Text 48] Ambarisa Maharaja Offended by Durvasa Muni 125

prag distam bhrtya-raksayam
purusena mahdétmana

dadaha krtyém tar cakram
kruddhahim iva pavakah

prak distam—as previously arranged; bhrtya-raksayam—for the pro-
tection of his servants; purusena—by the Supreme Person; maha-
atmanad—by the Supersoul; dadaha—burnt to ashes; krtyam—that cre-
ated demon; tam—him; cakram—the disc; kruddha—angry; ahim—a
serpent; iva—like; pdvakah—fire.

TRANSLATION

As fire in the forest immediately burns to ashes an angry snake,
so, by the previous order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
His disc, the Sudarsana cakra, immediately burnt to ashes the cre-
ated demon to protect the Lord’s devotee.

PURPORT

As a pure devotee, Maharaja Ambarisa, although in such danger, did
not move an inch from his position, nor did he request the Supreme
Personality of Godhead to give him protection. He was fixed in under-
standing, and it was certain that he was simply thinking of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead in the core of his heart. A devotee is never fear-
ful of his death, for he meditates on the Supreme Personality of Godhead
always, not for any material profit, but as his duty. The Lord, however,
knows how to protect His devotee. As indicated by the words prag
distam, the Lord knew everything. Therefore, before anything hap-
pened, He had already arranged for His cakra to protect Maharaja
Ambarisa. This protection is offered to a devotee even from the very
beginning of his devotional service. Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah
pranaSyati (Bg. 9.31). If one simply begins devotional service, he is im-
mediately protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is also
confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (18.66): aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami. Protection begins immediately. The Lord is so kind and
merciful that He gives the devotee proper guidance and all protection,
and thus the devotee very peacefully makes solid progress in Krsna
