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Bhakti of King Ambarisha
In the Srimad Bhagavatam, King Ambarisha is described as a Rajarshi or a Royal Sage. His biography best describes the term Rajarshi . His piety lay beyond mere description or depiction.
King Pariskshit longed to hear his story due to his unparalleled devotion for the Supreme Lord. Sri Hari is famous among the great ascetics and devotees. King Parikshit ruled over the entire planet. Although he established his supremacy over all the islands, its luxuries, wealth, power, people and other things, he did not his own position as a master, instead considered himself as the servitor of the Supreme Lord.
He perceived everything that he owned, as nothing but vague elements of the cosmic dream.
He was a Jnani as well as a Bhakta.
Coming back to Ambarisha; along with having soft emotions exclusively for the Lord, King Ambarisha possessed a strong understanding of the Vedic Scriptures. Hence, he became a perfect example of a pure devotee of the Lord.
Devotees of the Lord not only possess devotion, but also knowledge. So, due to his immaculate grasp on the Vedic teachings, he very well understood the law of impermanence.
Therefore, he fixed his mind on the changeless, his deity. He wouldcontemplate on the Lotus feet of Vasudeva, his cherished deity, day and night.
King Ambarisha’s Devotion
Least interested in wealth, luxuries, power, name and fame, King Amabarisha would consider everything material as a chunk of earth, perishable.
King Ambarisha spent his time in Manas Seva and Leela Smaranam (Mental Service and Remembrance of the Lord). His lotus mouth always sprinkled the nectar of the Lord’s divine pastimes.
He swept the altar of the Lord and would perform excellent services for the pleasure of the Lord alone.Day in and day out, his ears would engage in Hari Katha rendered by elevated priests and sages.His taste buds, extremely well trained and controlled, would only seek to consume the Lord’s Prasadam.
Just like devotion was his very breath, he would encourage his citizens to chant the holy names of the Lord.During his reign, devotees went for pilgrimages with ease.
Most times the royal servitors would sanctify the roads and construct suitable roadways so that devotees faced no difficulties on their pilgrimage.His devotion prospered under the noble advice of revered sages like Sage Vasistha and others.
Yes, Sage Vasishta was his spiritual preceptor, as King Ambarisha was from the Solar Dynasty.
King Ambarisha Performs a Sacrifice
On the advice of great ascetics like Vasishtha, Asita, Gautama and others, king Ambarisha performed significant horse sacrifices for the Lord’s pleasure.He did nothing for his own satisfaction.The magnanimous ritual instilled awe and reverence in the hearts of the locals.
Other men and women looked at the huge sacrificial fire, blazing in the Kunda without blinking their eyes.They resembled the Devatas as in the Shastras, it is said that Devatas never wink their eyes.
Their hair stood in surprise as King Ambarisha whole heartedly engaged in the sacrifices.Every person developed an urge to become a devotee of the Lord, influenced by the eagerness of the King to satisfy the Lord.
Indeed, the piety of King Ambarisha influenced each and every soul on the globe and on the celestial planes.
Sri Narayana Blesses Ambarisha
This sacrifice had great spiritual significance.With each Ahooti made, the King consciously gave up his attachment.Others might consider this to be an austere gesture.But, with much ease King Amabarisha surrendered his attachment for house, family, kingdom, army, jewellery, people, wife, children, friends, wealth, etc.
The fact that everything is transitory and unreal dawned upon him with strengthened fervour by the Will of Sri Hari.As a result, Sri Hari blessed the pious King with his own Sudarshana Chakra.
This meant, whenever the cloud of danger surrounded the King, the Lord’s Sudarshana Chakra would appear and destroy the evil.The Sudarshana Chakra, in other words, was at the service of Ambarisha.
There is an Interesting Story of Sage Durvasa and King Ambarisha.It is popular among the devotee circle.The story goes to tell the Supremacy of Pure devotion over all religious and social beliefs.
It established King Ambarisha as one of the foremost devotees of Sri Hari.
