विद्वद्गोष्ठीपुरमाहात्म्यम् Vidvadgoṣṭhī Pura Māhātmyam

The Sadguru said:

King Ambarīṣa, the best among great devotees, always yearned for the company of the virtuous and was devoted to listening to sacred stories.

śrīsadgururuvāca

ambarīṣo mahārājo mahābhāgavatottamaḥ|

nityaṃ satsaṅgamākāṅkṣī kathāśravaṇatatparaḥ

अम्बरीषः · ambarīṣaḥ — King Ambarīṣa

महाराजः · mahārājaḥ — the great king

महाभागवत-उत्तमः · mahābhāgavatottamaḥ — the best among great devotees

नित्यम् · nityam — always

सत्सङ्ग-आकाङ्क्षी · satsaṅgamākāṅkṣī — yearning for the company of the virtuous

कथा-श्रवण-तत्परः · kathāśravaṇatatparaḥ — devoted to listening to sacred stories

अम्बरीषः महाराजः महाभागवतोत्तमः। सः नित्यं सत्सङ्गमाकाङ्क्षी कथाश्रवणतत्परः आसीत्।

King Ambarīṣa · the great king · the best among great devotees · always · yearning for the company of the virtuous · devoted to listening to sacred stories

This verse introduces King Ambarīṣa, establishing his character as a model devotee whose primary traits are his desire for the company of the holy and his dedication to hearing divine narratives.

He was the illustrious lord of Ayodhyā, the great son of Nābhāga, true to his word, a great hero, and a protector of his own dharma.

ayodhyādhipatiḥ śrīmānnābhāgatanayo mahān |

satyasandho mahāvīraḥ svadharmaparipālakaḥ

अयोध्या-अधिपतिः · ayodhyādhipatiḥ — the lord of Ayodhyā

श्रीमान् · śrīmān — illustrious

नाभाग-तनयः · nābhāgatanayaḥ — son of Nābhāga

महान् · mahān — the great one

सत्यसन्धः · satyasandhaḥ — true to his word

महावीरः · mahāvīraḥ — a great hero

स्वधर्म-परिपालकः · svadharmaparipālakaḥ — protector of his own dharma

सः अयोध्याधिपतिः श्रीमान् नाभागतनयः महान्। सः सत्यसन्धः महावीरः स्वधर्मपरिपालकः च आसीत्।

the lord of Ayodhyā · illustrious · son of Nābhāga · the great one · true to his word · a great hero · protector of his own dharma

This verse provides the royal credentials of Ambarīṣa, emphasizing his noble lineage and his unwavering commitment to truth and dharma, which are essential qualities for a devotee.

While undertaking a pilgrimage, he came to the land of Kerala. There, he saw an assembly of scholars (vidvadgoshthi) engaged in scriptural debate.

tīrthayātrāṃ prakurvāṇaḥ keralaṃ deśamāgataḥ|

vidvadgoṣṭhīṃ dadarśātra śāstravādaparāyaṇām

तीर्थयात्रां · tīrthayātrāṃ — pilgrimage

प्रकुर्वाणः · prakurvāṇaḥ — performing

केरलं देशम् · keralaṃ deśam — the land of Kerala

आगतः · āgataḥ — arrived

विद्वद्गोष्ठीम् · vidvadgoṣṭhīm — an assembly of scholars

ददर्श · dadarśa — saw

अत्र · atra — there

शास्त्रवाद-परायणाम् · śāstravādaparāyaṇām — engaged in scriptural debate

तीर्थयात्रां प्रकुर्वाणः सः केरलं देशम् आगतः। अत्र सः शास्त्रवादपरायणां विद्वद्गोष्ठीं ददर्श।

pilgrimage · performing · the land of Kerala · arrived · an assembly of scholars · saw · there · engaged in scriptural debate

The narrative shifts to the pilgrimage, bringing Ambarīṣa to Kerala where he encounters the assembly of scholars, setting the stage for his spiritual inquiry.

Bowing to them, the great king, who was humble and had his hands joined in respect, spoke sweet words to those foremost brahmins, who were masters of the scriptures.

tān praṇamya mahārājaḥ śāstrajñān brāhmaṇottamān |

uvāca madhuraṃ vākyaṃ vinīto vihitāñjaliḥ

तान् · tān — them

प्रणम्य · praṇamya — having bowed

महाराजः · mahārājaḥ — the great king

शास्त्रज्ञान् · śāstrajñān — masters of scriptures

ब्राह्मणोत्तमान् · brāhmaṇottamān — foremost brahmins

उवाच · uvāca — spoke

मधुरं वाक्यम् · madhuraṃ vākyaṃ — sweet words

विनीतः · vinītaḥ — humble

विहित-अञ्जलिः · vihitāñjaliḥ — with joined hands

महाराजः तान् शास्त्रज्ञान् ब्राह्मणोत्तमान् प्रणम्य, विनीतः विहिताञ्जलिः सन् मधुरं वाक्यम् उवाच।

them · having bowed · the great king · masters of scriptures · foremost brahmins · spoke · sweet words · humble · with joined hands

This verse illustrates the humility of a true seeker; despite being a great king, Ambarīṣa approaches the scholars with reverence, demonstrating the proper etiquette for receiving spiritual knowledge.

