|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 115 –The legend of Manu/Emperor Ambareesha -1

In this chapter, Maharishi Vedavyasa describes the Pravriththi as well as Nivriththi Marga of the rulers of the Ikshvaku dynasty.  The Pravriththi Marga is the duties and responsibilities of an individual, based on the Varnna Ashrama Dharma.  The Nivriththi Marga is the duties and responsibilities of an individual to get freed from worldly matters, worldly bondage and ultimately attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.   The Nivriththi Marga removes the increased dependency on people, possession, fame, and wealth, with the knowledge that it would shovel the individual in extreme fear, anxieties, sorrow, agony, grief, and loneliness; eventually, it would become a burden for others too.  The practice of spirituality teaches withdrawal from worldly matters, bondage, possessions and wealth, eventually attain nearness to the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings.  The human body undergoes a constant transformation; therefore the attachment to the body, material things, and people causes intense grief and hopelessness.  Hence,  Rishis taught us to get hold of the permanent and changeless ‘supreme soul’ through the sacred scriptures.   The rulers of this well-known clan were righteous, and prominent in both Pravriththi Marga and Nivriththimarga of life.  It has become a regular practice in their lives, to rule the Kingdom wisely for several years for the welfare of their subjects, finally assign the Kingdom to the heir of the throne, and move to woods to contemplate upon Supreme Lord Hari.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, King Nabhaga had a righteous son Ambareesh who was ruling the Sapthadhvipa.  He was the Emperor who had endless fame and splendor, even though he was not proud of his prowess, wealth, or splendor.   He had the supreme knowledge that all these material well-being and bondage is transient in nature, the attachment to it would heave into darkness.   He had a thorough knowledge of addiction to wealth, fame and bondage could lead a miserable life, he wisely ruled the Kingdom without getting attached to it.  He turned all his attention to Lord Vasudeva, who is all-pervading and eternal; he relentlessly served the devotees of Lord.  In this way, he raised his soul from the worldly attachments, thus he could give less importance to his wealth and prowess, and considered them as equal to sand.  He believed the devotion to the supreme as the greatest wealth.  Emperor Ambareesha utilized his senses wisely, he engaged mind and intellect on Lord, by fixing gaze at the feet of Supreme Lord Vasudeva, he employed tongue for singing in praise of the supreme abode of Sri Vaikundham,  he engaged hands in the veneration of supreme Lord and cleaning his shrine without any hesitation, he employed ears listening to the glorious myths of supreme Lord Vasudeva.  He engaged his feet for visiting the shrines of Lord Vasudeva, and he employed head for bowing down before supreme Lord.   His prayers were not for fulfilling wishes or fulfillment of any personal motive or not for the happiness or material welfare.   He spends hours in the association of devotees of Lord, and saintly people, contemplating the endless glories of Lord Vasudeva and, singing and praising his splendor.  He ruled his Kingdom wisely, and the subjects were extremely happy.  Emperor Ambareesha felt the eternal presence of Lord Mukunda in his heart while taking care of his kingly duties.  In this way, he became a favorite of Lord Hari with the constant practice of Bhakti Yoga, and the performance of rites of Swadharma, eventually he could withdraw himself from the worldly matters and bondage.   He has secluded himself from the possession of the Kingdom, precious gems and ornaments, family, wives, children, relatives, etc. which has impermanent nature."