Story of Ajamilana (2)

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Ajamilana (2)

Messengers of Yama answer queries on Dharma to Messengers of MahaVishnu.

1. What is Dharma?

Dharma (righteousness) is that which is enjoined by the Veda. That which is forbidden by the Veda is Adharma.

Veda is emanated from Bhagavan Narayana Himself (it flows from nostrils by the way of respiration).

2. What are means of ascertaining Dharma?

The sun, the fire, the sky, the air, Indriyas (sense of perception and sense of action), the moon, the morning and evening twilights, day and night, the four quarters, water, the earth, Time and Dharma are witnesses (evidences)of good and evil actions of a Jiva (embodied soul).

3. How is the punishment meted out? Is there any distinction while meting out the punishment?

Unrighteousness, ascertained by the above evidence, determines appropriate punishment. There is no distinction while considering punishment for sinful action.

4. How good and bad deeds are associated with action?

Good or evil deeds are associated with action either with one's mind, body, or speech. Action is associated with 3 gunas (modes of prakriti) - sattva, rajas, and tamas.

Virtuous or sinful action done in this world is rewarded or punished in the same manner and to the same extent in the other world.

5. Is there heterogeneity in one's life, and what is it?

Yes, there is heterogeneity in one's life. For example:

1. Those living a life of ease, those leading a miserable life and those who are partly happy and partly miserable.

2. Those who are tanquil by nature, those who are ferocious and those who are dull.

3. Those who are pious by temperament, those who are vicious by nature and those who are of mixed temperament.

These three types of people severally performed meritorious, sinful, or mixed deeds in the past. It is inferred that they will reap the three corresponding types of fruit in another life.

6. What is meant by subtle elements and how it is associated with Jiva, the soul?

When a soul leaves the body, it carries with 16 subtle elements viz., the 10 indriyas, the mind, and 5 objects of senses. These subtle elements are a product of 3 gunas. These are exceedingly attached. This leads Jiva again and again to transmigration (rebirth cycle).

Messengers of Yama question their Lord Yama on who is supreme, you or anyone else. Lord Yama explains the power of Lord Narayana 's name. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana