Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Arjuna's Birth
- Arjuna's Reluctance to Rule
- Sage Garga's Counsel
- Indra's Plight and Dattatreya's Unconventional Aid
- The Seven Abodes of Lakshmi
- Downfall of Jambha and the Return of Lakshmi
- Garga's Final Counsel to Arjuna
- Key Insights from the Tale
- Symbolism of Dattatreya
- Lakshmi’s Role
- Lakshmi's Spots
- Why This Matters Today
Introduction
This is a continuation on Dattatreya's tale as being told to Mahamati by his son Sumati, which in turn is being narrated to Jaimini by the four birds.
- Part 1 was about Kaushika and how he was cursed.
- Part 2 about Anasuya and how she got the boon from the gods.
- Part 3 about the birth of Dattatreya and his brothers.
- This is part 4 on Dattatreya which shows how Dattatreya was responsible for the defeat of Jambha.
Arjuna's Birth
Far away, in the city of Mahishmati, King Kritavirya was troubled. He sat looking at the waters of river Narmada in a pensive mood. It had been many years since his marriage. He had gone to sages, prayed to gods, fasted on holy days and still he had no successor.
One day, his wife Padmini, went into the forest to meet Anasuya. Padmini had heard about Anasuya and her powers. Anasuya’s name was well known for her penance and compassion.
When Padmini had gone to meet Anasuya, Anasuya was pregnant with Durvasa and Dattatreya was still young.
Hearing Padmini's desires Anasuya advised her to go to the forests on specific days and pray to Vishnu. "Go with your husband, in silence and with concentration worship Vishnu. Perform this worship in the month that comes once in three years that we call the 'Mala-masa'. On the eleventh day of the waxing moon phase in that extra month, worship Vishnu. Do that, and your wish will be fulfilled."
Years passed since this. One day Vishnu appeared before them in the form of Dattatreya and blessed them and asked them what they wanted.
“I will bless you with what you desire,” he said.
“O Lord,” Kritavirya said, “We wish for a son. One born of your grace and who will be unconquered by all, except you.”
Dattatreya nodded. Without another word, he disappeared.
In time, a son was born to them. Son of Kritavirya was named Arjuna and became popular as Kartavirya Arjuna – Arjuna, son of Kritavirya.
Sage Garga and other teachers taught the prince.
He learnt all he could that he would need in his life. Arjuna was surprisingly strong. He was intelligent and quickly learnt his lessons in scripture, statecraft, and martial arts. He excelled in every form of combat training. He displayed an ability to wield multiple weapons with dexterity. His father instilled in him the core tenets of 'dharma'.
Arjuna's adolescent years were marked by a dedication to honing his mind and body. Years passed and Kritavirya, followed by Padmini, passed away.
Arjuna's Reluctance to Rule
The ministers and sages turned towards Arjuna. They wanted young Arjuna as their king.
They summoned him. Arjuna came to the court and was greeted by everyone.
As he arrived there, he respectfully bowed down in front of all and then asked when he had been asked to come to the court.
The ministers there told Arjuna, "We are ministers and not rulers. We can guide the ruler, but we cannot rule. You are the rightful person who should become king. After your father's demise, we have been handling the affairs of the kingdom. We want you to become the king and we will continue to serve you, as we served your father."
Arjuna spoke to them telling them why he did not want to become king.
"I cannot, at this moment, become a king. A king’s path is a descent into ruin. Consider our social contract: the tributes offered by merchants – a portion of their earnings – are given in the expectation of safe passage along guarded routes. Similarly, the herdsmen contribute a share of their dairy, and farmers a portion of their harvest, all in exchange for unfailing security for their livelihoods and their lives. The king accumulates spiritual merit through pious acts: rituals, observing vows, mastering the scriptures, extending hospitality and sponsoring public works such as wells, reservoirs and places of worship. He gains blessings through acts of compassion like feeding the hungry. If these subjects are burdened with demands exceeding their due, and the ruler accepts and enjoys these excessive gains without delivering protection, then that king becomes a robber. All the king’s good deeds – his sacrifices, his public charities – are nullified. If, after receiving his share, the people still find themselves vulnerable, then it is certain that such a king’s destiny is marked for hell. A king’s entitlement is proportional to the protection he provides. To accept that wealth, and fail to safeguard the people, is an act of larceny in the eyes of dharma."
