The following three lines describing him would give us a fair descriptionof his physical appearance.
"Jatinam bhasmadigdhangam Sakshasutram kamandalam
Valkalajina Kaupeenam Satapatram Sadanadakam
Sakusham Cottariyanca Sapatnim prapoojayet"
This great sage had natural matted hair tied properly, he had a string of holy beads round his neck, a holywater pot in his hand, a sheet of deer skin under his arm, a piece of cloth worn over the privities, along white piece of cloth hanging over his shoulders and a traditional umbrella over his head. He had a longwalking stick which served as the symbol of danda made him look imposing. This holy sage lived with his wifeAnasuya. Such a great sage deserves to be workshipped, says the three stanzas cited above.
It was not only his good fortune, but also of the entire world that he had very obedient wife who was a great tapasivini herself. The story of this model couple has become part of Bharateeya heritage. Their life story has become immortal. They serve as the best model of an ideal couple. They were workshipped even by gods.There is a holy place near the southern tip of India by name Shucheendra very near Kanyakumarai. We find the ashram in which this great couple lived. Very near that we have the temple dedicated to Dattateya, their beloved son who renounced life and became immortal. All the gods were pleased with the welfare activites and the devotion to God of this couple and showered encomiums on them. Even the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara were pleased with them and said, "Mother you have done your devanyajna, ask for any thing and we will grant you." The great mother replied. "Let Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara be born as my sons"
"So be it " they said.They were born as her sons - Brahma as Chandra, Vishnu as Dattreya and Shiva as Durvasa. They were brought up with loving care by Anasuya. When they became young men Chandra went to Chandraloka, and Durvasa made it tothe forests on the slopes of the Himalayas. Datta offered himself to his parents and remained with themserving with devotion. He became famous as a great yogi and a teacher to the whole world and a marvel in his words and deeds. He could do acts which normal human beings could not dream of doing. This Datta has been being born as an avatara purush now and then for the purpose of helping the needy and setting dharma on the right path. As he offered for and devoted to the service of his parents, he came to be called 'Dattatreya'. He was born as a son to Anasuya as a result of her great devotion to God.
Welfare of humanity - Divine duty
What are the supreme duties this couple has rendered to the world. There is extensive references to and commentaries on it in the Mahabharatha. The holy tradition of rishis in this land is great, but the tradition of devoted wives in this country is equally great. Sati Anasuya was the best model. Sumanthi was another such model and devoted wife who was Anasuya's contemporary. She lived in a place called Prathishtanagara. Eventhough her husband Kaushika fell into bad ways and contracted many diseases, she remained true to him and served with great devotion.
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