King Ambrish observed a three-day fast to worship Vishnu.
Before breaking it, he invited sages and Brahmins for a feast.
Sage Durvasa also came. Durvasa said, "I will eat only after
taking a bath in the river." All the guests waited for Durvasa. But
he took a long time and it was almost noon. The Brahmins told Ambrish that
if he didn't break his fast before noon, it would be a sin. Ambrish said, "If I eat before Durvasa, he will feel insulted." The
Brahmins suggested, "Have water to break the fast now and you can
have food when Durvasa returns. This would save you from both sinning and
insulting Durvasa."
Just as Ambarish was about to drink water, Durvasa returned. In anger
he shouted, "How dare you break you fast without me?" Durvasa
threw a chakra towards. Ambarish went to Vishnu for help. Vishnu sent out
his chakra. It destroyed Durvasa's chakra and started chasing him.
Durvasa was terrified and ran over hills and valleys, but the chakra
continued to follow him. He then went to Shiva who asked him to go to
Vishnu. But Vishnu said, "You have insulted my devotee. Only he
can forgive you." Finally Durvasa went to Ambarish and begged for
his life. Ambarish prayed to Vishnu and the chakra immediately
disappeared.
Ambarish told Durvasa that it was Vishnu's love for his devotee that
had given him the power to do that. |