Anasuya and Atri's Austerities

Suta said

The Mattagajendraka lingam is at Chitrakuta, in Brahmapuri. It was set up by Brahma long ago and grants everything desired, with prosperity. East of it is the lingam of Kotisha, which grants every boon. The lingam called Pashupati lies west of the Godavari. To bring welfare to the worlds and joy to Anasuya, the god showed himself in the south as Atrishvara. He revived those suffering from drought. He is Shankara's own portion.

The rishis asked

Suta, very fortunate one, how did Hara arise as Atrishvara? Excellent in vows, tell us this supreme divine account.

Suta answered

Best of rishis, you have asked a virtuous question. I will tell that auspicious account, and one who hears it constantly is certainly freed from sins. In the south is the great forest called Kamada, near Chitrakuta, which brings welfare to the virtuous who do austerities. There the rishi Atri, Brahma's son, with Anasuya, performed hard austerities himself. Sage, once, by chance, a drought came that lasted a hundred years. It was terrible and made living things miserable. All the trees, sprouts and fruits dried up. Lord among sages, there was no place from which water could be fetched. With no moisture, harsh winds blew in all ten directions. This caused misery and great lamentation on earth. Atri's beloved wife saw living beings being destroyed. The virtuous lady said to Atri, "I cannot bear this grief." At this the supreme sage did pranayama three times, sat in his posture and sank into samadhi. Atri, the supreme sage, had knowledge. He meditated on the supreme light within his self, Shankara, who is free of change. When their master sank in meditation, with no food to be had, his disciples left the sage, their guru, and went far away. Anasuya, devoted to her husband, was left alone. Cheerfully she served the supreme sage constantly. By the norms, with mantras, she shaped a lovely clay image, offered to Shankara in her mind and worshipped him. She served Shankara devoutly and praised him repeatedly. With joined hands she circled her husband and Shiva. She lay full length like a rod and also went round in reverse. Anasuya's conduct was excellent. All the daityas and danavas saw that beautiful lady. They were stirred but, because of her energy, kept their distance, as one keeps away from a fire. Anasuya stayed near Atri, tending him properly, but her service to Shiva surpassed Atri's austerity. Lords among brahmanas, as long as the supreme sage was in pranayama, the lady especially distinguished herself in service in thought, word and deed. So the couple were occupied in their own tasks. As long as the tiger among sages stayed so, no one else was near him. Atri, supreme among rishis, did this and time passed. He was supremely sunk in meditation and noticed nothing else. The virtuous Anasuya served her husband and Shiva and knew nothing else either.

Because of his austerities and her service, gods, rishis and the Ganga and other rivers were extremely pleased. All came there to see them. Seeing his austerity and her service, they were filled with great amazement. Witnessing their supreme and wonderful deeds, they spoke to one another: "Which is greater, austerity or service? Atri's austerity or Anasuya's service?" Weighing both, they said again: "The service is greater. Other rishis have done extremely hard austerities before, but no one has ever done anything like this." They also said: "The sage is blessed, and Anasuya likewise. Full of great love, both have done excellent austerities. Such auspicious austerities are excellent and extremely hard. We know of no one in the three worlds who has so far done the like." Praising them, they went back to where they had come from, except Ganga and Girisha. Ganga said, "I am delighted with the virtuous lady's devotion to service and charmed by her keeping of dharma. I will help her and leave only afterward." Lords among sages, the sage Atri's meditation also held Shiva to the spot. He stayed there in his full digits and did not go to Kailasa. Supreme rishis, fifty-four years passed without rain. As long as Atri was in austerity and meditation, Anasuya took no food. She did this as long as the sage practised those austerities. Hear what came of Anasuya's service.