Table of Contents
Introduction
This is a series about Dattatreya. Earlier we had learned about Kaushika and his curse. We also saw how Anasuya had to intervene and as a result she got a boon that the gods would be born as her children. The story continues from there.
The Origins of Atri and Anasuya
Sumati continued telling his father about Anasuya.
When Brahma had meditated, from his mind were born his mind-born sons who went on to become great sages. Of the many who were born, one of them was called Atri. He was said to be the second son of Brahma and was beyond the three miseries of life, because of which he got his name. These three miseries were Internal Misery that rose from within like diseases, pain and fear; miseries caused by fate like those caused by forced beyond control like natural disasters and epidemics; and the third type of miseries that were caused by other humans or animals like violence and conflict. A person who was a liberated soul would attain freedom from these miseries. Atri had transcended pain, mental and inner fears through his austerities. Through his penance, he remained unaffected by natural calamities. His spiritual power protected him from harm caused by other beings, be they humans or animals. He had been married to Anasuya, whose name meant "the one who was free from envy and malice".
When Anasuya had returned from Pratishthan, Atri was still busy in his austerities. After the gods departed, Anasuya ensured everything was fine. Atri was engrossed in his meditation was best left undisturbed. She picked up her water pot and went to the river flowing in front of their ashram, to have a bath. It is said that pleased with her devotion, Ganga had manifested herself as Mandakini in Chitrakoot, in front of the ashram of Atri and Anasuya.
Anasuya went and picked up her earthen pot. She then began walking towards the river, humming a mantra. She needed a bath. She had just had her periods. Keeping the pot on the bank, she stepped into the river. She moved ahead ensuring she remained in the shallow part of the river. The water was waist deep where she was. She would not venture any further. She cupped some water in hands and with an invocation to the sun, poured that back in the river. The current was gentle. She took a deep breath and holding her breath, she immersed herself in the water completely. She did this three times. She then scooped out some mud from the river and gently rubbed it all over her body, exfoliating herself. With another deep breath, she took a dip and came up. Then cupping some water in her hands, she washed off the mud that was sticking to her body.
Feeling clean, she walked back towards the bank and reached for her water pot. She took that and filled the pot. Holding the pot, and taking support of a dangling branch of a tree, she stepped out of the water, her clothes wet sticking to her body. She began walking back towards her hut. As she walked, her wet clothes were slapping against her body, causing a shush-shush kind of noise.
Sage Atri had just come out of his meditation. He opened his eyes and looked around. A familiar sound. He smiled; it was the noise that Anasuya's dress was making when she was walking back from the river bank. The clinging wet fabric was revealing her curves. Atri realized, this was her fertile season.
Anasuya came out from her hut. She was wearing dry clothes. Her hair was still damp. She looked refreshed after changing out of her wet clothes. She spread out the wet clothes on bushes, to dry them. Then washing her hands, she went where her husband was.
Atri saw her and rose from his seat. His eyes lit up when he saw her. She looked like goddess Rati. A silent, tender invitation passed between them. He walked slowly towards the hut. Anasuya understood and followed him. When they were inside, Atri took her in his arms and drew her close, and there, they made love. Their souls joined. As their bodies joined, their austerities and the boon of the gods, all converged into one moment. A surge of energy, essence of pure thought, vital force and divine grace, flowed into Anasuya's body. This energy, which was like brilliant white light, which moved upwards. The energy imbibed in itself, the power of Soma juice. The energy enveloped the entire hut and everything began to glow. Anasuya looked like a goddess, glowing from within. As the light, which was gentle and nourishing, intensified from within Anasuya, it started swirling before her eyes. A form began to take shape, a luminous manifestation. The child that appeared was also glowing, radiating cool light that was palpable to the touch. This was Soma, born from the power of Brahma.
The Birth of Soma and Dattatreya
The hermitage was now graced by the presence of Soma. Anasuya was busy taking care of her newborn when she felt energy entering her being. This was the energy of Vishnu, which took the form of a newborn and began to develop in Anasuya's womb. When the time was right, not suffering any pains, Anasuya went into labour and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Born as a son of Atri, the boy was named Dattatreya.
