Shloka 40
ब्राह्मणातिक्रमे दोषो द्वादश्यां यदपारणे । यत् कृत्वा साधु मे भूयादधर्मो वा न मां स्पृशेत् ॥ ३९ ॥ अम्भसा केवलेनाथ करिष्ये व्रतपारणम् । आहुरब्भक्षणं विप्रा ह्यशितं नाशितं च तत् ॥ ४० ॥
brāhmaṇātikrame doṣo dvādaśyāṁ yad apāraṇe yat kṛtvā sādhu me bhūyād adharmo vā na māṁ spṛśet
I shall perform the pāraṇa with water alone, for the vipras declare that drinking water is accepted as both eating and not eating.
When Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, in his dilemma, consulted the brāhmaṇas about whether he should break the fast or wait for Durvāsā Muni, apparently they could not give a definite answer about what to do. A Vaiṣṇava, however, is the most intelligent personality. Therefore Mahārāja Ambarīṣa himself decided, in the presence of the brāhmaṇas, that he would drink a little water, for this would confirm that the fast was broken but would not transgress the laws for receiving a brāhmaṇa. In the Vedas it is said, apo ’śnāti tan naivāśitaṁ naivānaśitam. This Vedic injunction declares that the drinking of water may be accepted as eating or as not eating. Sometimes in our practical experience we see that some political leader adhering to satyāgraha will not eat but will drink water. Considering that drinking water would not be eating, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa decided to act in this way.
FAQs
This verse shows that pāraṇa on Dvādaśī is a dharmic requirement; neglecting it is considered a fault, so one should complete vows properly and on time.
He faced a conflict between two duties—honoring brāhmaṇas and completing Dvādaśī pāraṇa—so he sought a solution that would keep both dharma and devotional integrity intact.
When duties conflict, seek a principled middle path—respect saints/teachers, follow commitments carefully, and choose an action that minimizes harm and preserves spiritual sincerity.