Dwadashi Fast of King Ambarisha
King Ambarisha along with his chaste, pious and devotional wife observed Ekadashi fasts which fallson the 11th day of either fortnight of a lunar month.They made a vow to fast on this day, for a year.
On his third day of the fast, (which means one day before Ekadashi, on Ekadashi and on Dwadashi) , an unusual event happened. As usual the King along with his wife bathed in the sacred waters of River Kalindi, in the forest of Madhuvana.
They purified themselves and appeared before the altar of the Lord. Now, King Ambarisha bathed his deity, following the rules, as prescribed in the Vedic Scriptures.
He performed his deity seva which included applying sandalwood pastes, scented perfumes and decorating the Lord with jewellery and enchanting forest flowers. With one pointed attention and devotion the king sang hymns in praise of the Lord.
As part of his fasting routine, the king invited learned Brahmanas and gave away in charity 60-crore cows abundant with milk, beauty, youth and color. Also, he graciously complimented them with horned calves.
Their Gold plated horns, silver plated hoofs and silk robes, all signify the King’s large heartedness, generosity and detachment from matter.
Firstly, he offered the Brahmanas with Satvik Prasadam. All kinds of dishes were served and everything to their linking like sufficient Dakshina was presented to them. The satisfied Brahmana’s endowed the King with their blessings and permitted him to conclude his fast.
The king followed their orders and was about to partake in the first morsel of Prasadam.
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Sage Durvasa Accepts Ambarisha’s Request
On the third day of King Ambarisha’s fast, an uninvited guest approached his doors. It was Sage Durvasa. King Ambarisha graciously invited him to accept his royal services and honor him.
So, he with scented water, bowed at the lotus feet of the revered Sage Durvasa.
As he bent his head, he said: “Oh sage, please accept my humble prayers. I would be blessed to conclude my fast after serving you with delicacies.”
Sage Durvasa accepted his heartfelt prayers. However, he asked the king to wait for him until he completed his mid-day ablutions at the banks of river Kalindi.
The king, without any room for doubt, waited for the sage. However, time passed and there was no sight of the Sage. Only half a Muhurta (Auspicious Time to break the fast) was pending. If one does not break the fast doing the auspicious time, the result of Service is deemed to be lost.
Within this timeframe, the king must conclude the fast so as to complete his vow.
King Ambarisha consults the Sages
Now, the king faced a moral crisis. The Devotion of King Ambarisha was famous. However, his righteousness and morals were also recognized worldwide. So, he approached the sages and said: “Oh knowledgeable sages, I am stuck with a dilemma.
On one hand, I am not permitted to partake food without feeding my revered guest (Sage Durvasa) and on the other hand, I must conclude my fast in order to fulfil my vow.
If I don’t satisfy both the conditions, I shall surely incur sin. Disrespecting a sage as well as not concluding the fast, both are sinful activities. Hence, I am under your shelter.
Please advise me on my next course of action.” The sages consulted with each other for a while and then returned to the king. They said: “You have invited the Sage for Prasadam. So, you must consume food after his return.
However, you must also break your fast. So, oh sinless king, consume water as the Shastras consider partaking water as an equivalent to consuming Prasadam, especially at the culmination of a fast. In this way you shall incur no sin. You will not disrespect the sage as well, at the same time, also conclude your fast.”
Anger of Sage Durvasa
Following the advice of the Learned Brahmanas, King Ambarisha drank water and concluded his fast. Meanwhile, Sage Durvasa returned from the banks of river Yamuna.
The King greeted him. However, Sage Durvasa’s eyes turned red with rage. Through his intuitive powers he realized that the king had drunk water to conclude his fast.
His body trembled with rage, lips pursed downwards and his face frowned with displeasure. In the fit of anger, he spoke the following words: “Oh unrighteous, Adharmic King, you invited me to dine with you and I accepted your proposal.
Yet, you consume water without making the first offering to ME. This is a grave insult, a crime which cannot go unpunished. Your hospitality, unlike spoken of by others, is sinful.
