Shloka 45
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
यो मामतिथिमायातमातिथ्येन निमन्त्र्य च । अदत्त्वा भुक्तवांस्तस्य सद्यस्ते दर्शये फलम् ॥ ४५ ॥
yo mām atithim āyātam ātithyena nimantrya ca adattvā bhuktavāṁs tasya sadyas te darśaye phalam
Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, you invited me as a guest to dine, yet without feeding me you ate first yourself. For this misconduct I shall at once show you its fruit as punishment.
A devotee cannot be defeated by a so-called mystic yogī. This will be proved by the failure of Durvāsā Muni’s endeavor to chastise Mahārāja Ambarīṣa. Harāv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guṇāḥ ( Bhāg. 5.18.12 ). One who is not a pure devotee of the Supreme Lord has no good qualifications, however great a mystic, philosopher or fruitive worker he may be. Only a devotee emerges victorious in all circumstances, as will be shown in this incident involving the rivalry between Durvāsā and Mahārāja Ambarīṣa.
FAQs
This verse warns that inviting a guest and then eating without first feeding the guest is a breach of dharma, and it brings immediate negative consequences.
It is spoken to highlight that dharma must be honored in dealings with guests and saints; in this narrative, the divine protection around Ambarīṣa exposes the karmic result of improper conduct.
If you invite someone, honor them first—serve them properly, keep your word, and avoid self-priority in a situation where you have accepted responsibility to host.