Shloka 29
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
आरिराधयिषु: कृष्णं महिष्या तुल्यशीलया । युक्त: सांवत्सरं वीरो दधार द्वादशीव्रतम् ॥ २९ ॥
ārirādhayiṣuḥ kṛṣṇaṁ mahiṣyā tulya-śīlayā yuktaḥ sāṁvatsaraṁ vīro dadhāra dvādaśī-vratam
To worship Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, together with his queen of equal virtue, observed the Ekādaśī‑Dvādaśī vow for one full year.
To observe Ekādaśī-vrata and Dvādaśī-vrata means to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those interested in advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness must observe Ekādaśī-vrata regularly. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa’s queen was equally as qualified as the King. Therefore it was possible for Mahārāja Ambarīṣa to engage his life in household affairs. In this regard, the word tulya-śīlayā is very significant. Unless a wife is equally as qualified as her husband, household affairs are very difficult to continue. Cāṇakya Paṇḍita advises that a person in such a situation should immediately give up household life and become a vānaprastha or sannyāsī:
FAQs
This verse states that Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, intent on worshiping Kṛṣṇa, maintained the Dvādaśī vow for a full year, showing that steady devotional vows can be a focused means of Kṛṣṇa-bhakti.
He did so with the specific intention of worshiping Lord Kṛṣṇa wholeheartedly and consistently, demonstrating disciplined devotion rather than occasional practice.
By adopting regular, sustainable spiritual discipline—such as periodic fasting or regulated simplicity—paired with remembrance and worship of Kṛṣṇa, one can strengthen focus, self-control, and devotional steadiness.