"I wish to perform rigorous austerities and dedicate myself to the path of a yogi. Only when I have attained strength and spiritual purity that I want, only then will I accept this trust. Until that day, I refuse to become a king."
The ministers had not accepted this kind of a reply from the prince. They started whispering amongst themselves, wondering what to say.
Sage Garga's Counsel
In the court was someone who had been listening to this. Sage Garga, son of sage Bharadwaj, was the family priest of the kingdom. He heard what young Arjuna had said. He understood that this was no ordinary person speaking. While the ministers were talking amongst themselves, searching for a reply, Garga got up from his seat and said he wanted to speak to Arjuna.
Arjuna came and bowed down in front of the sage. The sage asked Arjuna to sit next to him.
Garga said, "I am impressed by your wisdom and your commitment to dharma. You have the markings of a great king. I understand your pain. To be a great ruler, one needs to understand where the pitfalls are. You want ultimate strength so you can take care of the subjects. You also want spiritual purity. Now listen to me and I will tell you what you need to do for that. You do not need to leave your kingdom and ask the gods for boons. No, there is an alternate way to do that. Listen to me. If you travel south, you will come to Sahyadri mountains. There is the ashram of sage Dattatreya. It was by his boon, that you were born. Go to his ashrama and worship him. He is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is detached from everything. He appears as a drunkard and womanizing sage. Do not let that fool you. External appearances are misleading. He is not attached to anything. He is a yogi of the highest order. He is beyond all dualities: good and bad, pure and impure. When the Daityas and asuras had attacked heaven, Indra had gone and taken refuge at the feet of this yogi. It was by the grace of Dattatreya, that Indra was able to get back his kingdom."
Arjuna was curious. He wanted to know more about this. "Please tell me more. What happened? Why did Indra have to go to Dattatreya and how did he help Indra?"
Garga called the ministers and asked them to come closer. He said he would tell all how Dattatreya helped Indra. When they all came, he started his story.
Indra's Plight and Dattatreya's Unconventional Aid
"This was from long ago. Great sage Kashyapa had many sons through his wives. One of these was Jambha. He was born as a son of Kashyapa and his wife Diti. He, as other Daityas before him, wanted power. He began by spoiling the rituals of the sages on earth, which was the source of the gods' spiritual sustenance. When the time was ripe, Jambha unleashed his army on heaven. The army was led by Viprachitti, a son of Kashyapa and his wife Danu. With Jambha and Viprachitti leading the army, the Daityas, Danavas and the Asuras - who were in the army, attacked the heavens. The gods were caught off guard. They fought bravely. Each god found themselves facing an enemy tailored to exploit their weaknesses. Finally, with their palaces burning and their chariots shattered, Indra made the decision to retreat."
"Desperate for a solution, the gods approached their guru, Brihaspati. They told him about Jambha and how the Daitya had taken over heaven. Brihaspati asked the gods to follow him, and along the gods went where the Balakhilya sages were. The tiny sages asked the gods to approach Dattatreya. They told the gods, 'When you approach Dattatreya, you will see things that you may find perverse. He could be seen consuming impure food, drinking liquor or be in the company of women. Remember that he is none other than Vishnu, who has come to earth to teach and show Yoga. Approach him. Please him. If he walks away, go behind him. Be with him, till he helps by showing you how to destroy Jambha and his followers.'"
"The Gods went to the Sahyadri hills where Dattatreya was, not sure what to expect there. It was a simple ashram with a series of simple huts, arranged in a semicircle around a central fire pit. There, seated on a deer-skin mat, was Dattatreya. His body was lean and wiry. His long, matted dreadlocks were piled atop his head. He was holding a bowl in one hand. The other hand was around a woman, whose head resting on his shoulder, she was of ethereal beauty. The bowl was not empty, but contained a dark, rich liquid. As the gods watched, Dattatreya slowly raised the bowl to his lips and took a draught of the liquid. The woman beside him smiled softly."
