Based on the Story of Ambarīṣa Mahārāja and Durvāsā Muni
The King Who Conquered With Devotion
Ambarīṣa Mahārāja was a saintly ruler, blessed with unimaginable wealth and power, yet entirely uninterested in material grandeur. His heart belonged solely to the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Everything he did—seeing, walking, smelling, hearing, speaking, and eating—was offered in devotion. His life was a living prayer.
He observed vows like Ekādaśī with deep sincerity, even performing year-long vratas on the banks of the Yamunā. Such devotion pleased the Lord so much that He gave Ambarīṣa His personal weapon—the Sudarśana Cakra—for the king’s protection.
The Arrival of the Sage
One day, after a long fast and worship, Ambarīṣa Mahārāja was just about to break his Ekādaśī vow when the fiery sage Durvāsā Muni arrived. The king welcomed him with reverence and invited him to honor prasādam. The sage agreed but went to bathe before eating.
As the auspicious moment to break the fast was slipping away, Ambarīṣa consulted with the brāhmaṇas and decided to sip a little water—something considered both eating and not eating. But when Durvāsā returned and mystically saw what had happened, he became furious.
The Wrath of Durvāsā
In rage, Durvāsā tore a hair from his head and created a demon to destroy the king. Yet Ambarīṣa, calm and surrendered, did not flinch. Sudarśana, Lord Viṣṇu’s divine disc, immediately appeared and destroyed the demon, then turned toward Durvāsā himself.
Terrified, the sage fled. He ran across the earth, to Mount Sumeru, to Brahmā, to Śiva, and even to Lord Viṣṇu in Vaikuṇṭha, seeking protection—but none would help him.
The Lord’s Unmoving Love
When Durvāsā begged Viṣṇu for protection, the Lord replied:
“I am not independent. I am completely controlled by My devotees. Those who offend them cannot be saved even by Me. Go to Ambarīṣa Mahārāja. Only he can forgive you.”
Viṣṇu quoted:
“I am completely under the control of My devotees. I do not have independence. My heart lives in them.”
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.4.63)
The Sage’s Redemption
Durvāsā returned and fell at Ambarīṣa’s feet. The king, feeling no pride, only compassion, prayed to Sudarśana to spare him:
“O protector of devotees, if I have any love for Lord Hari, please cool your flames and spare this soul.”
The disc relented. Durvāsā, moved to tears, acknowledged the greatness of the devotees:
“You waited a whole year without eating, just for me. Though I tried to destroy you, you saved my life. I am forever indebted.”
Lessons to be Learned
- True Strength Lies in Humility: Ambarīṣa showed that calm devotion can withstand even the fury of the most powerful sages.
- Devotees Are Dear to the Lord: The Lord declared Himself bound by His devotees’ love.
- Offending a Devotee Is Spiritual Suicide: Even Brahmā, Śiva, and Viṣṇu did not protect Durvāsā.
- Forgiveness Heals: Only by the forgiveness of the devotee could the offense be erased.
- Service to the Devotees Is Higher Than Direct Worship of God: The real worship of God begins with honoring His beloved servants.
