|| 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.

|| 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."