"The desperation of the gods outweighed any shock. Having come so far, they cast aside their preconceptions and prostrated themselves before him. With utmost humility, they began to worship him, chanting powerful hymns. 'You are the one who can give us true knowledge. You are untouched by dualities that affect us. You are not limited to any text or path, where scriptures end you begin. You appear as a playful child or as a person defying social order. Your behaviour surprises all as you teach us to dissolve our egos and awaken the ultimate truth.' With the hymns, the gods sat there and worshipped him."
"Seeing that Dattatreya was drinking from his bowl, Indra asked some of the gods to fetch liquor. Best of the liquors were brought and served to Dattatreya."
"Dattatreya did not want the liquor that they served him and moved his bowl away. As the gods were forcibly trying to serve him, he got up. As soon as he got up, the gods also got up. Seeing this, he started walking away, accompanied by the woman. The gods started following him. He got irritated and sat down. As soon as he did that, the gods also sat down and then prostrated themselves in front of him."
"'Is everything fine? You are imitating my actions. This is not normal behaviour. Why are you doing this? What will this achieve? Why do you want to serve me liquor when I have enough of my own. Answer me,' Dattatreya asked the gods."
"Indra spoke. He said, 'I speak on the behalf of all the gods here. You are the greatest of the yogis. You know why we are here. Jambha and his followers have made our lives miserable. They have attacked our followers and have taken over all the worlds. We had to leave everything and flee. We were told you would be able to help us, so we have come to you. Help us get the heavens back.'"
"Dattatreya looked at the gods and burst out laughing. 'Look at me. I am drinking liquor. I cannot walk in a straight line. I have no control over my senses. Even then you have come to me, asking for help. I am amused.'"
"Indra said, 'You remain untouched by sin, impurity or any other taint. You are not what you appear as, but are a divine being. You are none other than Vishnu. Your enjoyment of sensual pleasures does not affect your pure inner state. Your purity is from true realization. You not only know the truth; but you are truth itself. Your acts do not rise from ego or desire.'"
"Dattatreya said, 'I see everything as equal. I do not divide the world into sacred and profane, pure and impure. I see the divine in all. I am all this and I also contaminated. I have been with this woman and I am impure. Indulgence in sensory pleasures leads to distraction and sorrow.'"
"Indra said, 'How can that be? You are not polluted or impure in any manner. We understand what you told us, but we also know who the woman is. She is the divine feminine or shakti. She is the mother of all existence. She is the sacred wisdom that lives in enlightened beings. She is the one grants liberation. You are not outside you but a part of you. She is like the sun. Just as the sun’s rays remain untouched by what they fall on, likewise true wisdom and divine energy remains untouched by the external forms it may associate with.'"
"Dattatreya smiled and looked at the gods. 'If this is your belief then I will not stop you. Go ahead and get Jambha and his troops here. Let them come here. I want to see them and face them. The moment they enter the ashram; they will come face to face with me. The moment their eyes meet my eyes; their powers will be diminished. Do not send any messages. Lead them to me and then leave the rest to me.'"
"Hearing Dattatreya's words, the gods went back to heaven. They challenged the Daityas to a fight. A terrible fight ensued. The gods were defeated. They started running away. Jamba was wondering where the gods were running off to. 'The gods knew they would not be able to win, so why did they still come to us. Something must be happening. ' Jambha along with his army started following the gods."
"This was exactly what the gods wanted. They led the army of Daityas and asuras to the ashram of Dattatreya."
"Jamba entered and saw Dattatreya. He was drunk and not in his senses. A woman was sitting beside him. Her beauty was beyond compare. In the entire universe, there was none more beautiful than her. Rightly so, as she was none other than Lakshmi."
"Dattatreya did not have to even look at the Daityas. He knew that Lakshmi would make sure the Daityas met their end."
"As soon as Jambha saw the woman, he wanted her. He forgot all about the gods and went towards Lakshmi. Jambha asked for a palanquin to be brought there. A beautiful palanquin was fetched. Jambha asked the woman to enter the palanquin. Lakshmi agreed and sat down comfortably, in the palanquin. Placing the palanquin on their heads, Jambha and his army left the ashrama of Dattatreya."
Sage Garga stopped for a moment. The ministers in the court were all sitting, listening to the sage. After a moment's break. Garga continued.
