The Story of King Ambarisha and the Power of Devotion

The Eternal Mystery Of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath by Srikanta…..
ହେ ମଣିମା
Pravu Sudarshan
MAHAPRABHU SHREE JAGANNATH (BAPA) IS ABSOLUTE TRUE,
OTHER THAN HIM ARE RELATIVELY TRUE….

In ancient times, there reigned a noble and pious king named Ambarisha, whose heart overflowed with devotion for Lord Vishnu. Every action he performed, every duty he fulfilled, was an offering to his beloved deity. One day, King Ambarisha decided to undertake a year-long vow, observing a strict fast and performing special rituals on the 12th day of each lunar month to deepen his spiritual connection.

As the year drew to a close, Ambarisha prepared to conclude his vow with a grand celebration. On that very day, the powerful sage Durvasa arrived at the palace with his disciples. Ambarisha, ever gracious, welcomed the sage and invited him to partake in the concluding feast.

Durvasa, however, decided to bathe in the holy Yamuna River before the meal. Lost in deep meditation while immersed in the water, he lost track of time. Meanwhile, the auspicious hour for Ambarisha to break his fast was rapidly approaching. Delaying any longer would nullify his year-long effort.

Seeking guidance, Ambarisha consulted his priests. They advised him to break his fast by simply drinking water, as waiting any longer would be disastrous. Following their counsel, the king respectfully sipped water, keeping his vow intact.

When Durvasa finally returned and learned of the king’s actions, he flew into a rage. Feeling insulted that the king had broken his fast before the sage had eaten, Durvasa invoked his mystical powers and created a fearsome demon named Kritya to destroy Ambarisha.

Undeterred by the impending danger, Ambarisha remained steadfast in his devotion. He prayed fervently to Lord Vishnu’s celestial weapon, the Sudarshana Chakra, for protection. The Sudarshana Chakra, witnessing the king’s unwavering faith and recognizing the injustice, instantly appeared.

With divine speed and power, the Sudarshana Chakra destroyed the demon and then turned towards the enraged sage. Durvasa, terrified, fled for his life. He sought help from Brahma, the creator, and even Shiva, the destroyer, but none could save him from the wrath of the Sudarshana Chakra.

Finally, Lord Vishnu himself advised Durvasa to seek forgiveness from King Ambarisha, for only the king’s sincere plea could appease the divine weapon. Humbled and defeated, Durvasa approached Ambarisha, begging for his life.

Ambarisha, demonstrating extraordinary compassion and humility, prayed to the Sudarshana Chakra to spare the sage. Touched by the king’s selfless devotion, the Sudarshana Chakra withdrew its wrath.

This tale of King Ambarisha serves as a timeless reminder of the power of unwavering faith, humility, and forgiveness. It illustrates that true devotion can overcome even the most formidable challenges and that divine grace protects those who surrender to the will of the Lord.