Shloka 27
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
गृहेषु दारेषु सुतेषु बन्धुषु द्विपोत्तमस्यन्दनवाजिवस्तुषु । अक्षय्यरत्नाभरणाम्बरादि- ष्वनन्तकोशेष्वकरोदसन्मतिम् ॥ २७ ॥
gṛheṣu dāreṣu suteṣu bandhuṣu dvipottama-syandana-vāji-vastuṣu akṣayya-ratnābharaṇāmbarādiṣv ananta-kośeṣv akarod asan-matim
Mahārāja Ambarīṣa gave up all attachment to home and household affairs, to wife, children, friends and relatives; to the finest elephants, splendid chariots, carts and horses; to inexhaustible jewels, ornaments, garments, and an endless treasury—seeing all as temporary and material.
Anāsaktasya viṣayān yathārham upayuñjataḥ. Material possessions can be accepted as far as they can be used in devotional service. Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam. Ānukūlyasya saṅkalpaḥ prātikūlyasya varjanam. In preaching, many things considered material are needed. A devotee should not have any attachment for such material involvements as house, wife, children, friends and cars. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, for example, had all such things, but he was not attached to them. This is the effect of bhakti-yoga. Bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir anyatra ca ( Bhāg. 11.2.42 ). One who is advanced in devotional service has no attachment for material things for sense enjoyment, but for preaching, to spread the glories of the Lord, he accepts such things without attachment. Anāsaktasya viṣayān yathārham upayuñjataḥ. Everything can be used to the extent that it can be engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
FAQs
This verse states that a great devotee like Mahārāja Ambarīṣa does not let the mind become absorbed in home, family, status symbols, or even vast treasures; he remains inwardly detached.
To show that his renunciation was not due to lack of resources—he had abundant opulence, yet he refused to develop asat-mati (material fixation), proving the strength of his devotion.
Keep responsibilities, but reduce mental clinging: treat assets and relationships as sacred trusts, and regularly redirect attention toward devotion, service, and remembrance of the Lord rather than constant acquisition and prestige.