The story of King Ambarisha, as narrated in the Bhagavata Purana, is a tale of devotion, faith, and divine intervention.
King Ambarisha was a righteous monarch who ruled his kingdom with wisdom and compassion. He was not just a capable ruler but also a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. His devotion was unwavering, and he regularly performed religious rituals and sacrifices to please the Supreme Lord.
One day, King Ambarisha decided to observe a special fast called “Ekadashi,” dedicated to Lord Vishnu. As part of this fast, he refrained from eating or drinking anything for an entire day and night. The fast concluded the next day at a specific time, and it was customary to break the fast by offering food to a qualified Brahmin.
As the auspicious moment for breaking the fast neared, a great sage named Durvasa arrived at the king’s palace. Durvasa was known for his short temper and unpredictable behavior. King Ambarisha, with all due respect, welcomed the sage and requested him to partake in the ceremony to break his fast.
Durvasa agreed but decided to complete his daily ritualistic bath in the river Yamuna before participating in the ceremony. However, as time passed, the moment for breaking the fast was quickly approaching, and Durvasa had not returned from his bath.
The king faced a dilemma. Breaking the fast at the prescribed time was crucial, as it was a sacred observance, and not doing so would be a grave sin. On the other hand, offending the sage Durvasa, even unintentionally, could result in his wrath, which was known to be formidable.
In his dilemma, King Ambarisha decided to prioritize his duty to the divine. He consulted his ministers and Brahmins, who advised him to break his fast as prescribed, fearing the consequences of a delayed offering to Lord Vishnu.
The king followed their counsel and took a sip of water to break his fast at the exact moment. Just as he did so, Sage Durvasa returned from his bath and learned what had transpired. Enraged by what he perceived as a slight, Durvasa created a fearsome demon to harm the king.
In the face of this impending danger, King Ambarisha calmly surrendered to Lord Vishnu, seeking His protection. Lord Vishnu, in response to His devoted servant’s plea, dispatched His divine weapon, the Sudarshana Chakra, which not only destroyed the demon but also pursued Durvasa.
Terrified by the relentless pursuit of the Sudarshana Chakra, Durvasa sought refuge with Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, but they were unable to intervene. Finally, Durvasa approached Lord Vishnu Himself, seeking safety. Lord Vishnu informed Durvasa that He could not countermand the power of His own weapon, and only King Ambarisha could do so.
Recognizing his folly and the king’s unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu, Durvasa approached King Ambarisha and sought forgiveness. King Ambarisha, demonstrating his magnanimity, not only forgave the sage but also prayed for his well-being.
This incident underscores the supremacy of devotion and duty over even the wrath of great sages. It highlights the unwavering faith of King Ambarisha in Lord Vishnu and the divine protection that comes to those who earnestly seek the Supreme’s shelter. The story of King Ambarisha serves as an enduring example of the power of devotion and the grace of the Almighty.