The two young boys grew up, playing in the hermitage. Soma was the gentle one. He was calm and wise. Dattatreya was quieter. He preferred to sit and spend time by himself, instead of playing with boys his age.
Anasuya rose early. After bathing in the river, she would take care of household duties. The boys would wake and join her. She taught them Vedic verses and told them stories of gods and goddesses. Atri watched them grow.
Soon they started learning from Atri. Their father became their guru.
The Birth of Durvasa
One day Anasuya felt a strange sensation in her body. She began to feel restless. She realized there was a child growing within her.
The child was no ordinary child. It had been born angry. It wanted to escape everything and be free. Even the walls of Anasuya's womb were suffocating for it. Then one night, long before she was due, Anasuya went into labour. Wives of sages came to her and helped her. A baby boy was born, who right after birth started roaring instead of crying. This was a portion of Shiva's anger, born as Durvasa.
When Soma was older, he left to take his place in the heaven, from where he would watch over the earth. The quiet Dattatreya had changed. The young boy was a yogi. He wandered through the forests enjoying himself.
From his childhood days, Durvasa would not tolerate falsehood, arrogance or deviation from dharma. So, one day, he left the household to roam the earth.
Dattatreya's Austerities and Discipleship
The young yogi Dattatreya moved around the earth. He was good looking and he was wise. His wisdom attracted the sons of sages who came to him, to learn from him.
Women also found themselves drawn to him. Dattatreya wanted to be free from attachments. The admiration and reverence would bind him and he wanted to escape from all that. He left the place where he was. The sages followed him. Wherever he went, they went. One day, running from them he reached the banks of river Sarasvati. The sages were there too.
Dattatreya began to walk along the banks of the river. He was looking at the surface of the water. Suddenly he jumped into the waters of the river. The sages heard the splash and came running. They were confused. A few jumped into the water, but they could not find any trace of the yogi. They decided to wait there at the banks.
Days passed, the river flowed on but there was no sign of Dattatreya. The sages remained there hopeful that one day their guru would arrive.
Dattatreya, all this while, remained submerged. There he pursued his rigorous austerities. He withdrew his senses. He purified himself.
One morning, like the other days, the sages were sitting at the bank of the river, when they felt the waters stir. It was a tiny whirlpool. Soon that became bigger. The water began to make a deep sound like OM. The sages watched on, wondering what this was. From there figures began to arise.
First, it was Dattatreya. His wet hair was hanging down his back. His clothes were wet and dripping revealing his physique. His skin was smooth, untouched by the long period he had spent underwater. He was not alone. Right beside him, rising with, was a woman of beauty. She was dressed in elegant clothes. By the looks of her, the sages could make out that she was no ordinary woman, but someone having immense spiritual power, hiding that behind her looks.
Dattatreya was smiling. He thought, "When the sages see me with a woman, they stop following me. Once they do that, I will be able to go back to my yoga."
The sages stayed there. They were shocked, but their shock gave way to devotion. The presence of the woman did not bother them. Their guru was back.
Dattatreya looked at the woman. Both of them walked out and stood on dry ground. The woman, whose hands had been behind her back, brought them in front. She held a pitcher and two bowls. She kept the bowls on the ground, then she poured the contents of the pitcher into the bowls. The pitcher contained date palm toddy. She then kept the pitcher on the ground and lifted the bowls. She gave one of the bowls to Dattatreya and she took the other. Together they began sipping from the bowls.
Dattatreya felt pleased. "So, they will leave me now," he thought. "They will realize I am not worth following. I mix with women, drink liquor and am not sure I will do next. They will finally leave me. I will be free then."
The sages did not. They realized the true essence of Dattatreya. In front of them, was a true yogi. A yogi who was engaging in pleasures but had withdrawn himself from all that. These were just austerities. They called him the lord of Yoga. They realized the woman with Dattatreya was no ordinary woman. They fell at their feet.