"Seeing the Daityas leave with Lakshmi on the palanquin, Dattatreya burst out laughing. The gods were wondering what had happened. Dattatreya said, 'If you remember I said I will reduce the strength of the Daityas by looking at them. I did not have to. Lakshmi will make sure that Jambha is defeated. There are seven spots on which Lakshmi can reside on a person's body. Those are beneficial for the person. As soon as Lakshmi passes that sits on the eighth spot, know that the person's end is nearby.'"
The Seven Abodes of Lakshmi
Indra asked Dattatreya, 'We are not aware of these spots that you mentioned. Please tell us about those.'
Dattatreya said, 'Listen as I tell you about the spots on which Lakshmi can live, in a body. Imagine a person standing straight and visualize them. The feet of the person are touching the ground. The foot is the base of the human body. It touches the earth and is essential for rootedness and stability. With Lakshmi being on the foot, it implies a well-grounded life. A stable home comes when one walks the right path.'"
"'From the feet we will travel up the body of the person. The second spot that Lakshmi can reside in, are the thighs of the person. The things hold the body and give balance, and without strong thighs one cannot move forward. Riches in life (garments, wealth) are gained through structural strength and consistent labour. Lakshmi does not favour the lazy or the unstable. She supports that person who is willing to act with grounded will, is capable of sustaining wealth and is rooted in dharma.'"
"'Next spot that we will talk about are the genitals of the person. The genitals are the organs that have creative power. With Lakshmi residing there, she gives sanctity to desire, making it fruitful, constructive and aligned with dharma. The person gets a partner in life who becomes a co-guardian of the household's moral, emotional, and economic well-being. Sexual power becomes blessed and constructive and without her presence, desire leads to downfall and chaos.'"
"'The next spot that Lakshmi can live in, is the lap of the person. Lakshmi is not only the goddess of wealth and prosperity but she is also the one who gives life and offspring. With Lakshmi on the lap, the person gets the blessings of having children and they lead a life full of harmony. Children are also wealth. They perform rituals for ancestors and support parents when needed.'"
"'When we go up the body, we come to heart of the person. The heart is where the self stays. When Lakshmi stays in the heart, one lives a life aligned with dharma. The person becomes emotionally fulfilled. The person becomes a source of joy to others and their presence brings peace to others.'"
"'The best place for Lakshmi to reside is the throat. When Lakshmi lives in the throat it signifies refined expression, reputation and auspicious communication. The throat is the gateway — not just for speech, but also for chanting, telling the truth and invocation. The power of refined and dharmic speech can heal rifts, reconnect separated hearts and restore lost relationships.'"
"'The seventh place where Lakshmi can live is the mouth. When Lakshmi is present at the mouth, she brings nourishment and enjoyment. The person receives pure food and blessings flow from eating that. One eats in harmony with nature and others. Speech becomes refined, inspiring and dharmic. The throat represents connection, return and respect. The mouth represents expression, persuasion and fulfilment. The mouth produces words, but the throat carries the source and power of voice.'"
"'If you remember, Jambha and his army had placed Lakshmi, seated in the palanquin, on their heads. When Lakshmi who is prosperity goes to a person's head, she leaves that person. She does not stay where she is worshipped in pride, and instead moves to someone else who is more deserving. The head is the seat of the ego, pride and intellectual arrogance. If she is on the head, wealth no longer serves the person but rules them. She is ever-moving and she gravitates toward humility, service, and balance. You have nothing to fear now. Lakshmi would have left the Daityas and you can now go and defeat them. These Daityas had accumulated energy through austerities. They used that energy to commit adharmic acts. That energy has been taken away from them. They took a woman away with them, who was not theirs. That burnt away any merit earned. They are powerless now. Go defeat them and claim back your heaven.'"
Downfall of Jambha and the Return of Lakshmi
"The gods took leave of Dattatreya. They chased Jambha and his army and defeated them. They took back their heaven. Lakshmi jumped out of the palanquin and went back where Dattatreya was. After defeating the Daityas, Indra and the gods went back to Dattatreya. They took the blessings of the yogi and Lakshmi and prayed to them, saying 'We recognize you as Vishnu. It is by your blessings that we were able to destroy the Daityas.' After praying and worshiping them, the gods left."
Garga's Final Counsel to Arjuna
The ministers and Arjuna had been listening to Garga. Garga then said to Arjuna, "You want to have inner strength and purity. If so, go where Dattatreya lives. Please him. Worship him. If he is pleased, you will get what you want."
