॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Saturday, 4 March 2023 - IX.04 Part 1 - The story of Nabhaga and Ambarisha.
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These shlokas are very evocative and I have reproduced the entire first portion of the chapter here for reading.
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This chapter has two interesting stories. Both are devotees – Nabhaga (नाभाग) and Ambarisha (अम्बरीष).
The son of Manu was Nabhaga, and his son Nabhaga (नाभाग) returned to the palace after long years of study as a Brahmachari in the gurukula. He found that his brothers had split all the inheritance amongst themselves, leaving nothing for him. When he asked for his share, they said that they were glad to give their father as Nabhaga’s share! He went to his father and told him about the dealings of the brothers. His father regretted the fact that the boy had been cheated. But there was nothing to do for Nabhaga except go to a famous Yajna being conducted by Sage Angiras. The father, also a great devotee, forecast that the Sage would forget in the middle of the Yajna the mantras and if Nabhaga supplied the words, his act would be apprectiated and he wiuld get a share of the Yajna reward which would be sumptuous enough to see his livelihood through.
Nabhaga did exactly that and indeed was rewarded by Sage Angiras with a share of the Yajna offering left. A glad Nabhaga was gathering the wealth when he was surprised to see a dark-lloking individual cime along. That man shooed Nabhaga away, saying the Yajna portion was indeed his and Nabhaga dare not usurp the share.
Nabhaga was a gentle and fair person. So he dud not quarrel. The dark man then told him to go back to his father and tell him what had happened.
When Nabhaga reported the matter, his father smiled and said that indeed that dark man was none other than Lord Shiva, who would be offered the final portion in every Yajna as decided in the Daksha Yajna. Nabhaga went back and profusely apologized to the dark man. Lord Shiva revealed himself, and showered all the wealth that remained as the offering, and even gave him Brahma Jnana since Nabhaga was a worthy seeker.
Later, Nabhaga’s son was born, named Ambarisha.
Ambarisha is held up as a supreme devotee of Bhagavan Vishnu. He was a true Rajarishi and had no attachment to anything of his great kingdom or wealth or family. His singe-minded focus was on Bhakti Yoga and Bhagavan. Read this shloka.
वासुदेवे भगवति तद्भक्तेषु च साधुषु ।प्राप्तो भावं परं विश्वं येनेदं लोष्टवत्स्मृतम् ॥
T: Ambarisha was immersed only in Bhagavan Vasudeva and His devotees. He considered the whole world and all possessions as trivial as a piece of stone.
Once, Ambarisha performed a great Yajna (true to his being a Rajarishi and not failing in any of his Dharmic duties) on the bank of River Saraswati in the western desert. The Ashwamedha Yajna was conducted with extreme opulence and all the Rishis and priests were honoured very well.
Indeed, Sage Vyasa says that Ambarisha created such prosperirty, peace and happiness that his citizens did not covet even heaven. They were better off here!
स्वर्गो न प्रार्थितो यस्य मनुजैरमरप्रियः । शृण्वद्भिरुपगायद्भिरुत्तमश्लोकचेष्टितम् ॥
T: Ambarisha’s subjects were accustomed to chanting and hearing about the glorious activities of Bhagavan maha Vishnu. Thus they never aspired to be elevated to even heaven, which is extremely dear even to the gods!
तस्मा अदाद्धरिश्चक्रं प्रत्यनीकभयावहम् । एकान्तभक्तिभावेन प्रीतो भक्ताभिरक्षणम् ॥
T: Sage Vyasa also adds that Bhagavan was so pleased with the Bhakta Ambarisha that Bhagavan had assigned his infallible Sudarshana Chakra to protect him Ambarisha always!
Ambarisha concluded his Yajna. Then he observed austerity for one whole year. Then he offered prayers by going to Madhuvana on the bank of the river Yamuna, sanctified by Bhagavan Sri Krishna, and propitiated Him. At the end, Ambarisha fasted ritualistically for three days, subsisting only on water. The next day was Dwadashi, and at the appointed hour, Ambarisha would break his fast. He prepared on the appointed day of Dwadashi an elaborate feast and served with all reverence the Rishis and Brahmins, leaving nothing unattended. Then he prepared to take his own meal.
Just then, the famed Sage Durvasa (दुर्वासा) appeared there. Durvasa is world-famous for his ready temper and the power to grant any boon or curse on anyone. Everyone is terrified of him. His role in shaping the events of Mahabharata is legendary.
Durvasa was received with the highest reverence by Ambarisha. He offered Durvasa the best of hospitality. Durvasa said he would first go to the Yamuna, complete his bath and rituals, and then return for the meal.
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
