Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 9: Liberation | Chapter 4: Ambarīsha Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā Muni |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 9.4.39-40
brāhmanātikrame dosho
ambhasā kevalenātha
āhur ab-bhakshanam viprā
SYNONYMS
brāhmana-atikrame — in surpassing the rules of respect to the brāhmanas; doshah — there is a fault; dvādaśyām — on the Dvādaśī day; yat — because; apārane — in not breaking the fast in due time; yat kritvā — after doing which action; sādhu — what is auspicious; me — unto me; bhūyāt — may so become; adharmah — what is irreligious; vā — either; na — not; mām — unto me; spriśet — may touch; ambhasā — by water; kevalena — only; atha — therefore; karishye — I shall execute; vrata-pāranam — the completion of the vow; āhuh — said; ap-bhakshanam — drinking water; viprāh — O brāhmanas; hi — indeed; aśitam — eating; na aśitam ca — as well as not eating; tat — such an action.
TRANSLATION
The King said: "To transgress the laws of respectful behavior toward the brāhmanas is certainly a great offense. On the other hand, if one does not observe the breaking of the fast within the time of Dvādaśī, there is a flaw in one's observance of the vow. Therefore, O brāhmanas, if you think that it will be auspicious and not irreligious, I shall break the fast by drinking water." In this way, after consulting with the brāhmanas, the King reached this decision, for according to brahminical opinion, drinking water may be accepted as eating and also as not eating.
PURPORT
When Mahārāja Ambarīsha, in his dilemma, consulted the brāhmanas about whether he should break the fast or wait for Durvāsā Muni, apparently they could not give a definite answer about what to do. A Vaishnava, however, is the most intelligent personality. Therefore Mahārāja Ambarīsha himself decided, in the presence of the brāhmanas, that he would drink a little water, for this would confirm that the fast was broken but would not transgress the laws for receiving a brāhmana. In the Vedas it is said, apo 'śnāti tan naivāśitam naivānaśitam. This Vedic injunction declares that the drinking of water may be accepted as eating or as not eating. Sometimes in our practical experience we see that some political leader adhering to satyāgraha will not eat but will drink water. Considering that drinking water would not be eating, Mahārāja Ambarīsha decided to act in this way.
Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness