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Lord Vishnu is one among the Trinity. He is one who is difficult to please, except through unwavering devotion towards him. Once a devotee gains Lord’d grace through his devotion nothing can harm him. Only a true devote can experiences the love of God. This article is about such a true devoted King Ambarish, who got protection from Lord Vishnu’s most powerful weapon in the world. This story not only depicts the devotion and its power but also tells importance of Ekadashi and its fasting.
The story is between Durvasa maharishi and the virtuous King Ambarish who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Durvasa Maharishi is one of the form of Lord Shiva (one among Trinity), he is infamous for his anger. He gets annoyed easily and impose curse on the people who made him angry.
King Ambarish
King Ambarish belongs to Ikshvaku dynasty, kings of Ayodhya. He is well known for his ardent devotion towards Lord Vishnu. Pleased by his unweaving devotion, Lord Vishnu gave him the most powerful weapon in the universe; Sudarshana Chakra. Once King Ambarish performed Ekadashi fast, he took a penance of performing 12 Ekadashi fasting and breaks it on Dwadashi.
King of demigods, Lord Indra was feeling uneasy by seeing this fasting of King Ambarish. Indra is worried about his position in Deva Loka. As the king already poses the greatest of weapons Sudarshana Chakra, if he successfully finishes the fast, he will be as powerful as Lord Indra. He details Durvasa Maharishi about Kings fasting and ask him to give his blessing during the fast knowing that he gets annoyed easily.
Durvasa maharishi meeting king Ambarish
After receiving the offerings from Lord Indra, Durvasa Maharishi depart to meet King along with his disciples. On the day of Dwadashi when the king was performing the rituals to break the fast, Maharishi arrives at the King’s palace along with his disciples. King was joyous to see the wonderful sight of the great sage along with disciples. He receives all of them with respect and offers everything.
Durvasa maharishi pleased with king’s humble nature, said “Oh! King, I came from far, first let me cleanup by taking a quick bath in the nearby river then we both can break the fast together”. King accepts sage request and gently reminds him to come before auspicious time ends to break the fast.
Alas! sage couldn’t make it on time. As per his peers advise King takes a sip of water to break the fast before auspicious time gets over. Upon knowing that king broke the fast without him, Durvasa became furious, with raging temper he cut a stride of his hair from which a furious demon emerged. He commanded the demon to attack the King.
Shudharshana Chakra Protecting King
King prays to Lord Vishnu to protect him and his people from the demon, soon from his forehead the most powerful weapon in the universe emerges with full dazzling radiation and speed. Before even the demon realizes, it is no more. Then it starts towards the sage, who was astonished by the sight in front of him.
After recovering soon, he starts running towards Indra Loka for protection. Lord Indra asks him to go to Brahma Loka as he can’t do anything to stop the powerful weapon. As per his instruction he will run to Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma advises him to go to Kailasa and seek Lord Shiva’s help as he can’t do anything. After reaching Kailasa, he seeks for Lord Shiva’s protection from Sudarshana Chakra for which shiva denies telling only lord Vishnu has the power to stop the Sudarshana.
Finally, he reaches Vaikunta, the supreme realm where Lord Vishnu resides. He asks Lord Vishnu to save him from Sudarshana Chakra. Lord replies with a smile saying only King Ambarish has the power to stop it. Upon hearing the Lord’s words, he immediately reaches the King’s palace and requests king to save him from Sudarshana. King asks Lord to recall his weapon and forgive sage. Durvasa maharishi understood his mistake and blessed the King and broke the fast along with the King.
In essence
It is a beautiful story which showcases the greatness of Ekadashi Vrat , pure devotion and how lord Vishnu protects his devotees from the danger.
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||
Temples to visit in India (Religious places) – Naveen, Shravya: 9781655416231 – AbeBooks
