Ganga amongst the rivers; Lord Vishnu amongst Gods and Siva amongst the devotees of Vishnu, occupy the foremost position. Similarly, this epic also qualifies for the highest position amongst all the Puranas. This volume is the Sixth Skandha of Bhagavatam. Out often characteristics like Sarga, Visarga contained in Bhagavatam, the fourth characteristic viz. Poshana is depicted clearly in this Skandha. This Skandha contains nineteen chapters.

The Lord incarnates to protect the virtuous and punish the wicked. The Lord himself says in the Gita, "For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked and for establishing Dharma, I take birth in every age". The Lord is so compassionate that not only He protects His devotees but also the wicked who express their Bhakti towards Him in whatever manner. The story of Ajamila described in this Skandha is an apt example to establish this truth.

In the very beginning of this work, Pareekshit asks Suka the way to escape Hell, which is full of sufferings of various types. In reply to this query, Suka explains the story of Ajamila, in the. first three chapters. Even a microscopic Bhakti purifies and liberates the devotee.

Suka states that those who devote their mind towards the Lord's feet, even in a dream resulting in their atonement, would not ever face Yama or his messengers. This becomes clear in the conversation between the two groups of the servants of Vishnu and Yama.

Ajamila, a fallen Brahmin, begets ten sons through a Sudra woman. The youngest of them was named Narayana, who was liked most by his father. Ajamila, at the time of his death, remembered that boy. On seeing the servants of Yam a, he was shocked and called out his son Narayana. Immediately, the servants of Lord Vishnu also appeared on the scene, and prevented Yamadutas from taking away Ajarnila to the Hell. They (Yamadutas) recounted the numerous evil deeds of Ajamila and asserted that he deserved Hell only. But Vishnudutas argued that all the sins committed by Ajamila were washed away by his uttering the sacred name of Narayana. They asserted that the mere mention of the name of the Lord either intentionally or otherwise, would bum all the sins like fire the fuel. So saying, the Vishnudutas took Ajamila to Vaikuntha.

The Yamadutas reported these happenings to Yama He said that what Vishnudutas did was the correct thing, as the mention of the divine name of the Lord Narayana was so powerful that it cuts asunder the ropes of death (Mrutyu pasas).

Pareekshit questions Suka about the orderliness of creation. Suka then explains to him, the birth of Daksha Prajapati who praised Lord Vishnu by chanting Hamsa Guhya Mantra. The Lord was pleased and taught him the Dharma of copulation of couples, (Mithuna Vyavaya dharma). By following that Dharma, Daksha begets a number of sons. But all of them become averse to Samsara, influenced by the teachings of Narada.

Thus, the efforts of Daksha to multiply the population get a setback. Therefore Daksha curses Narada that he would be a wanderer all over the universe without getting a foothold anywhere. Thereafter, Daksha again begets sixty daughters, through whom multiplication of population was achieved.

Once, Indra, being proud of his around prosperity, fails to respect his Guru, Bruhaspati, when the latter came to him. Thus having been dishonored by Indra, Bruhaspati leaves Devaloka and goes away to a un- known place. Taking advantage of his absence, the Asuras create troubles to gods. Then, the gods approach Brahma and as per His advice, appoint Viswarupa, the son of Twasta, as their Chief Priest. But Viswarupa was sympathetic towards the auras. However, the gods defeated asuras with the help of Viswarupa. This story is narrated in 4 chapters, from the fourth chapter to seventh chapter of Bhagavatam.

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