138 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 6, Ch. 2

mriyamanah—at the time of death; hareh nadma—the holy name of
Hari; grnan—chanting; putra-upacadritam—indicating his son;
ajamilah—Ajamila; api—even; agdt—went; dhama—to the spiritual
world; kim uta—what to speak of; sraddhaya—with faith and love;
grnan—chanting.

TRANSLATION

While suffering at the time of death, Ajamila chanted the holy
name of the Lord, and although the chanting was directed toward
his son, he nevertheless returned home, back to Godhead.
Therefore if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name
of the Lord, where is the doubt that he will return to Godhead?

PURPORT

At the time of death one is certainly bewildered because his bodily
functions are in disorder. At that time, even one who throughout his life
has practiced chanting the holy name of the Lord may not be able to
chant the Hare Krsna mantra very distinctly. Nevertheless, such a per-
son receives all the benefits of chanting the holy name. While the body is
fit, therefore, why should we not chant the holy name of the Lord loudly
and distinctly? If one does so, it is quite possible that even at the time of
death he will be properly able to chant the holy name of the Lord with
love and faith. In conclusion, one who chants the holy name of the Lord

constantly is guaranteed to return home, back to Godhead, without a
doubt.

Supplementary note to this chapter.

Srila Vigvanatha Cakravarti Thakura’s commentary to texts nine and
ten of this chapter form a dialogue concerning how one can become free
from all sinful reactions simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord.

Someone may say, “It may be accepted that by chanting the holy name
of the Lord one becomes freed from all the reactions of sinful life.
However, if one commits sinful acts in full consciousness, not only once
but many, many times, he is unable to free himself from the reactions of
such sins even after atoning for them for twelve years or more. How is