Ambarīṣa said:

O best of brahmins, tell me, how is Lord Vishnu to be worshipped so that He, Lord Hari, is pleased? How can His divine vision be attained?

ambarīṣa uvāca

kathamārādhito viṣṇuḥ prīṇāti bhagavān hariḥ |

kathaṃ taddarśanaṃ prāpyaṃ vadata brāhmaṇottamāḥ

कथम् · katham — how

आराधितः · ārādhitaḥ — worshipped

विष्णुः · viṣṇuḥ — Lord Vishnu

प्रीणाति · prīṇāti — is pleased

भगवान् हरिः · bhagavān hariḥ — Lord Hari

कथम् · kathaṃ — how

तद्दर्शनम् · taddarśanaṃ — His divine vision

प्राप्यम् · prāpyaṃ — attainable

वदत · vadata — please tell

ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः · brāhmaṇottamāḥ — O best of brahmins

हे ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः! विष्णुः कथम् आराधितः सन् भगवान् हरिः प्रीणाति? तद्दर्शनं कथं प्राप्यम्? इति वदत।

how · worshipped · Lord Vishnu · is pleased · Lord Hari · how · His divine vision · attainable · please tell · O best of brahmins

Ambarīṣa poses the central question of the text: the method of worship and the attainment of divine vision, which serves as the catalyst for the subsequent teachings on the Dvādaśī vow.

The Scholars said:

Among the Vaishnava dharmas, the vow of Dvādaśī is supreme and excellent. You should fast on Ekādaśī and perform the pāraṇa (breaking of the fast) on Dvādaśī.

vidvāṃsa ūcuḥ

varaṃ vaiṣṇavadharmeṣu dvādaśīvratamuttamam |

ekādaśyāmupoṣya tvaṃ dvādaśyāṃ pāraṇaṃ kuru

वरम् · varaṃ — excellent/best

वैष्णवधर्मेषु · vaiṣṇavadharmeṣu — among Vaishnava observances

द्वादशीव्रतम् · dvādaśīvratam — the vow of Dvādaśī

उत्तमम् · uttamam — supreme

एकादश्याम् · ekādaśyām — on Ekādaśī

उपोष्य · upoṣya — having fasted

त्वम् · tvaṃ — you

द्वादश्याम् · dvādaśyāṃ — on Dvādaśī

पारणं कुरु · pāraṇaṃ kuru — perform the breaking of the fast

वैष्णवधर्मेषु द्वादशीव्रतं वरम् उत्तमम् अस्ति। त्वं एकादश्याम् उपोष्य द्वादश्यां पारणं कुरु।

excellent/best · among Vaishnava observances · the vow of Dvādaśī · supreme · on Ekādaśī · having fasted · you · on Dvādaśī · perform the breaking of the fast

The scholars identify the Dvādaśī vow as the supreme Vaishnava observance, providing the practical solution to the king's inquiry about pleasing Lord Vishnu.

On Dvādaśī, after worshipping Vishnu with pāyasam (sweet rice pudding) and then feeding the brahmins according to the scriptures, one should then perform the pāraṇa.

dvādaśyāṃ viṣṇumārādhya pāyasena dvijānatha |

bhojayitvā yathāśāstraṃ tataḥ kuryācca pāraṇam

द्वादश्याम् · dvādaśyāṃ — on Dvādaśī

विष्णुम् · viṣṇum — Lord Vishnu

आराध्य · ārādhya — having worshipped

पायसेन · pāyasena — with sweet rice pudding

द्विजान् · dvijān — brahmins

अथ · atha — then

भोजयित्वा · bhojayitvā — having fed

यथाशास्त्रम् · yathāśāstraṃ — according to scriptures

ततः · tataḥ — thereafter

कुर्यात् · kuryāt — should perform

च · ca — and

पारणम् · pāraṇam — the breaking of the fast

द्वादश्यां विष्णुम् आराध्य, पायसेन द्विजान् भोजयित्वा, यथाशास्त्रं ततः पारणं कुर्यात्।

on Dvādaśī · Lord Vishnu · having worshipped · with sweet rice pudding · brahmins · then · having fed · according to scriptures · thereafter · should perform · and · the breaking of the fast

This verse details the ritualistic procedure of the Dvādaśī vow, emphasizing the importance of both devotion (worshipping Vishnu) and social duty (feeding brahmins).

O king of the earth, by doing this every fortnight for a year, you will become a recipient of Vishnu's compassion. This is the truth, there is no doubt.

evaṃ saṃvatsare kṛtvā pakṣe pakṣe mahīpate|

viṣṇoḥ kāruṇyapātraṃ syāḥ satyameva na saṃśayaḥ

एवम् · evaṃ — thus

संवत्सरे · saṃvatsare — in a year

कृत्वा · kṛtvā — having done

पक्षे पक्षे · pakṣe pakṣe — every fortnight

महीपते · mahīpate — O king of the earth

विष्णोः · viṣṇoḥ — of Vishnu

कारुण्य-पात्रम् · kāruṇyapātraṃ — recipient of compassion

स्याः · syāḥ — you will become

सत्यम् एव · satyameva — this is the truth

न संशयः · na saṃśayaḥ — no doubt

हे महीपते! एवं संवत्सरे पक्षे पक्षे कृत्वा, त्वं विष्णोः कारुण्यपात्रं स्याः। एतत् सत्यमेव, अत्र न संशयः।

thus · in a year · having done · every fortnight · O king of the earth · of Vishnu · recipient of compassion · you will become · this is the truth · no doubt

The scholars provide a guarantee of the efficacy of this vow, assuring the king that consistent practice will lead to the grace of Lord Vishnu.

Śrī Sadguru said:

The most fortunate Ambarīṣa, having completed his pilgrimage and returned to Ayodhyā, undertook the Dvādaśī vow.

śrīsadgururuvāca

ambarīṣo mahābhāgastīrthayātrāṃ samāpya ca |

ayodhyāṃ punarāgatya cakāra dvādaśīvratam

अम्बरीषः · ambarīṣaḥ — Ambarīṣa

महाभागः · mahābhāgaḥ — the fortunate one

तीर्थयात्रां · tīrthayātrāṃ — pilgrimage

समाप्य · samāpya — having completed

अयोध्याम् · ayodhyām — to Ayodhyā

पुनः आगत्य · punarāgatya — having returned

चकार · cakāra — performed

द्वादशीव्रतम् · dvādaśīvratam — the Dvādaśī vow

महाभागः अम्बरीषः तीर्थयात्रां समाप्य, अयोध्यां पुनरागत्य द्वादशीव्रतं चकार।

Ambarīṣa · the fortunate one · pilgrimage · having completed · to Ayodhyā · having returned · performed · the Dvādaśī vow

Ambarīṣa demonstrates his sincerity by immediately acting upon the advice of the scholars, showing that he is a true practitioner who values the wisdom of the virtuous.