You shall surely bear the consequences.”
Creation of Kritya
Saying thus, the sage pulled out a strand of his matter hair locks. As soon as the hair strand came in contact with the ground, it assumed the form of a Kritya (Female-Evil-Spirit).
She is an aspect of universal dissolution. The sage invited her to get rid of Ambarisha. As she speedily raced towards Ambarisha, a huge explosive sound reverberated in the skies, turning the Kritya into a pile of Ash.
The earth was trembling under the feet of Kritya as she hastily ran towards Ambarisha. But, now the Mighty Sudarshana emerged to protect Sri Vishnu’s devotee, who stood fixed to the ground, without moving an inch.
Sudarshan Chakra chases Sage Durvasa
Surprisingly, the Anger of the Sudarshana surpassed all boundaries as it sped towards Durvasa. The frightened sage hastily ran in all the 10 directions to save himself.
But as an angry serpent never fails to miss its prey, the Sudarshana chased Sage Durvasa. The sage went underwater, to the different lokas, spheres, in the skies, etc, but all in vain. The Sudarshana Chakra followed him like a stubborn shadow.
When all rays of hope faded away, he took refuge under the wise Brahma.
Sage Durvasa exclaimed: “Oh universal creator, father of all living entities, Sri Brahma, save me from this Sudarshana Chakra.”
Durvasa Seeks Refuge
To this, Sri Brahma replied: “ I too am under the grip of dissolution. As soon as the pastime of creation of the Lord ends, I along with my sons, creation, Daksha, and other Prajapatis dissolve in the Time-Spirit.
The mere wrath of Lord Shiva pulls us in the mouth of Death. So, Oh Durvasa, I am incapable of helping you.” Now, the scorching heat of the Sudarshana Chakra started to become intense.
Hastily, Sage Durvasa entered Mount Kailash and submitted himself to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva says: “Great sages like Marichi, Kapila, Sanat Kumara and myself are under the grip of his delusive potency.
So, how can I possibly help you from the Divine weapon of Sri Narayana? So, you should take refuge under the Lord who owns this weapon. Take refuge under Sri Narayana.”
Without wasting a single moment, the sage ran towards Kshira Sagara(Milk ocean of Lord Vishnu) where the Lord resides with his eternal consort Lakshmi Devi.
Sage Durvasa says: “ I am your offender. I unwittinglycommitted the crime of insulting and causing pain to your beloved devotee Ambarisha. Please, oh dear Lord, wipe away my sin and relieve me from your Sudarshana. Your mere Name relieves sinners from the torments of hell. So, cast your merciful glance on me.”
To this Sri Vishnu replies: “ I am sorry, but I cannot help you. I have no control over my own existence.
The devotee who has renounced his wife, pleasures of material life, children, wealth,etc, now owns me. I am under his control only. He is my very heart, my very reason for Being.”
Durvasa Saved from the Calamity
Sage Durvasa realized that none other than King Ambarisha could rescue him.
He immediately surrendered to King Ambarisha. The grief stricken sage, clasped the lotus feet of Ambarisha and wept inconsolably. King Ambarisha felt ashamed to see the sage fall at his feet.
The Great King considered himself lower than the lowest creatures. Perhaps this is the sole reason that the Lord gave him such a glorious position that the sage had to beg for forgiveness from him.
However, King Ambarisha, who can never be tainted by pride of any of the 6 vices, bent down to receive the sage. With eyes full of tears of compassion, the King addressed the Divine discus.
He praised and sang hymns in the glory of the Sudarshana. After a lot of pacification, the Sudarshana Chakra, retrieved itself. Sage Durvasa exclaimed: “You are the jewel among devotees. I pay my respect unto you.”
Saying thus, the king gratified the hungry sage with tasteful Prasadam. After completing his meal, Sage Durvasa exclaimed: “Oh dear Ambarisha, now kindly partake of the delicious prasadam.
May the entire world remember you for your finerulership, piety and above all your unparalleled devotion.”
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