Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 35
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
गवां रुक्मविषाणीनां रूप्याङ्घ्रीणां सुवाससाम् । पय:शीलवयोरूपवत्सोपस्करसम्पदाम् ॥ ३३ ॥ प्राहिणोत् साधुविप्रेभ्यो गृहेषु न्यर्बुदानि षट् । भोजयित्वा द्विजानग्रे स्वाद्वन्नं गुणवत्तमम् ॥ ३४ ॥ लब्धकामैरनुज्ञात: पारणायोपचक्रमे । तस्य तर्ह्यतिथि: साक्षाद् दुर्वास भगवानभूत् ॥ ३५ ॥
gavāṁ rukma-viṣāṇīnāṁ rūpyāṅghrīṇāṁ suvāsasām payaḥśīla-vayo-rūpa- vatsopaskara-sampadām
Sesudah itu Mahārāja Ambarīṣa memuaskan semua tamu yang datang ke rumahnya, terutama para brāhmaṇa yang suci. Ia bersedekah enam puluh krore sapi yang bertanduk berlapis emas dan berkuku berlapis perak; semuanya berhias kain yang indah, ambingnya penuh susu, berwatak lembut, muda dan elok, serta disertai anak-anaknya. Setelah itu ia menjamu para brāhmaṇa dengan hidangan terbaik; ketika mereka puas dan mengizinkan, ia hendak melakukan pāraṇa untuk mengakhiri puasa Ekādaśī, namun tepat saat itu Durvāsā Muni muncul sebagai tamu tanpa undangan.
FAQs
This passage shows Ambarīṣa Mahārāja distributing vast gifts—especially cows with full provisions—to saintly brāhmaṇas, emphasizing dāna as a dharmic act performed with quality, abundance, and respect.
The verse marks a pivotal moment in the narrative: just as the king begins pāraṇa after receiving brāhmaṇas’ permission, Durvāsā arrives as an unexpected guest, setting up a test of dharma—balancing atithi-sevā with strict vow observance.
Offer your best—time, food, resources—with humility to saints, teachers, and guests; complete duties conscientiously; and be prepared for sudden “tests” where courtesy and spiritual discipline must be harmonized.