अम्बरीष की कथा

Narada said O Srinjaya, we heard that Nabhaga's son Ambarisha, who, single-handed, fought a thousand times against thousand kings, was also carried away by Death.

He simultaneously attacked his enemies who desired to obtain victory over him, who were accomplished in fighting with weapons and who had assaulted him with fierce yells.

Subduing them with his prowess and by the strength of his weapons, he cut-off their umbrellas, weapons, standards and chariots and deprived them of their lives. Thus he relieved himself of all his anxieties.

Then desirous of saving their lives, those defeated king, putting off their coats of mail implored the mercy of that compassionate monarch and sought his protection saying, “We surrender ourselves."

Thus having brought them under his control and having conquered this world, he celebrated a hundred desirable sacrifices, in accordance with the ordinances of the Shastras, O sinless one.

At those sacrifices of his, people partook of edibles possessed of all delicate qualities. Therefore most of the Brahmanas were greatly gratified and were most excellently worshipped.

Sweetmeat, Purikas, Pupas, Saskulis of excellent taste and large size, Karambhas, Prithumridikas and various kinds of wellprepared edibles, various sorts of Supas, Maireyas, Pupas, Ragakhandavas and diverse king of confectionery, well-dressed, delicate and savoury and clarified butter and honey and milk and water and tasteful curds and fruits and esculent roots-these things were there eaten by the regenerate castes.

And men who were addicted to drink wines, drank, in proper time, various kinds of intoxicating drinks, for the sake of the pleasures they produced and then sang and played upon their musical instruments.

Some perfectly toxicated sang songs and were greatly delighted; and some reeled on the ground; some applauded the son of Nabhaga in panegyrics and some danced in thousands.

In those sacrifices, Ambarisha gave as gifts the kingdoms of hundreds and thousands of kings to the ten million priests engaged in his sacrifice.

Having celebrated diverse sacrifices the king gave unto the Brahmanas as sacrificial presents numerous princes and kings whose coronal locks had been purified by the sacred bath, all furnished with golden armours, all having white umbrellas held over their heads, all mounted on golden chariots, vested in superb garments and having large retinues and all bearing their scepters and possessing their treasuries. 'None amongst the men of olden times did, nor those to come will do.'

What king Ambarisha, profuse in his sacrificial present's has done. Even thus did the mighty sages, gratified with him, applauded him.

O Srinjaya, when even such a king who was superior in respect of the four cardinal virtues to you and consequently to your son, had to undergo death, you should not lament for your son who performed no sacrifices and made no sacrificial gifts, saying, 'O Shvaitya.'