Ambhareeshar

[Guest guest]

The effect of Bhagavatha apacharam is narrated

eloquently in the AMBHAREESHA UPAKHYANAM.

I am quoting this story, Although this is besides the

point raised by Mr. Jaganath ( I realize he was referring

to the point that Sita and Rama are beyond Apacharams).

 

The greatest of the sins is Bhagavatha apacharam.

All sorts of sins can be redeemed, but not

Bhagavathaapacharam. Here is a story from Bhagavatam

to illustrate this point.

King Ambhareesha of the Ikshvaku race was a great bhakta.

He practised Ekadashi vratam with utmost

sincereity. Once sage Durvasar visited him on Ekadashi

day. He greeted the rishi well and the next day (Dwadashi) at the

early hours invited him for the meals. But Durvasar

said he would join him after morning rites and departed

to a nearby river. The Rishi did not return for a long time.

Ambhareesha waited, waited and waited. Finally, the king

did not want the dwadashi to pass by without breaking fast.

This would mean vratabhangam. Thus he decided to have

at least a sip of water (as he did not want to have meals

in the absence of his guest). The king had just taken a sip of water,

at which time Durvasar returned and was enraged at the king.

Durvasar created a monster with one of his hair and set it

against the king. The bhootam was about to engulf the king.

 

Ambhareesh is a great devotee. He had the protection of

Lord's Sudarshana Chakram. The Chakram destroyed the

bhootam at once and with intense flames proceeded to

attack Durvasar. Durvasar fled to Kailasam and prayed to Siva,

which was of no use. He then fled to Brahma lokam and

sought Chaturmukha Brahma's help-no use again. Finally

he arrived in Vaikuntam. At the sight of Durvasar, Vishnu

enquired the cause of his concern. Durvasar narrated

his plight and requested Vishnu to stop His Chakram.

Vishnu said, while it is true that Chakram is His, but He

can not stop it, because Durvasar has committed BHAGAVATHAPACHARAM. He can

not do anything.

When Durvasar pleaded further, Vishnu showed

him a way out and suggested Durvasar to surrender

to Ambhareesha. That of course worked, because

as soon as Ambhareesh praised thus:

Saharaditya sankasham

Sahasravadanam param I

SahasradOh sahasrAaram

prapadyeham Sudarshanam II

the Chakram was quitened by this stuti.

(Reference: Pages 120-121:

Sri Ramakathasara - Kannada

version of lectures on Ramayana

by Srirangam Srimad Andavan

Swamigal, Kannada translation

by Mattur Krishna Murthy,

Published by Shankara Murthy,

Guruguha gana Nilaya, 1367,

VII Main, Sriramapuram, Bangalore 560021)

 

Sincerely,

K. Sreekrishna(tatachar)