At the conclusion of a vow in the month of Kārtika, along with learned brahmins and devotees, he reached the holy Madhuvana, where Lord Hari is ever-present.

vratānte kārtike māsi viprairbhāgavataiḥ saha|

puṇyaṃ madhuvanaṃ prāpa yatra sannihito hariḥ

व्रतान्ते · vratānte — at the end of the vow

कार्तिके मासि · kārtike māsi — in the month of Kārtika

विप्रैः · viprair — with brahmins

भागवतैः सह · bhāgavataiḥ saha — along with devotees

पुण्यं मधुवनं · puṇyaṃ madhuvanaṃ — the holy Madhuvana

प्राप · prāpa — reached

यत्र · yatra — where

सन्निहितः · sannihito — ever-present

हरिः · hariḥ — Lord Hari

व्रतान्ते कार्तिके मासि विप्रैः भागवतैः सह सः पुण्यं मधुवनं प्राप, यत्र हरिः सन्निहितः अस्ति।

at the end of the vow · in the month of Kārtika · with brahmins · along with devotees · the holy Madhuvana · reached · where · ever-present · Lord Hari

The setting of the narrative moves to the holy Madhuvana, a place of eternal divine presence, which provides the sacred backdrop for the upcoming test of the king's devotion.

After bathing in the Yamunā and worshipping the Śālagrāma stone, the devotee observed a fast and a vow of staying awake through the night.

snātvā'tha yamunāyāṃ ca śālagrāmaṃ samarcya ca |

upavāsaparo bhakto niśi jāgaraṇavrataḥ

स्नात्वा · snātvā — having bathed

अथ · atha — then

यमुनायाम् · yamunāyām — in the Yamuna river

च · ca — and

शालग्रामम् · śālagrāmam — the Shalagrama stone

समर्च्य · samarcya — having worshipped

उपवासपरः · upavāsaparaḥ — devoted to fasting

भक्तः · bhaktaḥ — the devotee

निशि · niśi — in the night

जागरणव्रतः · jāgaraṇavrataḥ — observing the vow of staying awake

भक्तः यमुनायां स्नात्वा शालग्रामं समर्च्य च उपवासपरः निशि जागरणव्रतः अभवत्।

having bathed · then · in the Yamuna river · and · the Shalagrama stone · having worshipped · devoted to fasting · the devotee · in the night · observing the vow of staying awake

This verse establishes the king's rigorous spiritual preparation, emphasizing his commitment to the Ekadashi vow. It sets the scene for the subsequent divine intervention by highlighting his purity and devotion.

Having passed the night by listening to sacred stories and chanting the divine names, he then bathed in the waters of the Yamunā in the morning.

satkathāśravaṇenāpi nāmasaṅkīrtanena ca |

nītvā niśāmatha prātaḥ snātvāpi yamunājale

सत्कथाश्रवणेन · satkathāśravaṇena — by listening to sacred stories

अपि · api — also

नामसङ्कीर्तनेन · nāmasaṅkīrtanena — by chanting the divine names

च · ca — and

नीत्वा · nītvā — having spent

निशाम् · niśām — the night

अथ · atha — then

प्रातः · prātaḥ — in the morning

स्नात्वा · snātvā — having bathed

अपि · api — again

यमुनाजले · yamunājale — in the waters of the Yamuna

सत्कथाश्रवणेन नामसङ्कीर्तनेन च निशाम् नीत्वा अथ प्रातः यमुनाजले स्नात्वा।

by listening to sacred stories · also · by chanting the divine names · and · having spent · the night · then · in the morning · having bathed · again · in the waters of the Yamuna

This verse describes the king's sanctification of time through devotional activities, which is a prerequisite for the divine grace he is about to receive.

After worshipping Vishnu according to the prescribed rites and honouring the brahmins, he sat down to break his fast with their permission.

viṣṇumabhyarcya vidhivad brāhmaṇānabhipūjya ca |

tatastairabhyanujñātaḥ pāraṇārthamupāviśat

विष्णुम् · viṣṇum — Lord Vishnu

अभ्यर्च्य · abhyarcya — having worshipped

विधिवत् · vidhivad — according to rules

ब्राह्मणान् · brāhmaṇān — the brahmins

अभिपूज्य · abhipūjya — having honored

च · ca — and

ततः · tataḥ — then

तैः · taiḥ — by them

अभ्यनुज्ञातः · abhyanujñātaḥ — permitted

पारणार्थम् · pāraṇārtham — for the sake of breaking the fast

उपाविशत् · upāviśat — sat down

विष्णुम् विधिवत् अभ्यर्च्य ब्राह्मणान् अभिपूज्य च ततः तैः अभ्यनुज्ञातः सन् पारणार्थम् उपाविशत्।

Lord Vishnu · having worshipped · according to rules · the brahmins · having honored · and · then · by them · permitted · for the sake of breaking the fast · sat down

The king's adherence to scriptural procedure (vidhi) and respect for the brahmin community underscores his humility and righteousness, which are central to his character.

