Karthika Puranam Part 9 | కార్తీకపురాణం – 9 వ అధ్యాయము *విష్ణు పార్షద , యమ దూతల వివాదము*

Karthika Puranam – Part 9

The Dispute Between Vishnu’s Messengers and Yama’s Servants

(Vishnu Pārṣada – Yama Dūta Vivādhamu)

When the messengers of Lord Vishnu descended from Vaikuntha to claim Ajamila’s soul, they addressed the terrifying servants of Yama, the god of death:

“O servants of Yama! We are the divine attendants of Lord Vishnu, who dwell in Vaikuntha. Tell us, on whose command did your master send you? What kinds of sinners are you meant to claim?”

The Yama-dūtas (messengers of Yama) replied:

“O messengers of Vishnu! Every act of virtue and sin committed by human beings is witnessed by the Sun, the Moon, the Earth, the Sky, the Wind, and by both Day and Night. Each day, these divine witnesses report all deeds to our lord, Yama Dharmaraja.

Based on these records, Yama consults Chitragupta, who maintains the accounts of every soul, and then sends us to bring before him those whose time has come. Listen carefully, O Vishnu’s attendants, to the kinds of sinners we are commanded to fetch.”

Karthika Puranam Part 8 | కార్తీకపురాణం – 8 వ అధ్యాయము *శ్రీ హరి నామస్మరణా ధన్యోపాయం*

The Sins That Lead to Hell

The Yama-dūtas continued:

“Those who abandon the righteous conduct prescribed by the Vedas, those who mock or defy the scriptures, those guilty of cow slaughter (go-hatya) or Brahmin murder (brahma-hatya), adulterers, and those who eat the food of others unlawfully — all such people are condemned sinners.

Those who insult or harm their parents, teachers, relatives, or their community’s traditions; those who harm living beings, exploit others through deceit or greed, oppress the poor with high interest and falsehood; those who are thieves, ungrateful, or obstruct auspicious ceremonies like weddings and sacred rituals — all these are sinners.

Our Lord Yama commands that, upon their death, such souls be dragged to the realms of hell and punished according to their sins.

Now, this Ajamila was born a Brahmin but fell into sinful conduct. He abandoned his caste duties, committed violence, lived with fallen women, and was consumed by lust. Tell us, how can such a sinner deserve entry into the divine realm of Vishnu?”

Vishnu’s Messengers Speak of True Dharma

Hearing this, the Vishnu-dūtas smiled compassionately and replied:

“O servants of Yama! You speak without understanding the deeper essence of dharma. Listen, and we shall reveal the subtle truth.

Those who associate with virtuous souls, who perform acts of charity such as annadānam (feeding the poor), kanyādānam (offering a maiden in marriage), godhānam (donating a cow), or Sālagrāma-dānam (gifting sacred stones); those who perform last rites for the unclaimed dead, who plant Tulasi groves, build ponds and wells, worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and chant the divine name of Hari — such people are blessed.

And those who, at the time of death, remember the divine names ‘Narayana’ or ‘Shiva’, whether consciously or unconsciously, even by hearing the name spoken by another — such souls are purified. The power of divine remembrance transcends all sin.

Therefore, though Ajamila committed grave sins, he uttered the holy name ‘Narayana’ in his final moments. That single utterance, born of love for his son, was enough to destroy his sins and liberate his soul.”

Ajamila’s Realization

Listening to this divine conversation, Ajamila, still in his body, was filled with wonder and emotion. He said with tears of gratitude:

“O divine messengers of Vishnu! From my birth till this day, I have never performed a single act of worship to Lord Narayana. I have never undertaken any vow or followed any path of dharma.

I have failed to honor my parents, who bore me and raised me with care. I abandoned my caste and became fallen, living with women of impure conduct.

Yet, simply because of my love for my son — whom I named Narayana — I unknowingly called out the Lord’s sacred name at the moment of death. And that single call has saved me from the torments of hell and has granted me this divine vision of your celestial forms. ✨ Nagula Chavithi 2025 – Honouring the Serpent Deities & Inviting Protection ✨ నాగుల చవితి 2025

Ah! How fortunate I am! Surely, this is the fruit of my parents’ virtue and my past-life merits. I bow in gratitude to the Supreme Lord who, in His boundless compassion, has forgiven all my sins.”

Saying this, Ajamila joyfully ascended the divine chariot of the Vishnu-dūtas and was carried to Vaikuntha, the eternal abode of Lord Vishnu.

The Power of the Divine Name

Sage Vasishta then said to King Janaka:

“O noble king! Just as fire burns even when touched unknowingly, so too the remembrance of the holy name of Hari destroys sins whether uttered knowingly or unknowingly. This is the eternal truth.

Such is the unfathomable mercy of Lord Narayana — that even a sinner who once calls upon His name with sincerity attains liberation.”

Thus ends the Ninth Chapter of Karthika Puranam – The Debate Between Vishnu’s Messengers and Yama’s Servants.

Om Namah Shivaya.