Ajamila

In Hindu mythology Ajamila is an example of a completely corrupted sinner,
who is saved from Death by the boundless power of God’s grace. Ajamila is a
fallen brahmin who does all the things
forbidden to brahmins—he eats meat,
drinks liquor, takes a low caste woman as
his mistress, and ignores all the purity
laws which brahmins are supposed to
keep. His only redeeming feature is his
love for his son Narayana, which is also
one of the names of Vishnu. As he lies
dying, Ajamila sees the minions of Death
coming for him, whose terrible forms
portend a dire fate. In his terror at this
vision and his longing for his son, Ajamila
calls out “Narayana” with his dying
breath, and because of this Vishnu sends
his minions to rescue Ajamila. Ajamila is
brought to Vaikuntha, Vishnu’s dwelling
place, where he lives happily.