At that moment, the divine sage Durvāsas himself arrived there. Seeing him, the king, in great haste, offered him arghya (water for the hands) and pādya (water for the feet).

tadā tatrāgataḥ sākṣāddurvāsā bhagavānmuniḥ|

taṃ dṛṣṭvā saṃbhramādrājā datvā'rghyaṃ pādyameva ca

तदा · tadā — at that time

तत्र · tatra — there

आगतः · āgataḥ — arrived

साक्षात् · sākṣāt — himself

दुर्वासाः · durvāsāḥ — Sage Durvasa

भगवान् · bhagavān — divine

मुनिः · muniḥ — sage

तम् · taṃ — him

दृष्ट्वा · dṛṣṭvā — having seen

संभ्रमात् · saṃbhramāt — with haste

राजा · rājā — the king

दत्वा · datvā — having offered

अर्घ्यम् · arghyam — water for hands

पाद्यम् · pādyam — water for feet

तदा तत्र साक्षात् भगवान् मुनिः दुर्वासाः आगतः। तम् दृष्ट्वा राजा संभ्रमात् अर्घ्यम् पाद्यम् च दत्वा।

at that time · there · arrived · himself · Sage Durvasa · divine · sage · him · having seen · with haste · the king · having offered · water for hands · water for feet

The sudden arrival of Durvasa introduces the central conflict of the chapter, testing the king's ability to balance conflicting dharmic duties.

With joined hands, he welcomed the great sage and requested him to partake in the pāraṇa meal. Accepting the king's request, the yogi went to the waters of the Yamunā to perform his daily rituals.

sāñjaliḥ svāgataṃ coktvā prārthayāmāsa pāraṇām |

aṅgīkṛtya mahārājaprārthanāṃ ca mahāmuniḥ |

kartuṃ svaniyamaṃ yogī yamunāsalilaṃ gataḥ

साञ्जलिः · sāñjaliḥ — with joined hands

स्वागतम् · svāgatam — welcome

उक्त्वा · uktvā — having said

प्रार्थयामास · prārthayāmāsa — requested

पारणाम् · pāraṇām — breaking the fast

अङ्गीकृत्य · aṅgīkṛtya — having accepted

महाराजप्रार्थनाम् · mahārājaprārthanām — the king's request

महामुनिः · mahāmuniḥ — the great sage

कर्तुम् · kartum — to perform

स्वनियमम् · svaniyamam — his own ritual

योगी · yogī — the yogi

यमुनासलिलम् · yamunāsalilam — the water of the Yamuna

गतः · gataḥ — went

साञ्जलिः स्वागतम् उक्त्वा पारणाम् प्रार्थयामास। महाराजप्रार्थनाम् अङ्गीकृत्य महामुनिः योगी स्वनियमम् कर्तुम् यमुनासलिलम् गतः।

with joined hands · welcome · having said · requested · breaking the fast · having accepted · the king's request · the great sage · to perform · his own ritual · the yogi · the water of the Yamuna · went

This verse highlights the king's extreme hospitality and the sage's acceptance, which sets the stage for the subsequent misunderstanding regarding the timing of the fast-breaking.

Considering the sin of transgressing the time for pāraṇa on one hand, and the sin of transgressing a brahmin on the other, the king, who knew dharma, performed pāraṇa by sipping water.

pāraṇātikrame doṣaṃ brāhmaṇātikrame tathā|

vicārya rājā dharmajñaścakāra jalapāraṇam

पारणतिक्रमे · pāraṇātikrame — in the transgression of the fast-breaking time

दोषम् · doṣam — sin

ब्राह्मणातिक्रमे · brāhmaṇātikrame — in the transgression against a brahmin

तथा · tathā — also

विचार्य · vicārya — having deliberated

राजा · rājā — the king

धर्मज्ञः · dharmajñaḥ — knower of dharma

चकार · cakāra — performed

जलपारणम् · jalapāraṇam — breaking the fast with water

पारणतिक्रमे दोषम् तथा ब्राह्मणातिक्रमे दोषम् विचार्य धर्मज्ञः राजा जलपारणम् चकार।

in the transgression of the fast-breaking time · sin · in the transgression against a brahmin · also · having deliberated · the king · knower of dharma · performed · breaking the fast with water

This verse illustrates the king's wisdom in resolving a dharmic dilemma, showing that he prioritizes the essence of duty over rigid external forms when faced with conflicting obligations.

Then Durvāsas, rising up, filled with baseless anger, approached Ambarīṣa and created a Kṛtyā (a malevolent spirit) against him.

tāvadutthāya durvāsāḥ vṛthā krodhasamanvitaḥ

ambarīṣamupāgatya tasmai kṛtyāṃ sasarja ha

तावत् · tāvat — then

उत्थाय · utthāya — having risen

दुर्वासाः · durvāsāḥ — Durvasa

वृथा · vṛthā — baseless

क्रोधसमन्वितः · krodhasamanvitaḥ — filled with anger

अम्बरीषम् · ambarīṣam — Ambarisha

उपागत्य · upāgatya — having approached

तस्मै · tasmai — against him

कृत्याम् · kṛtyām — a malevolent spirit

ससर्ज · sasarja — created

तावत् उत्थाय वृथा क्रोधसमन्वितः दुर्वासाः अम्बरीषम् उपागत्य तस्मै कृत्याम् ससर्ज।

then · having risen · Durvasa · baseless · filled with anger · Ambarisha · having approached · against him · a malevolent spirit · created

The sudden shift to the sage's anger highlights the volatility of the situation and introduces the supernatural element of the Kṛtyā, raising the stakes for the king.

The king, bowing at his feet and asking for forgiveness for his offense, begged the sage, whose eyes were agitated with anger, to perform the pāraṇa.

praṇamya caraṇau rājā svāparādhaṃ kṣamāpayan |

yayāce pāraṇaṃ kartuṃ krodhaparyākulekṣaṇam

प्रणम्य · praṇamya — having bowed

चरणौ · caraṇau — at the feet

राजा · rājā — the king

स्वापराधम् · svāparādham — his own offense

क्षमापयन् · kṣamāpayan — seeking forgiveness

ययाचे · yayāce — begged

पारणम् · pāraṇam — to break the fast

कर्तुम् · kartum — to do

क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणम् · krodhaparyākulekṣaṇam — the one whose eyes were agitated with anger

राजा चरणौ प्रणम्य स्वापराधम् क्षमापयन् क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणम् मुनिम् पारणम् कर्तुम् ययाचे।

having bowed · at the feet · the king · his own offense · seeking forgiveness · begged · to break the fast · to do · the one whose eyes were agitated with anger

The king's reaction—bowing and seeking forgiveness—reaffirms his status as a true devotee who remains humble even when unjustly attacked.

