Who is Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh? Mother: Mata Anusuya. Sage Atri's wife, Sadguru Shri Dattatreya's ...
17Anusuya Mata is a revered figure in Hindu mythology, celebrated for her unwavering devotion, chastity, and spiritual power. She is considered one of the most virtuous and pious women in ancient Indian lore and is often held as an ideal of womanhood.
Who is Anusuya Mata?
Anusuya was the wife of Sage Atri, one of the Saptarishis (seven great sages), and the daughter of Sage Kardama and Devahuti. She is best known for her extreme devotion to her husband and her incredible spiritual strength.
The Legend of the Trinity
One of the most famous stories about Anusuya Mata involves the Hindu trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The three gods decided to test her chastity after hearing of her greatness. They appeared before her disguised as sages and asked her to give them alms without wearing any clothes. This was a test of her modesty and virtue.
Using her spiritual powers, Anusuya turned them into infants and fed them like a mother. Pleased and humbled, the gods revealed their true forms and blessed her. As a result of this divine event, she and her husband Atri were blessed with a son who was a combined incarnation of the three gods—Dattatreya, a prominent deity in Hinduism.
Symbolism and Worship
Anusuya Mata symbolizes pativrata dharma (the virtue of devotion to one's husband) and is revered as a paragon of selfless love and virtue. She is especially honored in various parts of India, particularly during festivals and spiritual gatherings related to Sage Atri and Dattatreya.
Legacy
Dattatreya Jayanti, the birthday of her divine son, is also a time when devotees remember Anusuya Mata.
The place called Anusuya Ashram near Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh is a famous pilgrimage site believed to be where she lived and performed penance.