Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 9 Chapter 5:14-27

Book 9: Chapter 5

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 9: Chapter 5: Verses 14-27 The story of Ambarisa (Concluded) Durvasa observed : Ah, the glory of servants (votaries) of the infinite Lord has been witnessed by me today in that you, 0 emperor, strive for the good even of him (myself) who has wronged you. Indeed what is there hard to accomplish for benevolent souls and what is there difficult to forswear in the eyes of the high-souled, by whom Lord Sri Hari, the Guardian of devotees, has been lovingly installed in their heart ? What could there be wanting on the part of servants (votaries) of that Lord of hallowed feet, through the very hearing of whose Name a person is rid of all impurities? 0 king, I have been (greatly) favoured by you, an extremely kind-hearted soul, in that my life has been saved by you, overlooking my offence. The emperor, who had not (yet) taken his meal (ever since) in the hope of the sage's return, sumptuously fed him after gratifying him (in the first instance) by clasping his feet. Sated at heart after partaking of the (rich) fare (appropriate to a guest)brought to him with reverence and gratifying every wish (suiting every taste), Durvasa politely said to the king, "(Please) take your food, I am really pleased and obliged by the sight, touch and talk as well as by the hospitality-offered with a mind fixed on the supreme Self-of a (great)devotee of the Lord in you. Celestial ladies will repeatedly celebrate this blemishless deed of yours. Nay, this earth (itself) will loudly proclaim Your most sacred glory." Sri Suka resumed : Having thus acclaimed the king and asking leave of him, Durvasa, who was highly gratified, rose through the heavens to Brahmaloka (the region of Brahma), attainable (only) through disinterested action.A (whole) year had elapsed before the sage, who had gone out (in search of a quarter to Brahmaloka and other regions), returned (to the capital of Ambarisa). And, longing for a sight of the sage, the king-so the tradition goes-subsisted on (mere) water (all these months). And, when Durvasa left, the said Ambarisa ate the (remnant of) food that had been rendered most holy by being partaken of by a Brahmana (the sage Durvasa). And perceiving the evil plight and (ultimate) redemption of the seer (Durvasa), as well as his own firmness in remaining without any food for a whole year), he thought it (all) to be a glory of the Supreme. Possessed of many such qualities, the said emperor (Ambarisa) practised devotion to Lord Vasudeva, the supreme Spirit and the ultimate Reality, through his multifarious duties (that stood offered to Him)-by virtue of which (devotion) he regarded (all) blessings including the position of Brahma (the creator) as (no better than so many) forms of damnation. Now, leaving his kingdom to the care of his sons, who were (all) possessed of a disposition similar to his own, the wise Ambarisa retired to a forest. (And) fixing his mind on Lord Vasudeva, his own self, he (eventually) had his round of births and deaths brought to a close. Anyone reciting and repeatedly musing on this aforesaid sacred story of Emperor Ambarisa bids fair to become a devotee of the Lord. Thus ends the fifth discourse entitled "The story of Ambarisa," in Book Nine of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.