Then, Vishnu's discus, Sudarshana, manifested there. It instantly burned to ashes the Kṛtyā created by Durvāsas against the king.

āvirbhūtaṃ tadā tatra viṣṇucakraṃ sudarśanam |

dadāha kṛtyāṃ sahasā sṛṣṭāṃ durvāsasā nṛpe

आविर्भूतम् · āvirbhūtam — manifested

तदा · tadā — then

तत्र · tatra — there

विष्णुचक्रम् · viṣṇucakram — Vishnu's discus

सुदर्शनम् · sudarśanam — Sudarshana

ददाह · dadāha — burned

कृत्याम् · kṛtyām — the Kṛtyā

सहसा · sahasā — instantly

सृष्टाम् · sṛṣṭām — created

दुर्वाससा · durvāsasā — by Durvasa

नृपे · nṛpe — against the king

तदा तत्र विष्णुचक्रम् सुदर्शनम् आविर्भूतम्। तत् दुर्वाससा नृपे सृष्टाम् कृत्याम् सहसा ददाह।

manifested · then · there · Vishnu's discus · Sudarshana · burned · the Kṛtyā · instantly · created · by Durvasa · against the king

The manifestation of the Sudarshana Chakra serves as the turning point, demonstrating the Lord's immediate protection of His devotee.

Seeing that blazing discus, the divine sage ran in great agitation, here and there, out of fear for his life.

jājvalyamānaṃ taccakraṃ vilokya bhagavān ṛṣiḥ |

dudrāva prāṇabhītyaiva tatra tatra sasaṃbhramaḥ

जाज्वल्यमानम् · jājvalyamānam — blazing

तच्चक्रम् · taccakram — that discus

विलोक्य · vilokya — having seen

भगवान् · bhagavān — divine

ऋषिः · ṛṣiḥ — sage

दुद्राव · dudrāva — ran away

प्राणभीत्या · prāṇabhītyā — out of fear for life

एव · eva — indeed

तत्र · tatra — there

तत्र · tatra — there

ससंभ्रमः · sasaṃbhramaḥ — with agitation

जाज्वल्यमानम् तत् चक्रम् विलोक्य भगवान् ऋषिः प्राणभीत्या एव तत्र तत्र ससंभ्रमः दुद्राव।

blazing · that discus · having seen · divine · sage · ran away · out of fear for life · indeed · there · there · with agitation

The sage's flight highlights the overwhelming power of the divine weapon and the futility of opposing a true devotee of the Lord.

The great sage fled past Pātāla (the netherworld), the ocean, Mount Meru, Svarga (heaven), and the sky, and even beyond Satyaloka and Kailāsa.

pātālaṃ jaladhiṃ meruṃ svargamākāśameva ca |

satyalokaṃ ca kailāsamatikramya mahāmuniḥ

पातालम् · pātālam — the netherworld

जलधिम् · jaladhim — the ocean

मेरुम् · merum — Mount Meru

स्वर्गम् · svargam — heaven

आकाशम् · ākāśam — the sky

एव च · eva ca — and also

सत्यलोकम् · satyalokam — the realm of Brahma

कैलासम् · kailāsam — the abode of Shiva

अतिक्रम्य · atikramya — having crossed/fled past

महामुनिः · mahāmuniḥ — the great sage

महामुनिः पातालं जलधिं मेरुं स्वर्गम् आकाशम् एव च सत्यलोकं कैलासं च अतिक्रम्य (धावितवान्)।

the netherworld · the ocean · Mount Meru · heaven · the sky · and also · the realm of Brahma · the abode of Shiva · having crossed/fled past · the great sage

This verse illustrates the futility of seeking refuge elsewhere when one has offended a devotee of the Lord. It emphasizes the universal reach of the Sudarshana discus, which leaves the sage with no sanctuary in any of the higher or lower realms.

Rejected immediately by all the gods in each of these places, he took refuge in the ultimate protector, Lord Hari, in the Ocean of Milk.

tatra tatra suraiḥ sarvaiḥ sadya eva nirākṛtaḥ |

śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇaṃ lebhe kṣīrābdhau harimīśvaram

तत्र तत्र · tatra tatra — in each of those places

सुरैः सर्वैः · suraiḥ sarvaiḥ — by all the gods

सद्य एव · sadya eva — immediately

निराकृतः · nirākṛtaḥ — rejected

शरण्यम् · śaraṇyam — the ultimate protector

शरणम् · śaraṇam — refuge

लेभे · lebhe — he attained

क्षीराब्धौ · kṣīrābdhau — in the Ocean of Milk

हरिम् ईश्वरम् · harim īśvaram — Lord Hari, the Supreme Controller

तत्र तत्र सर्वैः सुरैः सद्य एव निराकृतः (सः) क्षीराब्धौ शरण्यं शरणं हरिम् ईश्वरं लेभे।

in each of those places · by all the gods · immediately · rejected · the ultimate protector · refuge · he attained · in the Ocean of Milk · Lord Hari, the Supreme Controller

The verse highlights the finality of the sage's predicament; even the gods, who are usually protectors, reject him because of his offense against a Vaishnava. This forces him to approach the Lord, who is the only true refuge.

