Illustrations : Smt. Brundha Aravind.
The observance of Ekadashi, along with Krishnashtami and Chaturmasya is very important for pursuit of God-realisation. The importance of Ekadashi vrata is narrated through the story of King Ambareesha in Srimad Bhagavata. In addition to highlighting the need to observe Ekadashi, this story also has another important message. As the story goes, to ensure that the vrata was concluded properly, considering the delay in the return of Sage Durvasa, Ambareesha consumed a sip of water to abide by the rule of vrata. Learning about this, Sage Durvasa became furious and created a demoness to kill the king. However, due to his ardent devotion, Ambareesha had earned the grace of Lord Sri Hari, because of which the Lord’s disc – Sudarshana – came to his rescue. Having annihilated the demoness, Sudarshana chased Sage Durvasa. Neither Lord Brahma nor Lord Rudra could save Durvasa from the disc. Therefore, the Sage surrendered to Lord Sri Hari Himself. However, the Omnipotent Lord, without offering refuge, asked Durvasa to apologize to Ambareesha.
Sage Durvasa, an incarnation of Lord Rudra, by virtue of his penance, inherent ability and devotion, holds a very high rank when compared to King Ambareesha. However, by trying to inflict trouble to another Haribhakta (devotee of Lord Sri Hari), he was denied refuge by the Lord Himself. Now, a question arises: In the process of upholding one of His devotees (Ambareesha), did the Lord forsake another one (Sage Durvasa)? Wasn’t surrendering to the Lord Himself sufficient for Sage Durvasa to earn His grace?
Here, it must be considered that the all-merciful Lord Sri Hari wanted to absolve Sage Durvasa from the sin of trying to inflict harm to one of His devotees. Had the Lord Himself come to the rescue of Durvasa, the guilt of having attempted to harm a Haribhakta could have lingered in Durvasa’s mind forever. Such guilt can be detrimental on the path of spiritual elevation and can deviate one’s mind from keeping it fixated upon the lotus feet of the Lord. Although Sage Durvasa was of a higher rank, he apologized to Ambareesha, which consequently pacified the Lord’s Sudarshana.
A similar instance can be seen in the life history of Sri Jagannathadasa. Before becoming a Haridasa, Sri Jagannathadasa was known as Sri Srinivasacharya. He was a great Sanskrit scholar. Unfortunately, his learning had also brought him disregard for his contemporary Haridasas who composed their works in Kannada. Once, when invited by Sri Vijayadasa for partaking in a feast, Srinivasacharya gave a false excuse of having a stomach ache, to avoid having to consume food with the Haridasas. This act brought upon him a sin so grave that his lie turned into a reality. Srinivasacharya developed intense stomach ache, which worsened as the days passed. Seeking relief from the pain, he served Lord Srinivasa and Lord Mukhyaprana and finally reached Mantralaya to serve Sri Guru Raghavendra. As his prayers were still not answered, unable to bear the intense pain anymore, Srinivasacharya decided to end his life. However, the merciful Guru Raghavendra appeared in his dream and directed him to apologize to Sri Vijayadasa, whom Srinivasacharya had looked down upon. Srinivasacharya did as he was advised and remedied his sins by the grace of Sri Vijayadasa, which eventually relieved him of his pain.
With such examples, it can be seen that a true devotee of the Lord would get over his ego and take appropriate corrective steps to to achieve relief from sins. This can be contrasted with the ill-minded Duryodhana, who did not pay any heed to the advice of noble people asking him to give up his wrong deeds. Through deceitful means, he claimed control over the kingdom that rightfully belonged to the Pandavas. He pretentiously performed Poundarika yaga, with the sole intention of showcasing his wealth. Not once did he apologize for his sins to either Lord Sri Krishna or the Pandavas. He eventually met an end fit for his evildoings.
In the present day, we can see several people following the path of Duryodhana. They acquire money through bribery, embezzlement, tax evasion, corruption and what not and make generous offerings at temples and religious places with their ill-gotten wealth. Sri Harikathamruthasara aptly refers to such people as
“Madyabhāṇḍava dēvanadiyoḷagaddi toḷeyalu nityadali pariśud’dhavāhude endigādaru”
which means no matter how many times an alcohol-filled vessel is cleaned by dipping it in the holy waters of the river Ganga, the vessel can never be sanctified. By comparing such sinners to an alcohol-filled vessel, it is implied that their acts of generosity or displays of devotion are just futile exercises, which would never please the Lord. It must be noted that merely offering money in collection boxes (hundi) at temples cannot absolve anybody of their sins; a fitting atonement is very essential.
Rectifying one’s mistake at its source and apologizing to the person to whom the pain was inflicted are vital to clean the conscience. Without this, any other act to please the Lord would be futile just like expecting relief from a soothing balm applied elsewhere other than on the wound. One’s status should not be considered a barrier for taking corrective steps. The person in front of you may appear to be of a lesser stature but might be dearer to the Lord, you never know!!
