beautiful woman. She was new to the village.

Ajamila wanted to marry the beautiful woman. He forgot his parents, wife and married the lady. Unfortunately, his new wife was not a good person. She was very greedy and demanding. She pestered Ajamila for jewellery, clothes and other things. Ajamila was till now earning a small amount through teaching and by helping others conduct religious ceremonies.  He did not have enough money to meet his new wife’s demands. Ajamila started cheating and stole from the weak and innocent people in the village by telling lies. When even that was not adequate, he started robbing passers by.

Ajamila had completely forgotten the simple and pious life he lived. He and his new wife lived a very lavish lifestyle. Ajamila and his new wife had many children. This increased their need for money and he was forced to rob and cheat more. They had ten children. Ajamila was particularly fond of the last child who they called as Narayana. He played with him and took the child everywhere with him.

Years went by. Ajamila’s parents died of old age. His first wife had moved out of the village with her brothers. Ajamila had also become old. He was sick and frail. One day, the messengers of Yama, the God of death, came to claim Ajamila.

It is said that when a person commits a lot of sins, the messengers of death come in the form of scary demons. If a person does good deeds, the messengers come in the form of children or angels. In the case of Ajamila, the messengers of death came in the form of scary demons.

Ajamila, who knew his time had come was scared. The messengers of Yama tied the ropes around him and started dragging his soul. Ajamila was now terrified. He c

alled out the first name that came to his head. He shouted “Narayana, Narayana, save me.”

Actually, Ajamila was calling out for his youngest son who he was fond of. He screamed so loud that it reached the ears of Sriman Narayana in Vaikunta. Every ready to help people who call him, the Lord sent his attendants to help Ajamila. The attendants of Vishnu confronted the messengers of death.

Yama’s messengers said “Don’t you know that this guy is a sinner? He did not take care of his parents. He left his wife. He cheated and looted all his life. He deserves to go to hell” The attendants of Lord Narayana said “Don’t you know that once he has called out the name of Narayana and by just that act, he had absolved himself of all sins. If someone takes a strong medicine it has to be effective whether they did it knowingly or not. The Lord’s name is that. You cannot take this soul now unless you want to anger Lord Vishnu.”

The poor messengers of Yama were now scared and confused. They did not want to do anything without consulting their master. They untied Ajamila and left. Ajamila was shocked and wanted to thank the messengers of Lord Narayana, but they too had left.

Ajamila realised just then what a foolish life he had lived and wasted it on cruel sins. He decided to spend the rest of his life serving Lord Narayana by helping the poor and the weak. He knew he will die one day but atleast he will not be scared at that time.

Can we do anything and call the Lord at the last minute? Let us not take a chance. What if the Lord is busy or is resting in yoganidraa. Let us spend every minute we have usefully in the service of the Lord and others who may need our help.