Then the Lord, who is subservient to His devotees, speaking gentle words, mercifully consoled the terrified sage who had surrendered to Him.

tadā bhaktaparādhīno bhagavān mṛdubhāṣaṇaḥ |

sāntvayāmāsa bhītaṃ taṃ prapannaṃ kṛpayā munim

तदा · tadā — then

भक्तपराधीनः · bhaktaparādhīnaḥ — subservient to His devotees

भगवान् · bhagavān — the Lord

मृदुभाषणः · mṛdubhāṣaṇaḥ — speaking gentle words

सान्त्वयामास · sāntvayāmāsa — consoled

भीतम् · bhītam — terrified

तम् · tam — him

प्रपन्नम् · prapannam — who had surrendered

कृपया · kṛpayā — with mercy

मुनिम् · munim — the sage

तदा भक्तपराधीनः भगवान् मृदुभाषणः (सन्) कृपया प्रपन्नं भीतं तं मुनिं सान्त्वयामास।

then · subservient to His devotees · the Lord · speaking gentle words · consoled · terrified · him · who had surrendered · with mercy · the sage

This verse introduces the Lord's compassionate nature, specifically His 'bhakta-parādhīnatā' (subservience to devotees), which serves as the core theological point of this chapter.

The Lord said:

O Brahmin, I am subservient to My devotees; I have no independence. My devotees are indeed My masters; I am their servant forever.

śrībhagavānuvāca

ahaṃ bhaktaparādhīnaḥ svātantryaṃ na hi me dvija |

svāmino mama bhaktā hi teṣāṃ dāso'smi santatam

अहम् · aham — I

भक्तपराधीनः · bhaktaparādhīnaḥ — subservient to devotees

स्वातन्त्र्यम् · svātantryam — independence

न हि · na hi — certainly not

मे · me — mine

द्विज · dvija — O Brahmin

स्वामिनः · svāminaḥ — masters

मम भक्ताः · mama bhaktāḥ — My devotees

हि · hi — indeed

तेषाम् · teṣām — of them

दासः · dāsaḥ — servant

अस्मि · asmi — I am

सन्ततम् · santatam — always

द्विज, अहं भक्तपराधीनः (अस्मि), मे स्वातन्त्र्यं न हि (अस्ति)। मम भक्ताः हि स्वामिनः, तेषां दासः अहं सन्ततम् अस्मि।

I · subservient to devotees · independence · certainly not · mine · O Brahmin · masters · My devotees · indeed · of them · servant · I am · always

The Lord explicitly defines His relationship with His devotees, establishing that the devotee's position is higher than His own, which explains why He could not protect Durvāsas from the consequences of his offense.

I have no power to tolerate an offense against My devotees, O great sage. I do not even remember a hundred offenses committed against Me.

bhaktāparādhaṃ soḍhuṃ me śaktirna hi munīśvara

na smarāmyapakārāṇāṃ śataṃ mayi samarpitam

भक्तापराधम् · bhaktāparādham — offense against a devotee

सोढुम् · soḍhum — to tolerate

मे · me — my

शक्तिः · śaktiḥ — power

न हि · na hi — certainly not

मुनीश्वर · munīśvara — O lord of sages

न स्मरामि · na smarāmi — I do not remember

अपकाराणाम् · apakārāṇām — of offenses

शतम् · śatam — a hundred

मयि · mayi — against Me

समर्पितम् · samarpitam — committed/offered

मुनीश्वर, भक्तापराधं सोढुं मे शक्तिः न हि। मयि समर्पितम् अपकाराणां शतं (अपि) अहं न स्मरामि।

offense against a devotee · to tolerate · my · power · certainly not · O lord of sages · I do not remember · of offenses · a hundred · against Me · committed/offered

This verse emphasizes the Lord's extreme sensitivity toward offenses against His devotees, contrasting it with His indifference toward offenses committed against Himself.

Therefore, go and take refuge in that Vaishnava, Ambarīṣa. He will quell your suffering, for he is indeed of a tranquil heart.

tasmāttvamambarīṣaṃ taṃ śaraṇaṃ yāhi vaiṣṇavam |

śamayiṣyati te duḥkhaṃ praśāntahṛdayo hi saḥ

तस्मात् · tasmāt — therefore

त्वम् · tvam — you

अम्बरीषम् · ambarīṣam — Ambarīṣa

तम् · tam — that

शरणम् याहि · śaraṇam yāhi — take refuge

वैष्णवम् · vaiṣṇavam — the Vaishnava

शमयिष्यति · śamayiṣyati — he will quell

ते · te — your

दुःखम् · duḥkham — suffering

प्रशान्तहृदयः · praśāntahṛdayaḥ — of tranquil heart

हि · hi — indeed

सः · saḥ — he

तस्मात् त्वं तं वैष्णवम् अम्बरीषं शरणं याहि। सः ते दुःखं शमयिष्यति, हि सः प्रशान्तहृदयः (अस्ति)।

therefore · you · Ambarīṣa · that · take refuge · the Vaishnava · he will quell · your · suffering · of tranquil heart · indeed · he

The Lord directs the sage to the only person who can resolve the situation, reinforcing the idea that the devotee's mercy is the ultimate solution to all spiritual and material suffering.

Śrī Sadguru said:

Thus abandoned by the Lord, Durvāsas, afflicted with sorrow, returned to the earth and grasped the feet of Ambarīṣa.

śrīsadgururuvāca

evaṃ tyakto bhagavatā durvāsā duḥkhapīḍitaḥ |

ambarīṣasya caraṇau jagrāha bhuvamāgataḥ

एवम् · evam — thus

त्यक्तः · tyaktaḥ — abandoned

भगवता · bhagavatā — by the Lord

दुर्वासा · durvāsā — Durvāsas

दुःखपीडितः · duḥkhapīḍitaḥ — afflicted with sorrow

अम्बरीषस्य · ambarīṣasya — of Ambarīṣa

चरणौ · caraṇau — feet

जग्राह · jagrāha — grasped

भुवम् · bhuvam — to the earth

आगतः · āgataḥ — having returned

एवं भगवता त्यक्तः दुःखपीडितः दुर्वासा भुवम् आगतः (सन्) अम्बरीषस्य चरणौ जग्राह।

thus · abandoned · by the Lord · Durvāsas · afflicted with sorrow · of Ambarīṣa · feet · grasped · to the earth · having returned

This verse marks the turning point where the sage, humbled by the Lord's words, returns to the devotee, demonstrating the hierarchy of spiritual authority.

