Bhagwat Puran Sixth Skandh: Ajamila, Vritrasura and the Narayana Kavacha

The sixth skandh begins with the glory of God's name. The story of Ajamila is among the most famous in the Bhagwat, and its message is simple: the Name of God does its work even when spoken unknowingly.

Chapters 1 to 3: the deliverance of Ajamila

In Kanyakubja (Kannauj) lived Ajamila, a Brahmin learned in scripture and of good conduct in his youth. One day in the forest he saw a maidservant, fell under her spell and abandoned his wife, parents and dharma, supporting a family by gambling, theft and fraud. He had ten sons, the youngest named Narayana, whom he loved dearly.

At eighty-eight, at the moment of death, terrifying messengers of Yama came. Frightened, Ajamila called out to his son playing nearby: "Narayana!" At once the attendants of Vishnu arrived and stopped Yama's messengers. "He has sinned all his life," said Yama's messengers. "He has atoned for the sins of countless lives," said Vishnu's attendants, "for he called the name Narayana, even helplessly. As medicine works even when taken unknowingly, and fire burns even when touched unknowingly, so God's name burns away sin even when spoken unknowingly."

Ajamila was given back his life. He had heard this exchange, and his heart was utterly changed. He went to Haridwar, spent his life in devotion, and at the end Vishnu's attendants took him to Vaikuntha.

When Yama's messengers asked their master, Yama said: "Singing the Lord's name is the highest dharma in this age. Never go near those who take His name."

Chapters 4 and 5: Daksha and Narada

Daksha, son of the Prachetas, produced thousands of sons to increase creation. Narada taught them detachment and they went away to meditate. Angry, Daksha cursed Narada never to stay in one place; Narada gladly accepted, and that is why he is always travelling. Then Daksha had sixty daughters, through whom creation continued.

Chapters 6 to 8: the Narayana Kavacha

In his pride Indra disrespected his teacher Brihaspati, who left, and the gods began losing to the asuras. They took Vishvarupa, son of Tvashta, as their teacher. Vishvarupa gave Indra the Narayana Kavacha, a hymn praying for protection of every limb and every direction by the Lord's forms, Matsya, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Rama and others. With it Indra defeated the asuras. It is still recited for protection in danger and fear.

Chapters 9 to 13: Dadhichi and Vritrasura

Because Vishvarupa was also linked with the asuras, Indra killed him. Enraged, Tvashta produced Vritrasura from a sacrifice to kill Indra. All the gods' weapons failed against Vritra. The Lord said only a thunderbolt made from the bones of the sage Dadhichi could slay him.

The gods went to Dadhichi, who said: "This body must be given up one day; what greater fortune than that it serve others?" He gave up his body by yoga, and Vishvakarma made the thunderbolt from his bones.

In battle Vritra challenged Indra, yet he spoke like a great devotee. He prayed: "Lord, I want neither heaven, nor Brahma's world, nor rule over the earth, nor yogic powers, nor even liberation. As unfledged birds long for their mother, as hungry calves for the cow, as a loving wife waits for her absent husband, so my mind longs to see you." In a former life Vritra had been the devotee Chitraketu. Indra slew him with the thunderbolt, and Vritra went to the Lord's abode.

Afflicted by the sin of killing a Brahmin, Indra divided it among the earth, water, trees and women, and was purified by a horse sacrifice.

Chapters 14 to 17: Chitraketu

King Chitraketu had countless queens but no child. By the grace of the sage Angiras a son was born, whom jealous co-wives poisoned. To the grieving king Narada brought the soul of the dead child, who said: "I have had countless parents in countless births; for whom should I grieve?" The king's delusion broke and he became a devotee. Later he once mocked Shiva for sitting with Parvati in an assembly, and Parvati cursed him to become an asura; he became Vritrasura.

Chapters 18 and 19: the Maruts and the Punsavana vow

Diti undertook a strict vow to bear a son who would kill Indra. Pretending to serve her, Indra found an opening and cut the embryo into forty-nine pieces, but by the Lord's grace all lived and became the forty-nine Maruts, the wind gods, who became Indra's friends. Finally the Punsavana vow is described, kept for a year from Margashirsha Shukla Pratipada for good children and the family's welfare.

What this skandh teaches

• God's name is the simplest and most powerful means; the custom of naming children after God comes from this.
• One mistake can lead a life astray, but one sincere turn can save it.
• Sacrifice for the good of others is the highest dharma, like Dadhichi's.
• True devotion asks for nothing but God (Vritra's prayer).
• Disrespect for one's teacher, as Indra showed, takes away strength.