Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 16
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
श्रीशुक उवाच अम्बरीषो महाभाग: सप्तद्वीपवतीं महीम् । अव्ययां च श्रियं लब्ध्वा विभवं चातुलं भुवि ॥ १५ ॥ मेनेऽतिदुर्लभं पुंसां सर्वं तत् स्वप्नसंस्तुतम् । विद्वान् विभवनिर्वाणं तमो विशति यत् पुमान् ॥ १६ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca ambarīṣo mahā-bhāgaḥ sapta-dvīpavatīṁ mahīm avyayāṁ ca śriyaṁ labdhvā vibhavaṁ cātulaṁ bhuvi
シュカデーヴァは語った。最も幸運なるマハーラージャ・アンバリーシャは、七つの島々から成る全地の統治と、尽きることなき無量の繁栄を得た。だが彼は、それらが物質に属し、夢のようにやがて滅びると知っていたため、少しも執着しなかった。また、奉愛なき者はそのような富を得るほど、物質自然の闇（タマス）へといよいよ沈むことを悟っていた。
For a devotee material opulence is insignificant, whereas for a nondevotee material opulence is the cause of increasing bondage, for a devotee knows that anything material is temporary, whereas a nondevotee regards the temporary so-called happiness as everything and forgets the path of self-realization. Thus for the nondevotee material opulence is a disqualification for spiritual advancement.
FAQs
This verse shows that even vast sovereignty and inexhaustible prosperity can come to a devotee, yet such gifts are presented as external—meant to be used in service rather than for pride.
Because he was blessed with extraordinary worldly resources—rule over the earth and great opulence—which, in the narrative, become instruments for devotion and righteousness.
Treat success as a responsibility: use resources ethically, support dharma, and keep devotion central rather than letting status become the goal.