Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, 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
Wahai Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, engkau menjemputku sebagai tetamu untuk makan, namun tanpa memberiku terlebih dahulu engkau sendiri makan dulu. Kerana kelakuan ini, akan kutunjukkan segera akibatnya sebagai hukuman.
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.