Epitome of Vastness

Once Narad Ji visited the land of mortals. He saw Mother Anusuya in her hermit. He felt attracted towards her; her motherly aura was magnanimous. Narad Ji went and prostrated before her. She blessed Narad Ji as he was her son. Narad Ji returned to the Vaikuntha and told about the Mother’s asceticism to Narayana and Mother Lakshmi. Narayana smiled and asked him not to convey the news to Maa Kali or Mother Saraswati. Narada Ji felt like spurting out the word to Mother Kali and Mother Saraswati in the first go. He went to Kailash and vomited the info. Shiva Ji asked him not to tell Narayana or Brahma Ji. Narada Ji rushed to Brahma Ji and conveyed the same. Narada Ji repeated the same notions to everyone that Mother Anusuya was the best ascetic in the cosmos, even more than the Tridevis. 

At the end of the shuffle, the Trideva and their consorts became aware of Mother Anusuya’s austerity. The Tridevi asked their consorts to test Mother Anusuya’s austerity and purity. The Tridevas hesitated but went to Mother. They disguised themselves as three young brahmins adorned with snowy dhotis and Vaishnavi Tilak. They called out for bhiksha (alms) at Mother’s doorstep. Mother was alone in the ashrama as Rishi Atri was out for some task (it was planned play). Mother collected a few fruits and tended to offer them with motherly affection. The brahmins denied and said they could accept the alms if Mother offered them unclothed. Mother smiled and said that she could offer the bhiksha in the way as commanded if the brahmins took the form of babies. The brahmins transformed into infants. Mother received milk in her breasts and, she fed them unclothed. Mother loved them as her sons.

After some time, Rishi Atri returned. He rejoiced to see the playful verandah. Rishi Atri and Mother Anusuya felt that Lord was playing pranks with them. Six months passed away in no time. The babies continued playing in Mother’s laps and enjoyed lullabies. They didn’t grow an inch.

Tridevis in Vaikuntha felt restless for their consorts. They asked Brahmarishi Narada the reason behind the delay. Rishi Narada asked them to see the pranks for themselves. Tridevis descended on the land of mortals and reached the hermit’s doorstep. They knocked on the door in their majestic forms. Rishi Atri and Mother prostrated before them. Tridevis requested Mother to return their consorts. Mother nodded. Soon, the babies turned into original incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Rishi Atri and Mother stood speechless, seeing the six vibrant forms of the Formless. 

The three pairs of Eternity blessed Rishi Atri and Mother Anusuya to bear a son with the essence of the Tridevas. 

Time passed and, Mother bore a son, with three heads, each mimicking one of the three Tridevas. Mother mumbled and asked her son to change the form to a one-headed being, as the unusual form could create unrest in the community. Soon, the boy transformed into the most beautiful infant of that time. He was no other than Dattreya.