King Ambarīṣa, embarrassed by the touch of his feet, praised the Sudarshana discus for the welfare of Durvāsas.

ambarīṣo mahārājaḥ pādasparśavilajjitaḥ |

durvāsaso hitāyaiva tuṣṭāva ca sudarśanam

अम्बरीषः · ambarīṣaḥ — Ambarīṣa

महाराजः · mahārājaḥ — the great king

पादस्पर्शविलज्जितः · pādasparśavilajjitaḥ — embarrassed by the touch of feet

दुर्वाससः · durvāsasaḥ — of Durvāsas

हिताय · hitāya — for the welfare

एव · eva — only

तुष्टाव · tuṣṭāva — praised

च · ca — and

सुदर्शनम् · sudarśanam — the Sudarshana discus

महाराजः अम्बरीषः पादस्पर्शविलज्जितः (सन्) दुर्वाससः हिताय एव सुदर्शनं तुष्टाव।

Ambarīṣa · the great king · embarrassed by the touch of feet · of Durvāsas · for the welfare · only · praised · and · the Sudarshana discus

Ambarīṣa's reaction—feeling embarrassed by the sage touching his feet—demonstrates the true humility of a Vaishnava, who sees himself as the servant of all, even those who offended him.

Vishnu's discus immediately vanished from the assembly hall. Seeing this, the great sage praised the glory of the devotee.

antarhitaṃ viṣṇucakraṃ sadya eva sabhāntare

tad dṛṣṭvā bhaktamāhātmyaṃ ślāghate sma mahāmuniḥ

अन्तर्हितम् · antarhitam — vanished

विष्णुचक्रम् · viṣṇucakram — Vishnu's discus

सद्य एव · sadya eva — immediately

सभान्तरे · sabhāntare — in the assembly hall

तत् · tat — that

दृष्ट्वा · dṛṣṭvā — having seen

भक्तमाहात्म्यम् · bhaktamāhātmyam — the glory of the devotee

श्लाघते स्म · ślāghate sma — praised

महामुनिः · mahāmuniḥ — the great sage

सभान्तरे विष्णुचक्रं सद्य एव अन्तर्हितम्। तत् दृष्ट्वा महामुनिः भक्तमाहात्म्यं श्लाघते स्म।

vanished · Vishnu's discus · immediately · in the assembly hall · that · having seen · the glory of the devotee · praised · the great sage

The disappearance of the discus and the sage's subsequent praise of the devotee confirm the victory of the devotee's humility over the sage's pride.

Then, worshipping Durvāsas, the humble king, with hands joined, begged him again and again, saying, "Forgive my offense."

durvāsasamathābhyarcya vinīto vihitāñjaliḥ|

aparādhaṃ kṣamasveti yayāce ca punaḥ punaḥ

दुर्वाससम् · durvāsasam — Durvāsas

अथ · atha — then

अभ्यर्च्य · abhyarcya — having worshipped

विनीतः · vinītaḥ — humble

विहिताञ्जलिः · vihitāñjaliḥ — with joined hands

अपराधम् · aparādham — offense

क्षमस्व · kṣamasva — forgive

इति · iti — thus

ययाचे · yayāce — begged

पुनः पुनः · punaḥ punaḥ — again and again

अथ विनीतः विहिताञ्जलिः (अम्बरीषः) दुर्वाससम् अभ्यर्च्य 'अपराधं क्षमस्व' इति पुनः पुनः ययाचे।

Durvāsas · then · having worshipped · humble · with joined hands · offense · forgive · thus · begged · again and again

The king's persistent request for forgiveness, despite being the victim, underscores the Vaishnava virtue of seeing one's own faults even when wronged by others.

Thereafter, when Durvāsas had departed, the supreme devotee, the righteous one, ruled his kingdom, ever absorbed in meditation on Vishnu.

tato durvāsasi gate mahābhāgavatottamaḥ |

cakāra rājyaṃ dharmātmā viṣṇudhyānaparāyaṇaḥ

ततः · tataḥ — thereafter

दुर्वाससि · durvāsasi — when Durvasa

गते · gate — had departed

महाभागवतोत्तमः · mahābhāgavatottamaḥ — the best of the great devotees

चकार · cakāra — performed/ruled

राज्यम् · rājyam — the kingdom

धर्मात्मा · dharmātmā — the righteous soul

विष्णुध्यानपरायणः · viṣṇudhyānaparāyaṇaḥ — absorbed in meditation on Vishnu

ततः दुर्वाससि गते सति, महाभागवतोत्तमः धर्मात्मा सः राजा राज्यं चकार। सः विष्णुध्यानपरायणः आसीत्।

thereafter · when Durvasa · had departed · the best of the great devotees · performed/ruled · the kingdom · the righteous soul · absorbed in meditation on Vishnu

This verse marks the transition from the conflict with Durvāsas to the king's return to his duties, emphasizing that even while ruling, his mind remained fixed on the Lord. It establishes his character as a model of a householder who balances worldly responsibility with spiritual absorption.