Pleased with them, Dattatreya accepted them as his disciples. They left that place and went to the Sahyadri hills. There Dattatreya set up an ashrama where he practiced austerities along with the woman.
Symbolism of Soma
Soma represents:
- The Moon, which is a symbol of calmness, serenity and the rhythm of life.
- Mind and Manas – controlling Soma means mastering the mind, thoughts, and emotions.
- Soma Rasa – the elixir of immortality, symbolic of spiritual nectar gained through devotion and austerity.
Symbolism of Dattatreya
Dattatreya symbolizes:
- The universal teacher (Jagadguru) – a master of Jnana (knowledge), Bhakti (devotion), and Karma (action).
- Detachment in pleasure – he appears to engage in worldly enjoyment, but remains untouched by desire.
- He shows that True yoga is not escape from life, but transcendence within life.
Symbolism of Durvasa
Durvasa embodies:
- Tapas (austerity) and Tyaga (renunciation) in their most intense form.
- Truth and Discipline – intolerant of adharma, but always just.
- Anger as a purifier – not destructive anger, but divine rage that burns away ego and ignorance.
Durvasa roamed the earth not for pleasure or detachment, but to uphold dharma, often testing kings, gods, and sages to teach vital lessons.
Modern Relevance and Conclusion
In a world of distractions and disconnection, this tale reminds us that divinity comes from purity, detachment, and fierce compassion.
Soma embodied coolness, nourishment, and the wisdom of the Moon. Associated with the moon and the Soma juice, his presence reminds us of the need for balance, serenity and calm insight in a world of constant stimulation. In today’s hyperactive society, Soma’s symbolism urges us to prioritize mental peace, rest, and emotional intelligence over constant productivity.
Dattatreya: Born from the blessings of Vishnu. He engaged in worldly pleasures but was never bound by them. His life teaches that true detachment is not withdrawal from the world, but living within it without being enslaved by it.
His test — drinking wine, dancing with a woman — was not debauchery but a lesson in non-attachment. The sages who saw through the illusion realized that liberation is a state of mind, not geography. His teachings are more important than ever in the age of distractions. He shows us how to be in the world without losing the self — a true inner yogi for the digital age.
Born of Shiva’s anger, Durvasa was intolerant of hypocrisy, injustice, and adharma. He teaches that anger has a role in transformation and justice. His life is a sharp contrast to complacency and passivity, urging us to speak up, stand strong, and uphold dharma in the face of moral decay. His spirit resonates with those fighting for justice, ethics, and uncompromised truth, especially in a time when silence can mean complicity.
In a time of spiritual confusion, emotional burnout, and ethical challenges, the family of Atri and Anasuya offers a blueprint for inner harmony:
- Soma teaches balance and peace.
- Dattatreya teaches detachment with awareness.
- Durvasa teaches righteous intensity and moral clarity.
When we feel overwhelmed, we need Soma’s cool mind.
When we feel attached to outcomes, we need Dattatreya’s carefree spirit.
When we face injustice, we need Durvasa’s fire.
Are you seeking emotional balance? Invoke Soma’s grace.
Are you overwhelmed by worldly attachments? Learn from Dattatreya’s detachment.
Are you fighting for truth? Channel the righteous fire of Durvasa.
In a world split between indulgence and renunciation, fear and courage, emotion and detachment — we find our grounding in their examples.
Soma calms our mind.
Dattatreya frees our soul.
Durvasa strengthens our spine.
Through these three, the Sanatana Dharma speaks to our everyday lives — at home, at work, in relationships, and within.
May we live with Soma’s grace, walk with Dattatreya’s wisdom, and speak with Durvasa’s fire.
#Soma #Dattatreya #Durvasa #Anasuya #HinduPhilosophy #SanatanaDharma #Mindfulness #InnerPeace #SpiritualSymbolism #ModernRelevance #MythologyForToday
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