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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 9: Chapter 4: Verses 15-27
The stories of Nabhaga and King Ambarisa
Sri Suka replied : Having inherited (the dominion of) the (entire) globe with its. seven divisions (Dwipas) and (alongwith it) an inexhaustible store of wealth and unequalled power and luxuries, the highly blessed Ambarisa regarded all that as equal in value to (no more valuable than) objects seen in a dream--even though it was most difficult to attain in the eyes of men (of the world-knowing as he did the perishableness of (all) wealth, through which man falls a prey to infatuation. He had attained that supreme devotion to Lord Vasudeva and His pious devotees by virtue of which (all) this (untold) wealth was regarded by him as (no better than) a clod of earth. He fixed his mind exclusively on the lotus-feet of Lord Visnu (the Enchanter of all); he employed his words (eloquence) in recounting the virtues of Lord Vaikuntha, his hands in sweeping the temple of Sri Hari and so on, (and) his auditory sense in hearing the excellent stories of the immortal Lord. He employed his eyes in seeing the idols and temples of Lord Sri Krsna (the Bestower of Liberation) and his tactile sense (pervading all the parts of his body) in touching the limbs of His servants (devotees); he devoted his olfactory sense to the fragrance of the blessed Tulasi leaves derived from (the contact of) His lotus-feet and his sense of taste to the food etc., offered to Him. (Nay,) he employed his feet in repairing on foot to the tracts of land (Mathura and soon) consecrated to Sri Hari and his head in bowing to the feet of Lord Visnu (the Controller of our senses) and coveted the offerings (such as wreaths of flowers, sandal-paste, scents and dainties) made to the Lord not with a desire to gratify his senses (only) but with a view to (attaining) His service (as a token of His grace). And he did all this (merely) in order that attachment may be conceived (in his mind) for the servants (devotees) of Lord Visnu (enjoying excellent renown). Thus resigning from day to day all his round of duties to the supreme Lord, who is above (all) sense-perception and whose worship excels all other sacred observances, and practising devotion to Him with his entire being, he ruled the earth, it is said, as instructed by Brahmanas (like the sage Vasistha) devoted to Him. He propitiated the almighty Lord presiding over sacrifices through (a number of) horse-sacrifices conducted by Vasistha, Asita, Gautama and other sages in a desert land facing the stream of the Saraswati river-sacrifices that had all their limbs as well as sacrificial fees (paid to the priests and other Brahmanas) supplemented by abundant riches. In his sacrifices the superintending priests as well as the priests officiating at the sacrifice and other men (assembled there), who were (all) richly dressed (and adorned too) and were gazing with unwinking eyes* (in wonder), looked alike in appearance with the gods (present there). (Even) the celestial region, beloved of immortals, was never solicited by his men (much less by the king himself-), who (constantly) heard and chanted the stories of Lord Visnu (of excellent renown). (Nay,) pleasures of sense which were not easily attainable even to the Siddhas (a class of demigods endowed with mystic powers from their very birth) did not delight the aforesaid men-who (always) perceived Lord Mukunda in their heart-eclipsed as they were by the bliss of Self-Realization (enjoyed by them). Thus propitiating Sri Hari through the practice of Devotion coupled with asceticism, as well as through (the performance of) his (sacred) duties, the aforesaid king gradually gave up all attachments. With respect to his houses, wife, children and (other) relations, excellent
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elephants, chariots, horses and foot-soldiers, inexhaustible (store of) jewels, ornaments and weapons etc., as well as regarding his endless treasuries he developed the notion that they were, (all) unreal.
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