Ambareesh :- King of the SKY

Manu's son was Sharyati also known as Nabhag, Nabhag's son was Naabhaag, and Naabhaag's son was Ambareesh. Ambareesh was a very religious and a great devotee of Vishnu. Naabhaag was a great devotee of his parents. As a result of his service for his parents, Naabhaag was very much comfortable. He had a son Ambarish who was a great devotee of Vishnu.

Maharaja Ambarish was the emperor of the entire world, but he considered his opulence temporary. He engaged his senses and mind in the service of the Lord Even the great wealth on earth had no value for Ambarish.The king Ambarish served the God with his own hands and remained immersed in His love. King Ambarish was an atmanivedi - a humble servant of the Lord. Both he and his queen Srimathi were performing great austerities. Pleased with his devotion Vishnu appointed His Chakra to guard him. Sudarshana Chakra's sole responsibility was to gaurd Ambareesh and his family from any possible harm.

Once, Ambarish followed Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat (waterless fast observed on the eleventh day of each phase of lunar month) for a year. Ekadashi (Sanskrit for eleven; also spelled as Ekadasi) is the eleventh lunar day (Tithi) of the shukla (bright) or krishna (dark) paksha (fortnight) of every lunar month in the Hindu calendar (Panchang). In Hinduism, it is considered spiritually beneficial day. Scriptures recommend observing an (ideally waterless) fast from sunset on the day prior to Ekadashi to 48 minutes after sunrise on the day following ekadashi.
Ekadashi is a bimonthly occasion that is mainly observed by Vaishnavas, although its observance is also open to followers of non-Vaishnava traditions. On the Ekadashi day strict fasting is observed, abstainance from all grains, beans, cereals and certain vegetables and spices. The fast on Ekadashi is concluded by eating in a stipulated time on Dwadashi ( the next day ). If one fails to eat on dwadashi he loses the punya of Ekadashi. King Ambareesh and his wife ad fasted on every ekadashi, not even drinking water. During one such fast, when the king was in Mathura , on the twelfth day, king Ambarish was about to break his fast, when sage Durvasa arrived there along with his ten thousands disciples.

Durvasa is an ancient sage, son of Atri and Anasuya. He is supposed to be an incarnation of Shiva. He is supposed to be the only rishi whose penance goes up whenever he curses somebody. He is known for his short temper. Maledictions or curses he gave in his rage (known as Shapa) ruined many lives. Hence, wherever he went, he received great reverence from humans and Gods alike. Seeing the sage on a Dwadashi is a extremely rare and considered a very good omen. Ambarish was overjoyed. He fell at their feet and welcomed them. Welcoming him, the king requested Durvasa to accept food. But the sage turned down the request saying that it was prayer time for him, so he would first go to take bath, then worship and take alms (food) ultimately.

Durvasa and his disciples went to the Yamuna river. And so Durvasa and his disciples bathed for a long time. Time flew away,however Durvasa Rishi did not return back. But the sacred time for ending the fast was near. It was a alpa Dwadashi ( stipulated time of eating is less than 24 minutes ). The priests and purohits of the Royal Court advised the King of his do's and don'ts and requested him to eat something and complete his Vrat in stipulated time. However the king could not be convinced. The king asserted that Durvasa and his disciples were his Athithi's ( Guest ) and were equivalent to God. He refused to accept any food till his honourable guests were rightly revered and worshipped. However as time went by, and Durvasa Maharishi di dnot return, the Courtiers strted putting pressure on king Ambareesh. They convinced the king to take Sri Theertham ( Holy Water used to worship God ) with a few Tulasi leaves. This would act as a compromise between eating something to complete the Vrat and at the same time waiting for the sage and not having the meal. Thus persuaded, Ambareesh partook the Sri Theertham and completed his Vrat.

Just then Durvasa and his disciples arrived. They discovered that Ambarish had completed his fast in their absence. Durvasa never needs to search for anger.He was the very incarnation of anger. He lashed out at Ambareesh for not treating him properly. He called Ambareesh a sensualist who cared only about eating and did not know how to respect people. Ambarish touched Durvasa's feet in apology. The king explained his position with utmost sincerity.King replied having drunk water is still considered to be in the state of upavasa only. and at the same time it can also be considered as having eaten by Dwadashi time to complete vrata. So he has not done any sin. Also, he welcomed the Sage and requested him to accept his food. But would Durvasa not listen He began to chastise Maharaja Ambarish, but he was not satisfied. Finally in a fit of rage, he plucked a hair from his head and transformed it into a demonness Krityaa ,like the fire of death. He ordered the demoness to kill Ambareesh on immediate basis.

