Ajamila, Ajāmila: 6 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. Vaishnavism
Languages
1. Sanskrit
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Introduction:

Ajamila means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Ajāmila (अजामिल).—Ajāmila’s story is given in the Bhāgavata as an example to illustrate that even the most wicked person can attain Viṣṇupāda (Salvation).

Ajāmila was a Brahmin who was once sent by his father to the jungle to fetch samit (leaves and twigs to make the sacrificial fire). Ajāmila met there a beautiful Śūdra woman. Forgetting everything, the Brahmin made her his wife and children were born to them. When that Brahmin, who was the very embodiment of all vices, reached the age of eightyseven, the time came for him to die. Yamadūtas (Agents of Yama—the god of death) had arrived. The frightened Ajāmila shouted loudly the name of his eldest son, 'Nārāyaṇa'. Hearing the repeated call of his name 'Nārāyaṇa', Mahāviṣṇu appeared there and dismissed the agents of Yama. From that day Ajāmila became a devotee of Viṣṇu and did penance on the bank of the Ganges and after some years attained salvation. (Bhāgavata, Aṣṭama Skandha, Chapter 1).

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Ajāmila (अजामिल) was a Brāhmaṇa of Kanauj who married a Śūdra woman (and had children of whom he was very fond), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.1 (“The dalliance of Śiva”).—Accordingly, as Lord Viṣṇu said to Brahmā: “[...] If any one separates the copulated pair by a tricky expedient, he will have the pangs of separation from his wife and sons in every birth. He will fall from perfect wisdom. [...] Though Ajāmila, a noble brahmin, was in copulation with a Śūdra woman, gods did not interfere due to this fear. [...]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Ajāmila (अजामिल).—An old itihāsa of. A Brāhmaṇa of Kanyākubja, versed in śāstras and celebrated in ācāra. Once when out to get kuśa grass, he saw a dāsī and fell in love. Then he abandoned all his duties and discarded his wedded wife. The dāsī became his wife. She bore him ten sons. The last was named Nārāyaṇa best loved of his parents. At the time of his death, when the messengers of Yama were waiting to remove him to hell, he called out his last son by his name Nārāyaṇa. On this, the messengers of Vīṣṇu were on the scene and prevented Yama's men from taking the Brāhman to hell. It was argued that pronouncing the name of Hari at his death redeemed him of all his sins, and that alone was the secret of Dharma. Yama heard this and approved it. Ajāmila, thus rescued from Death, felt penitent, and while making tapas at Gaṅgādvāra, he cast off his body and reached viṣṇuloka.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 1. 20. to the end; Ib. VI. ch. 2 & 3.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Ajāmila (अजामिल) refers to:—A highly qualified brahmaṇa who became attracted to a prostitute and fell into a life of sin. He was saved at the time of death by calling out to his favorite child, Nārāyaṇa, whose name is a name of the Lord. At that time, the messengers of Śrī Nārāyaṇa saved him from the messengers of Yamarāja, the lord of death. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[Sanskrit to German]

Ajamila in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Relevant text

Search found 14 books and stories containing Ajamila, Ajāmila; (plurals include: Ajamilas, Ajāmilas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 2.13.268 < [Chapter 13 - The Deliverance of Jagāi and Mādhāi]

Verse 2.23.325 < [Chapter 23 - Wandering about Navadvīpa On the Day the Lord Delivered the Kazi]

Verse 2.1.339 < [Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Lord’s Manifestation and His Instructions on Kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana]

+ 12 more chapters / show preview

Śrīla Gurudeva’s Childhood Name < [Chapter 1.2 - Śrīla Gurudeva’s Pūrvāśrama]

Vaiṣṇava-sevā < [Chapter 1.4 - Life in the Maṭha]

show preview

Chapter 2 - Exposition of the Bhāgavata Dharma < [Book 6 - Sixth Skandha]

Chapter 1 - The Story of Ajāmila < [Book 6 - Sixth Skandha]

Chapter 3 - Yama explains Viṣṇu’s greatness < [Book 6 - Sixth Skandha]

+ 2 more chapters / show preview

Song 14 < [Bhakta-gaṇa-saha-vihāra (Pastimes with the Devotees)]