The king was about to take his breakfast realising that very little of Dvādaśī was left on that day when the sage came there. The king invited him for food.
Then the sage Durvāsas went away for his ceremonial ablution, accompanied by his disciples In order to test the king, the sage purposely delayed there.
Realising that there would be violation of sacred injunction otherwise, the king took in a small quantity of water and waited for the arrival of the sage.