O Süta Gosvämi, there are those amongst men
who desire freedom from death and get eternal life.
They escape the slaughtering process
by calling the controller of death, Yamaräja.
Srila Prabhupada writes: The living entity, as he develops from lower animal life to a higher human being and gradually to higher intelligence, becomes anxious to get free from the clutches of death. Modern scientists try to avoid death by physiochemical advancement of knowledge, but alas, the controller of death, Yamaräja, is so cruel that he does not spare even the very life of the scientist himself. The scientist, who puts forward the theory of stopping death by advancement of scientific knowledge, becomes himself a victim of death when he is called by Yamaräja. What to speak of stopping death, no one can enhance the short period of life even by a fraction of a moment. The only hope of suspending the cruel slaughtering process of Yamaräja is to call him to hear and chant the holy name of the Lord. Yamaräja is a great devotee of the Lord, and he likes to be invited to kirtanas and sacrifices by the pure devotees, who are constantly engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. Thus the great sages, headed by Saunaka and others, invited Yamaräja to attend the sacrifice performed at Naimisäranya. This was good for those who did not want to die. (S.B. 1.16.7)
This is one of my favorite passages. I have a deep respect and admiration for Sri Yamaraja deva, and ever since I read this verse and purport years ago, I have many times prayed to Yamaraja to come join our kirtans.
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