Key Insights from the Tale
Kartavirya Arjuna, despite his extraordinary martial and scriptural training, refused the throne, giving a discourse on the true meaning of kingship and dharma:
“A king’s wealth is not his entitlement, but the people’s trust. If he takes more than he protects, he is not a ruler—but a thief in dharma’s eyes.”
This moral clarity is also shared in the Rajadharma chapters in the Mahabharata
When the Devas approached Dattatreya, they found him drinking liquor, holding a beautiful woman, and laughing. Yet they worshipped him, declaring:
“You are beyond purity and impurity. You are the knower of truth, and the truth itself. You are Vishnu incarnate, beyond scriptures and traditions.”
Symbolism of Dattatreya
Dattatreya represents:
The Supreme Yogi who is Unattached, beyond rituals, immersed in non-dual awareness (Advaita).
The Divine Paradox: Engaged in worldly pleasures yet untouched by karma.
Shakti-Sahita: The woman with him is none other than Maha-Lakshmi, symbolic of divine energy (Shakti) dwelling in harmony with pure consciousness .
“As the sun’s rays remain untouched by impurities, so too does wisdom remain untainted.”
When Jambha saw Lakshmi, his desire overcame reason. He ordered her to be taken away. As the Daityas carried her in a palanquin, they were spiritually disarmed, bewitched by illusion (Maya).
Dattatreya’s lifestyle is not a fall from asceticism, but a challenge to our limited ideas of purity. He demonstrates:
True yoga is freedom from all bondage—even that of moral rigidity.
The divine does not dwell only in forests or temples, but in every experience when seen through wisdom.
Lakshmi’s Role
She is Maya and Shakti, both temptation and liberation. When misperceived, she becomes a trap. When understood, she becomes the path.
The Defeat of Jambha
The defeat was not by weapon or spell, but by the gaze of detachment, and the power of divine play (lila).
Dattatreya reveals that what appears profane may conceal the sacred.
He teaches that ego, not sensuality, is the real impurity.
His very presence dissolves demonic tendencies, which in us are ignorance, attachment, and arrogance.
This tale is a spiritual allegory. Dattatreya doesn’t wield weapons. His weapon is inner realization. His battlefield is the soul.
Modern Relevance and Conclusion
This story holds relevance for modern leaders, spiritual seekers, and social reformers:
- Leadership without spiritual grounding becomes tyranny.
- Appearances deceive—wisdom may wear strange masks.
- True power does not lie in domination. It is there in balance, self-control, and surrender.
In modern times, dharma is being often misunderstood. Kartavirya Arjuna’s hesitation tells us of the burden and responsibility that comes with power.
Dattatreya did not destroy Jambha through violence but by revealing the Asura’s own ignorance.
Lakshmi's Spots
Spots where Goddess Lakshmi can live in the human form and which are beneficial.
The Feet — Foundation and Dharma: Walking ethically in your career, life choices, and relationships keeps your prosperity rooted.
The Thighs — Strength and Industry: Financial growth requires effort, resilience, and consistent discipline—there’s no shortcut to abundance.
The Genitals — Creative Power and Sacred Desire: Prosperity includes healthy relationships and aligned desires that enrich family, not destroy it.
The Lap — Offspring and Legacy: Legacy defines prosperity. Raising grounded, compassionate children is divine wealth.
The Heart — Emotional Fulfilment and Dharma: True wealth is living with compassion, giving joy to others, and finding emotional balance.
The Throat — Communication and Grace: Your voice, when truthful and uplifting, can rebuild lives and unlock abundance. Speak with purpose.
The Mouth — Nourishment and Persuasion: Eat consciously, speak wisely. What you consume and express influences your internal and external wealth.
Why This Matters Today
This timeless tale holds deep significance in today’s world:
- Misplaced Lakshmi: In our time, wealth is often paraded on social media, worn as ego.
- Pride precedes downfall: Just like Jambha, businesses, leaders and individuals fall when pride replaces service.
- True prosperity is holistic: health, family, speech, ethics, love, and legacy—not just money.
- Spiritual practice and humility restores balance in life, even when external battles seem overwhelming.
Share this story with others who seek deeper meaning.
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