The Sixth Canto is the chest of the Supreme Lord. Among all limbs chest is the most secretive one. To understand this Canto a certain degree of inner spirituality and dedication are crucial. This important Canto begins with the supreme story of Ajāmila. Daksha’s descendants, Nārayana kavaca, death of Vishwaroopa, procuring of the Vajrāyudha (thunderbolt), the death of Demon Vŗttasura, the previous birth of Vŗtta, birth of Marut-gaṇās, the ritual known as Pumsanava-vrata and other such wonderful topics are covered. In this Canto dasa lakshana poshana is detailed. This Canto is a very important tool that teaches about the supremacy of devotion.
Sixth Canto Chapter One
In this chapter the story of Ajāmila is covered.
Emperor Parikshit addressed Maharishi Śuka and said, “O venerable saint! You had previously explained in detail the path of return (Nivṛtti mārga). The aspirant who walks on this path gradually adheres to śama, dama and other disciples and thereby realizes the Supreme Lord as his inner Self. He is thus freed from the bondages of repeated re-births. This is the path of liberation.
O Maharishi! You also explained that the three attributes of Nature (trigunas) are the cause for this path of worldly expansion (pravṛtti mārga) i.e. the path of fruitive action which traps the person into repeated cycle of re-births. This path of fruitive action repeatedly bestows a gross body to the spiritually ignorant person, isn’t it?
O sage, you explained about the various hells which accrue to a person based on his unrighteous impure deeds. You also explained about the period of time known as Manvantara. You explained the stories and also the lineages of Uttanapada and Priyavrta, the sons of Swāyambhuva Manu.
You also explained in great detail about the greater earth, the various planetary systems, the mountains, rivers, oceans, islands, gardens, trees contained within them. You explained the higher and lower planetary systems and described in detail their characteristics, locations and dimensions. You explained the way the Supreme Lord creates this universe.
O Mahatma, please dispel one doubt of mine. What is the way by which a person can escape falling into the hellish planets and suffering therein?”
Maharishi Śuka replied, “O King, **the human being should atone for sins (prāyascitta) committed through mind, body and speech. **If he fails to atone for his sins, he is bound to fall into hell after death. I have already narrated to you the severity of sufferings that will be undergone in hell”.
**It is imperative for every person to critically scrutinize his moral and immoral deeds. This scrutiny should be done even when he is young and healthy. He should then without any delay atone for his sins. **
Just as a doctor diagnoses the disease and thereafter administers appropriate treatment depending upon its severity, we should, at the earliest, critically scrutinize our pious and impious deeds. Then based on the intensity of sins, atonement should be undertaken.
Emperor Parikshit then enquired, “O revered saint, the person obtains knowledge of sinful activities based on what he hears and sees in this world. Nevertheless, due to lack of control over the mind, he repeatedly indulges in those sinful deeds even after this knowledge. How can such person ever atone for his sins? Does his atonement serve any purpose?
The elephant bathes in the lake and cleanses itself thoroughly. Nevertheless, after coming to the shore it once again sprinkles dirt upon its body. Likewise, the person atones for his sins only to indulge in them once again. As such I am unable to believe that atonement is the solution for sins. Please dispel this doubt of mine.”
He undergoes purificatory rituals and is satisfied about his purity. Then contentedly and happily he moves about for a few days. Thereafter once again he gets involved in the same sinful activity. What is served by this atonement?
Maharishi Śuka replied, “The spiritually ignorant person performs actions with an expectation of some result. Hence it is impossible for one action to set off all past fruitive actions. **To absolve oneself from all sins, the person should mandatorily obtain Self-knowledge. He should understand the Absolute Truth. This is the real atonement. **
O emperor, diseases do not strike the person who eats nutritious healthy food. Likewise, the person who leads a disciplined life will slowly wash away all sinful tendencies that exist subtly within his mind. Gradually he will obtain enlightenment. This is the correct approach.
Aspirants who possess wisdom, dedication and knowledge of dharma, use the disciplines of Yama and Niyamā to set right this problem. Just as fire reduces wood into ashes, through such disciplines they burn out even their worst sins”.
Wise people tune towards disciplines to burn out their sins. They maintain absolute mind and sense control. They are wiser than those who simply atone for the sins and thereafter indulge in them once again.
Nārayana namah