Taken from the Book Sri Datta Darshanam. Jaya Guru Datta
The most virtuous Anasuya Mata was the wife of Lord Brahma's mind born son, Saptarishi Atri. She was the 2nd daughter of Kardama Prajapati and Devahuti. Brahma's act of creating the human species continued ceaselessly; and has it continued people indulged in sense pleasure and vulgar enjoyments in the name of Grhastha Dharma. They ignored the need for contemplation and forgot the Soul. This caused Brahma deep anguish, and he reflected over it seriously. He came to the conclusion that the incarnation of a Saviour possessing immense moral and spiritual power would be the only solution to this problem. He performed the marriage of Anasuya with his own mind born son Atri, a peerless Brahmajnani. He commanded Atri to assist him in his work of creation according to Grhastha Dharma (householder). That excellent couple spent many thousands of celestial years as man and wife. Their wedded life was full of tapas, faultless, marvelous, unequalled and unsullied by lust. By the power of his tapas Maharishi Atri was able to receive the revelation of the 5th mandala of the Shakalya branch of the Rig Veda. That part of the Veda containing prayer to Agnilinga, and the topic of Amarendra which possesses the power of bestowing happiness both here and hereafter. During Krita Yuga when disease and sickness spread and the world of living beings was being destroyed, it was Maharishi Atri who obtained the vision of Ayurveda. At another time when people were feeling that the Dharma Shastra compied by Manu had become incomprehensible, Atri himself composed a Smrti in words beautiful, clear and easy to understand. When the demons captured the Sun and Moon plunging the whole world into utter darkness, it was Atri who was sought by the devatas. He himself assumed the form of the Sun and Moon and dispersed lighrt to the world. There is no comparison to the various miracles performed by Anasuya, with her exemplary chastity and sincere devotion to here husband. Once, due to scorching heat, the river Ganga dried up; and Anasuya brought the river back to life for the convenience of the munis. Another time the river Ganga lost its purity and had been turned black by the sinner's touch. Anasuya sprinkled water from her kamandalu and burnt away all the impurities of Ganga in an instant. Many such deeds she performed. It was through their intense tapas that the Trinity... Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva appeared at the same time and told them they would be born to them as their son who was Dattatreya. Anasuya was human, yet her chastity and fame was so great as to instill the jealousy of the three Goddesses, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Parvati. (parts of story snipped) Anasuya was called upon to save the world when another chaste woman, Sumati kept the son from rising due to another curse on her husband, Kausika. Anasuya said this to Sumati: "For a virtuous and devoted wife, the company of her husband alone is all the world. His happiness is her happiness. His nearness alone gives meaning to her life. she has life so long as the husband is hale and hearty. Such a one is said to be a 'Pativrata'. "While a man cannot acquire merit without undergoing much suffering and without observing rituals, for us, dedicated service to our husbands is enough. That alone can easily give us all rewards." "For women there is no need for any other religious observances or disciplines. For a Woman her husband alone is God. Service to one's husband is worship to God. I have achieved great things through that alone." In Datta seva Sri Guru Datta Hanuman ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Ever feel sad or cry for no reason at all? Depression. Narrated by Kate Hudson. http://us.click.yahoo.com/CQDrNC/ubOLAA/d1hLAA/0NYolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