Ambarish was truly a great devotee of the Lord. He stood with hands joined in humility and begged for forgivance. Demoness Kritiya proceeded towards Ambareesh to kill him but Ambareesh stood unmoved. Lord Sriman Narayana saw His devotee in trouble and inspired His Sudarshan Chakra (wheel) to save the king. Vishnu's Chakra Sudarshana, incharge of Ambareesha's protection at once sprang into action. The Sudarshan Chakra began to spin. Its bright light burnt the demonness to ashes. Just as Swami Desikan describes it " Vikata Maya Bahiskruta", Sudarshan effortlessly destroyed the demoness and now moved on to attack

Durvasa Rishi. Sudarshan Chakra aimed at sage Durvasa. When Durvasa saw Sudarshan aimed at him, he ran for his life. Now Durvaasaa ran away from there and wherever he went the Chakra followed him. Yama, Indra, Soma Surya, Agni, Varuna, Kubera Devatas refused to help Durvasa as they feared that Sudarshan Chakra could harm them. For a whole year Durvasa ran here and there. Durvasa then went to Brihaspati who apprasied the Rishi of the greatness of Sudarshana Chakra and requested Durvasa to try his luck with the Trimurties of the world.

Wet with perspiration and fear, Durvasa Rishi reached Kailasa Parvatam. Durvasa informed Shiva of what has happened. Hearing his story, Rudra told him that he has commited a great sin and requested him to seek Brahma's help. Siva informed him that he is not in a position to act against the wishes of the Sudarshana Chakra and his powers are a no match to that of Sudarsha Chakra. He reached Satyaloka. But Brahma told him that he was not able to protect the person who had done harm to a devotee of God. He informed Durvasa that all Devatas are engaged in the service of the universe. This Chakra is unstoppable by anyone except Sriman Narayanan. Only He can save you

Screaming ''Paahi maam! Paahi maam!'' Durvasa went to Lord Sriman Narayana sleeping in Ksheerabdhi and asked that he be saved from the Sudarshan Chakra. Sri Vishnu said "Durvasa, once my Chakra has been thrown at a person it never returns without killing him. I have no solution.'' Durvasa began to weep. Necrophobia started to creep in. Lord Narayana could not excuse a person who had offended a Vaishnava. Lord Narayana advised Durvasa to return to Maharaja Ambarish and beg his pardon. For Bhagavat Apacharam, the only solution is to fall on the feet of that Bhagatava and beg for mercy.

Durvasa had no other option. And so after a year of battering, Durvasa went to Ambarish. From the moment Durvasa had run away, with the Chakra chasing him King Ambarish had remained standing at the place he had been insulted. He had not eaten or drunk anything. Ambarish Tila is said to be the place where Ambarish Maharaja stayed for an entire year waiting for Durvasa Muni to return, without breaking his Ekadasi fast. There is a Hanuman temple on top of the hill here. Not many people visit this place. Durvasa fell at King Ambarish's feet. Ambarish pulled his feet away and raised Durvasa. He said, ''King of Sages, your falling at my feet is not right.'' Durvasa replied, ''Ambarish, you are a true devotee of the Lord. I have insulted you. Please forgive me. Save me from the Sudarshan Chakra.''

King Ambarish prayed to the Sudarshan Chakra and said, ''If the love and respect I have for Durvasa at this moment are the same as they were when he first came to my palace, then, Oh Sudarshan Chakra! Please return to the Lord.'' The Sudarshan Chakra returned to Lord Vishnu at once. "O Lord if I had done any pious deed, may it be enough to calm you and may the heat that torments this Brahmarishi quenched." Thus by the prayers of king Ambarish, Sudarshan was quietened and returned to its position on Lords finger and sage Durvasa recovered from his sufferings.Durvasa was tremendously relieved. Then both he and Ambarish together went to the banquet hall. The Lord cannot tolerate an insult thrown upon a great devotee of His. So never take fault with any devotee. Being humble before such a devotee pleases the Lord.