Then Ambarīṣa, entrusting his kingdom to his son, firm in his devotion along with his wife, once again reached Vidvannagarī (Vidvadgoshthipuram) and performed intense penance daily.

athāmbarīṣastanaye svarājyaṃ

nidhāya patnyā saha bhaktiniṣṭhaḥ|

punaśca vidvannagarīmavāpya

cakāra tīvraṃ tapa eva nityam

अथ · atha — then

अम्बरीषः · ambarīṣaḥ — Ambarisha

तनये · tanaye — to his son

स्वराज्यम् · svarājyam — his own kingdom

निधाय · nidhāya — having entrusted

पत्न्या सह · patnyā saha — along with his wife

भक्तिनिष्ठः · bhaktiniṣṭhaḥ — firm in devotion

पुनः · punaḥ — again

विद्वन्नगरीम् · vidvannagarīm — Vidvannagari

अवाप्य · avāpya — having reached

चकार · cakāra — performed

तीव्रं तपः · tīvraṃ tapaḥ — intense penance

नित्यम् · nityam — daily

अथ अम्बरीषः तनये स्वराज्यं निधाय, पत्न्या सह भक्तिनिष्ठः सन्, पुनः विद्वन्नगरीम् अवाप्य नित्यं तीव्रं तपः चकार।

then · Ambarisha · to his son · his own kingdom · having entrusted · along with his wife · firm in devotion · again · Vidvannagari · having reached · performed · intense penance · daily

This verse describes the king's renunciation of worldly power in favor of spiritual pursuit, setting the stage for his final attainment at Vidvadgoshthipuram. It highlights the transition from the life of a king to that of a forest-dwelling ascetic.

Pleased with him, the merciful Lord Murāri granted him His own divine vision. Right there, the king, along with his wife who was devoted to the vows of Vishnu, attained Vaikuṇṭha.

tasya prasanno bhagavānmurāri-

rdadau kṛpālurnijadarśanaṃ ca |

tatraiva vaikuṇṭhamavāpa rājā

patnyā ca viṣṇuvrataniṣṭhayā saḥ

तस्य · tasya — to him

प्रसन्नः · prasannaḥ — pleased

भगवान् · bhagavān — the Lord

मुरारिः · murāriḥ — Murari

ददौ · dadau — gave

निजदर्शनम् · nijadarśanam — His own vision

तत्रैव · tatraiva — right there

वैकुण्ठम् · vaikuṇṭham — Vaikuntha

अवाप · avāpa — attained

राजा · rājā — the king

पत्न्या · patnyā — with his wife

विष्णुव्रतनिष्ठया · viṣṇuvrataniṣṭhayā — devoted to Vishnu's vows

तस्य प्रसन्नः कृपालुः भगवान् मुरारिः निजदर्शनं ददौ। राजा विष्णुव्रतनिष्ठया पत्न्या सह तत्रैव वैकुण्ठम् अवाप।

to him · pleased · the Lord · Murari · gave · His own vision · right there · Vaikuntha · attained · the king · with his wife · devoted to Vishnu's vows

This verse records the culmination of Ambarīṣa's spiritual journey, where his intense devotion leads to the direct vision of the Lord and the ultimate liberation of both himself and his wife. It serves as the spiritual climax of the chapter.

By worshipping the Vishnu established by Ambarīṣa in Vidvadgoshthipuram, one will surely attain the supreme abode of that Vishnu.

vidvadgoṣṭhīpure viṣṇumambarīṣapratiṣṭhitam|

ārādhya prāpnuyānnūnaṃ tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padam

विद्वद्गोष्ठीपुरे · vidvadgoṣṭhīpure — in Vidvadgoshthipura

विष्णुम् · viṣṇum — Vishnu

अम्बरीषप्रतिष्ठितम् · ambarīṣapratiṣṭhitam — established by Ambarisha

आराध्य · ārādhya — having worshipped

प्राप्नुयात् · prāpnuyāt — one may attain

नूनम् · nūnam — surely

तद्विष्णोः · tadviṣṇoḥ — of that Vishnu

परमं पदम् · paramaṃ padam — the supreme abode

विद्वद्गोष्ठीपुरे अम्बरीषप्रतिष्ठितं विष्णुम् आराध्य, नरः नूनं तद्विष्णोः परमं पदं प्राप्नुयात्।

in Vidvadgoshthipura · Vishnu · established by Ambarisha · having worshipped · one may attain · surely · of that Vishnu · the supreme abode

This verse transitions from the historical narrative to the present-day glory of the site, establishing Vidvadgoshthipuram as a place of pilgrimage where the fruits of Ambarīṣa's devotion are accessible to all.

By hearing the story of Ambarīṣa in Vidvadgoshthipuram, a person is freed from the effects of black magic (kṛtyā) and sorcery, and from dilemmas of dharma.

**Thus ends the thirty-first chapter, named 'The Glory of Vidvadgoshthipuram', in the Fifth Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.**

kṛtyābhicārayogācca mucyate dharmasaṅkaṭāt |

śrutvāmbarīṣacaritaṃ vidvadgoṣṭhīpure naraḥ

कृत्याभिचारयोगात् · kṛtyābhicārayogāt — from black magic and sorcery

मुच्यते · mucyate — is freed

धर्मसङ्कटात् · dharmasaṅkaṭāt — from dilemmas of dharma

श्रुत्वा · śrutvā — having heard

अम्बरीषचरितम् · ambarīṣacaritaṃ — the story of Ambarisha

विद्वद्गोष्ठीपुरे · vidvadgoṣṭhīpure — in Vidvadgoshthipura

नरः · naraḥ — a person

विद्वद्गोष्ठीपुरे अम्बरीषचरितं श्रुत्वा नरः कृत्याभिचारयोगात् धर्मसङ्कटाच्च मुच्यते।

from black magic and sorcery · is freed · from dilemmas of dharma · having heard · the story of Ambarisha · in Vidvadgoshthipura · a person

This final verse serves as the phala-shruti (fruit of hearing), promising protection from spiritual and material obstacles, thereby cementing the sanctity and efficacy of the holy site of Vidvadgoshthipuram.