|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 116 –The legend of Manu/Emperor Ambareesha -2

Once Emperor Ambareesha went to Madhuvanam near the river banks of Kalindhi, to perform austerities of Dwadashi, and the austerities continued for a year.  The moment has arrived to complete the year-long austerities.   Sage Durvassa arrived to meet the Emperor on a Dhwadhashi day.   Emperor Ambareesha received the Sage with great reverence and invited to accept the meal so that the Emperor could finish the process ‘Parana’ to complete the year-long vow of Ekadashi.  Sage Durvassa agreed, took a leave to take a dip in the river Kalindi, and immersed in meditation.  Emperor Ambareesha waited for the Sage to return so that he can fruitfully complete the austerities, but there was no sign of Durvas’s return, the time for the completion of austerities were approaching, Ambareesha discussed the matter with the royal priests, they advised the Emperor to consume a drop of water with the sacred Tulsi, that would help him to successfully complete the Ekadashi Vratha.  Emperor Ambareesha found it is ideal to complete the process of ‘Parana’ so that he can serve his guest Sage Durvass with due respect and protect himself from the sin of consuming meal without serving the guest. Ambareesha prepared to consume the Tulsi water to complete the ‘Parana’, all of a sudden there appeared Sage Durvass and found the Emperor consuming ‘Tulsi’ water. He could not control his anger, he felt humiliated, shrieked in anger and thrashed his matted hair locks on the floor.  A dreadful female named ‘Krithya’ holding a fierce sword appeared from the matted hair locks; she rushed to kill Emperor Ambareesha who was unwavering, did not move an inch from the place.  Suddenly the powerful disc of Lord Vishnu comes into sight from nowhere and sieved off the head of Krithya. Then, it moved towards Sage Durvassa, he was alarmed and he began speeding to Lord Bhrama.  In this way, the disc of Lord Vishnu chased Sage Durvassa, he rushed to Sathyaloka was received with great honor.  Sage Durvass appealed to Lord Bhrama to protect him from the fiery disc.  Lord Bhrama advised Sage Durvassa to appeal to Lord Shiva.  Sage Durvassa ran towards Mount Kailash and requested to Lord Shiva, but he revealed his inability to freeze the fiery disc and advised to appeal to Lord Vishnu.  Sage Durvassa rushed to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu was received with great reverence. Sage Durvassa requested Lord Vishnu to protect him from the fiery disc.

Lord Vishnu speaks “Oh! Mahamune, I am under the custodian of my ardent devotees/ Bhakthaparadheena, I am not independent or free from them, I have fastened myself in the hearts of saintly people, I am beloved of my passionate devotees/Bhakthajanapriya, whoever free from the attachments of material possessions, family, wealth, children, and relatives, etc. and surrendered to me, how can I leave them in distress? They have already surrendered their heart with constant contemplation, like a wife to her wedded husband; hence humiliate my devotees would hurt me as well.  My devotees are entirely dependent on me like a child of a monkey attached to its mother, with the firm faith that its mother would protect him from all the troubles; therefore it wouldn’t leave its hold from its mother.  They cannot perform anything in my absence, so I cannot leave them. Oh! Vipra, listen to me carefully, devotion and knowledge will multiplies with humility if there is no humility they cannot attain my nearness.  Therefore, return to Emperor Ambareesha and request for forgiveness.”

Sage Durvassa rushed to Emperor Ambareesha who was waiting for the Sage to partake meal was surprised to see the fiery disc that was chasing Durvassa.  Emperor Ambareesha eulogized the Sudharshana Chakra of Lord “  Oh! Sudharshana,  Oh! Achyuthapriya, I shall prostrate before supreme Lord who holds the vicious weapon Sudharshana Chakra, kindly provide peace to Sage Durvassa.  If I am a staunch devotee of Lord Vasudeva, If I have surrendered my intellect and mind to supreme Lord who resides as a soul in all living beings, If I am a beloved of supreme Lord Vasudeva, kindly provide peace to Sage Durvassa.”  In this way, Emperor Ambareesha eulogized the fiery disc of Lord Vishnu.  Instantly, the fiery disc disappeared from sight.    

Sage Durvassa with folded hands speaks “Oh! Rajan, I have seen the splendor of Lord Vishnu from his greatest devotee, I am fortunate to meet you and understand the greatness of a devotee.  I am highly pleased with your devotion, I have attained the auspiciousness to be in the association of a liberated soul, and it is my great fortune to remain your guest.” Sage Durvassa prepared to prostrate before Emperor Ambareesha was stopped “Oh! Mahatma, you are an ascetic, you should not bow down before a Grihastha.” Ambareesha received the Sage with great admiration and served the meal, later he consumed the leftover meal of the Sage and received blessings from Sage Durvassa.

Emperor Ambareesha ruled the Kingdom for several years later crowned his elder son who is heir to the throne,  Ambareesha proceeded for Vanaprasthashrama and contemplated upon Supreme Lord Vasudeva.

Whoever reads or listens to the legend of Emperor Ambareesh would attain the firm devotion at the lotus feet of supreme Lord Vasudeva.