The Greatness of Atrishvara

Suta said

Once Atri, best of rishis and supreme among knowers of the brahman, rose and said to his beloved, "Please get me some water." Devoted to him, the virtuous lady took her water pot and went into a desolate region. "Where can I get water? What shall I do? Where shall I go?" Then she was surprised to see Ganga. When she tried to follow her, the goddess Ganga, supreme among rivers, took a beautiful form and spoke to her.

Ganga said

Lady, I am pleased with you. Where are you going? Tell me now. Fortunate one, you are blessed. I will truly do what you ask.

Suta continued

Brahmanas, hearing her, the ascetic wife of the rishi was surprised and glad, and answered.

Anasuya said

Who are you, lotus-eyed one? Where have you come from? Tell me the truth. A virtuous lady always speaks properly.

Suta continued

Ganga, the supreme river, divine in form, answered.

Ganga said

Virtuous lady, seeing your service to your husband and keeping of dharma, Shiva the supreme self and I are present near you. Beautiful-smiling one, I am Ganga and I have come to serve you. I am under your control now. Ask for whatever you want.

Suta continued

At Ganga's words the virtuous lady bowed and stood before her. "If you are pleased, give me some water now." Hearing this, Ganga said, "Dig a pit." She dug a pit at once and stood by it. In the form of water Ganga entered the pit. Anasuya was greatly surprised and took the water. For the welfare of the worlds, the sage's wife spoke to the excellent river, divine in form: "If you are pleased with me, be kind and stay here. Please stay until my husband comes here." Anasuya's words brought joy to the virtuous. Hearing them, Ganga was pleased and said, "Faultless one, give my water to Atri." Hearing this, she did so and gave the divine water to her husband, standing before him. The rishi, delighted, followed the norms and rinsed his mouth. He drank the divine water and rejoiced. "How wonderful! This is not the water I usually drink." Thinking so, he quickly looked around. He saw the dried trees and the harsh directions. The supreme rishi said, "It cannot have rained." Hearing this, his beloved answered, "No, it has not." He asked again, "Then where did you bring the water from?" Hearing this, she was greatly surprised. Lords among sages, she thought it over: "If I tell him, it will establish my excellence. If I do not tell him, my vow will be broken. I will tell him so that neither happens." As she was asked again and again, she reflected. By Shambhu's favour the husband-devoted lady had a clever thought. She said, "Husband, listen. I will tell you what happened. By Shankara's power and your good deeds, Ganga has come here. This is her water." Hearing this, the sage's mind was filled with wonder. Happily remembering Shankara, he said to his beloved, "Beloved, beautiful lady, have you spoken the truth or is this false? I think this is an extremely rare event, so you have not spoken truth. Auspicious one, even yogis who worship the gods cannot manage this. So I am greatly surprised now. I will believe it only when I see it myself." Hearing this, the beloved answered her husband, "Lord, great sage, if you wish to see Ganga, the supreme river, come there with me." Saying this, the husband-devoted lady took her husband with her.

She remembered Shiva and quickly went to where Ganga, the supreme river, was. There she showed her husband Ganga, who was present in the pit in divine form. The supreme rishi went and saw the pit full of water. Seeing it filled to the brim, he exclaimed, "I am blessed. Is this because of my austerity, or someone else's?" Saying this, the tiger among sages devoutly praised her. The sage bathed in that very fortunate water, rinsed his mouth again and praised her repeatedly. Anasuya too bathed in the lovely water. The sage and Anasuya, excellent in vows, did their daily rites. Ganga said, "I am returning to my abode." Thus addressed, the virtuous lady spoke to the excellent river again: "Deveshi, goddess, if you are pleased and wish to show me compassion, please stay permanently in this hermitage. It is the nature of the great to keep a pledge." Saying this, she folded her hands and praised her repeatedly. The rishi too said, "Supreme river, please stay here. Goddess, favour us and grant us protection." Hearing this, the beautiful, excellent river Ganga was pleased and spoke to Anasuya.

Ganga said

To help the gods I will stay here. But on one condition: you must give me one year's merit that you have gained by worshipping Shankara and serving your husband. I am not as pleased by gifts, bathing at holy places, sacrifices and yoga as I am by devotion to a husband. When I see a woman devoted to her husband, I am pleased. Nothing else pleases me as much. I speak the truth. When I see a woman devoted to her husband my sins are destroyed. I am especially purified and become like Gouri, devoted to her husband. So if you want the welfare and benefit of the worlds, give me that merit and I will stay here permanently.

Suta continued

Hearing this, Anasuya, devoted to her husband, gave Ganga all the merit she had gathered in a year. It is the nature of the great to work for the good of others, as gold, sandalwood and sugarcane juice show. Seeing Anasuya's deed of great devotion to her husband, Mahadeva was pleased and at once appeared from his earthen lingam. Shambhu said, "Husband-devoted one, I am pleased at your virtuous act. You are dear to me. Ask for the boon you desire most." The couple looked at Shambhu's handsome form and, greatly surprised, gazed at Hara with his five faces. Full of great devotion they bowed, folded their hands and praised him. Having worshipped Shankara, who brings welfare to the worlds, they said: "Devesha, if you are pleased, and if the mother of the universe is pleased, please stay in this hermitage and bring happiness to the worlds." Ganga was pleased and Shiva was pleased. Both stayed there with the excellent rishi. Ishvara is named Atrishvara and removes the miseries of others. By her maya Ganga also stayed in that pit. From that day there has always been a perennial supply of water. In a pit only a hand long, Ganga Mandakini appeared. With their wives the divine rishis came there. Brahmanas, all of them came back from the various holy places they had left for. There was a supply of barley and rice. With the supreme rishis, people devoted to sacrifice performed them. Satisfied by these rites, the clouds rained. Lords among sages, there was great happiness in the world. So I have told the greatness of Atrishvara. It brings happiness, gives pleasure and liberation, satisfies all desires and increases devotion.