Srimad Bhagavatam – day 502
The citizens of his land would eternally listen or glorify the stories of Lord Srihari. Considering even the celebrated heaven as insignificant, these citizens would blissfully be immersed in their devotion towards Srihari.
Such was the sanctity of his surroundings! Irrespective of whether he was engaged in Yagna or in puja or sitting silently, his citizens who were soaked in devotion would surround him. These citizens were able to perceive Lord Srihari, the lord who bestows liberation, as their inner Self. In that bliss even the glory of heaven appeared insignificant to them. The worldly comforts appeared worthless. Even the rarest of the rare comforts, which are beyond the reach of even accomplished masters, could not attract their attention.
Ambarīṣa diligently abided by his swadharma (rules of righteousness applicable to him) and with his unflinching devotion pleased the Supreme Lord Srihari. Gradually he distanced himself from every form of material and sensual comforts. He had the firm knowledge that his house, wife, children, relatives, his mighty elephants, chariots, horses, army, the inexhaustible stock of precious gems, ornaments, weapons and clothing as well as his unending rows of treasury chests were purely illusory in existence. As such he developed dispassion towards them all. Although he believed that the Lord pervaded through all his material assets, mentally he was averse to them. Pleased with his limitless love and unsurpassed devotion, Lord Srihari gifted him with his discus”.
Swamiji explains: Have we ever come across such a story? Such was his unflinching, uncontaminated devotion and his dispassion, that the Lord gifted away his discus to him. The Lord was pleased with the way in which he progressed in his devotion. Ambarīṣa saw the Lord pervading every object in this creation. Within himself he saw the Lord. Everywhere he saw, he could see only His existence. Moreover he caused such divine transformation in all those who lived around him.
“The discus protects ardent devotees while instilling fear in the hearts of the enemies. Ambarīṣā’s wife, who was also swimming in the ocean of devotion, ranked equal to him in every aspect. Together with this chaste wife, Ambarīṣa worshipped Lord Srihari for an entire year diligently adhering to the ritual known as Dwadasi vrata”.
Mouna vrata and Dwadasi vrata are very rare, sacred rituals taken up for a period of one year.
“Dwadasi vrata is of utmost significance. It was the month of Kartika (which comes around November) when the ritual which he had been diligently following for a year was coming to an end. The king fasted on the last three days. On Dwadasi (twelfth day of the fortnight) he bathed in the pure waters of River Yamuna and worshipped Lord Srihari in the Madhuvana by strictly following the royal pattabhisheka ceremony for Him.
Fixing his mind solely upon Lord Srihari, Ambarīṣa with utmost devotion offered clothes, ornaments, sandal paste, garlands, water to wash hands, drinking water and other ingredients loved by the Lord. Thereafter with complete devotion he worshipped the learned Vedic Brahmin scholars, who were omniscient, who were fully accomplished saints and who were free from all desires. He honoured them all. He then provided sumptuous, tasty and healthy food to all these Brahmins. He then gave to these Vedic scholars sixty crore healthy and gentle cows along with their calves and made arrangements for them to be sent to their homes”.
Swamiji explains: Most people differentiate between objects purchased for self consumption and those purchased for gifting away in charity to others. A sea difference exists in the quality of items purchased. When a cow is to be given in charity, they procure a lean, emaciated cow that is struggling to remain alive. They then proudly claim that they have completed go-dana (gifting cow in charity). There are some who offer ten rupees and claim the credit for completing go-danam. However such stinginess was not seen in people who lived in those eons. Here the king fed them to a grand, sumptuous meal.
The King gave away in charity, healthy milk-yielding cows along with their calf. Moreover he ensured that the cows were safely sent to the doorstep of the Vedic scholars who had received them from him. We gift cows we expect the person who has accepted charity to fetch his own taxi and to bear the cost of taking it home. He struggles in the process. Likewise if we decide to give a bag of rice in charity we cannot expect the person who has accepted the charity to make transport arrangement needed for taking it home. We should ensure that it is delivered to his doorstep. This is the correct procedure. Only then it truly falls under the category called charity. Ambarīṣa ensured that the cows along with their calves safely arrived at the residences of the Vedic scholars.
“The horns of these cows were covered with glittering golden plates. Their hooves were covered with silver plates”.
Swamiji explains: Such was the elegant, meticulous method in which he performed go-dana. He laced the horns of 60 crore cows with beautiful golden covering and their hoofs with silver plates. He even covered their bodies with golden cloth.
“He covered the cows with golden cloth. Golden bells delicately hung around their necks”.
Swamiji explains: This is the beauty of giving a cow in charity. When the mother cow glows with all these ornamentations, all the Devatas will be clearly visible in it. He gave away 60 crore cows.
“He also gave away golden and silver vessels necessary for milking the cows. The Vedic Brahmin scholars received the dakshina from him. Fully satisfied, they blessed the king. They permitted the King to break his fast as his vow had satisfactorily concluded”.
Krishnaya namah