The Devoted King
King Ambarisha had given everything to Vishnu — his mind, his words, his actions, his wealth. He performed elaborate fasts and worship. He was gentle, generous, and utterly devoted.
One year, he was performing the Ekadashi fast — the most rigorous of Vaishnava observances. The fast ends at a precise moment, and he had to break it at exactly the right time. He had invited the great sage Durvasa as his guest.
Durvasa arrived. Then Durvasa left for a bath in the river. Hours passed. The precise moment to break the fast was approaching.
If Ambarisha waited longer, the fast would be violated. If he broke it without his guest, he would have been inhospitable.
He consulted his advisors and decided to take a sip of water — technically breaking the fast while technically not eating, thus honouring both the ritual requirement and the hospitality.
Durvasa's Fury
When Durvasa returned and learned what had happened, he was incandescent with rage. He tore a matted lock from his head and created a terrifying demoness from it to destroy Ambarisha.
The demoness charged at the king.
Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra appeared.
It killed the demoness in an instant. Then it turned toward Durvasa.
The Pursuit
Durvasa ran. The Sudarshana Chakra pursued him. He ran to Brahma. "I cannot help you," Brahma said. He ran to Shiva. "I cannot help you," Shiva said. He ran to Vishnu himself.
Vishnu said: "Durvasa, I cannot call off my Chakra. I am bound by my devotees. Wherever a devotee of mine is insulted without cause, my Chakra acts without my direct command. The only one who can protect you is Ambarisha himself — the man you wronged."
Durvasa returned to Ambarisha and begged for forgiveness. The king prayed to the Sudarshana to withdraw. It did.