Ambarisha with his wife once undertook to perform Dvâdasi Vrata for one year. (Dvâdasi is the twelfth day of the Moon. The Vrata consists in fasting on the eleventh day of the Moon and in breaking the fast on the 12th day). On one occasion he fasted for 3 consecutive days. He bathed himself in the Yamunâ and worshipped Vishnu at Mathurâ. He gave plenty of riches and cattle to the Brâhmanas. He then fed the Brâhmanas and asked their permission to eat himself. At the time Durvâsas appeared as his guest. The king received him duly and requested him to take his meals. The Rishi consented and went to bathe himself in the river and perform his daily rites. The king waited long for him but he did not return. There was only half a muhurta now remaining of Dvâdasi. If the king did not eat any thing, his Vrata would not be observed. If he ate, he would shew disregard to a Brâhmana. At this juncture, the king decided to serve both ends by taking a little water, for the Brâhmanas call that both eating and non-eating. Durvâsas came back. By spiritual vision, he knew what had happened and became highly enraged. He tore up a hair tuft and charged it to kill Ambarisha. The king remained unmoved. The chakra of Vishnu consumed the destructive force sent by Durvâsas and went even to destroy him. The Rishi ran in every direction. The Chakra followed him wherever he went. He went to Brahmâ and prayed to be saved. "It is not in my power to save thee" said Brahmâ. "Thou hast offended a votary of Vishnu." He went to Śiva. "Child" said Śiva "this weapon of Vishnu is too much for me even. Go thou to Vishnu." Durvâsas went to Vishnu and prayed to be pardoned and saved. Said Vishnu: "O Brâhmana, I am dependent on my Bhaktas. I am not free. My heart is in the possession of my Bhaktas. I am dear to them. Without these my Bhaktas I do not even want myself, nor my absolute powers, for I am their sole and supreme resort. They forsake their wives, homes, children and wealth for my sake. How can I forsake them. Their heart is chained to me. They look on all with equal eyes. By devotion they win me even as chaste wives win their husbands. My service is all in all to them. They do not even desire the four Muktis, Sâlokya and others, though these come within their easy reach. What perishable objects can they have desire for? The Sâdhus are my heart. I am the heart of the Sâdhus. They do not know any one besides me nor do I know any one besides them. O Brâhmana, hear what is thy only remedy. Without delay go to him who has caused this fear in thee. When force is used against Sâdhus, it reacts on him who uses the force. True asceticism and wisdom are both for the salvation of the Brâhmanas. But in one untrained, they produce the contrary effect. Therefore go thou to the son of Nâbhâga. Beg his pardon and thou shalt be saved." Durvâsas went back to Ambarisha and touched the feet of the king. Ambarisha became non-plussed at this act of a Brâhmana and knowing