Dvisahasri of Tembesvami (Summary and Study)
by Upadhyay Mihirkumar Sudhirbhai | 2012 | 54,976 words
This page relates ‘Tale About Lord Dattatreya’s incarnation’ of the study of the Dvisahasri by Tembesvami:—a Sanskrit epic poem (mahakavya) narrating the legend and activities of Lord Dattatreya, including details on his divine sports and incarnations. Also known as Datta, he is considered one of the Holy Masters in the Natha cult imparting spiritual knowledge and adequate practice to the aspirant.
Chapter 3 - Tale About Lord Dattātreya’s incarnation
[Note: This page represents a summary English translation of the Dvisāhasrī by Ṭembesvāmī, chapter 3.—In the 3rd chapter there are the stories of three gods (Brahmā, Viṣṇu & Maheśa) going to Anasūyā to test her chastity but they become small children and (the story of) king Ambariṣa.]
03/01-02: Nāmadhāraka spoke: He is curious to know about the trinity of gods.
03/03-47:Siddha spoke: He is pleased,
03/05-08: Nobody has asked about the Holy Master. His sports are endless. In the Kali era the stories of the Holy Master are the boat to cross the ocean of Existence, while the ignorance is the water of this ocean having no shores. The thirst is waves.
03/09-11: Nāmadhāraka will definitely across the ocean of Existence and then on the confluence of rivers Bhīmā and Amarajā Siddha narrates the stories which are the best remedy for all.
03/12-15: Lord Viṣṇu creates Brahmā who creates 07 Mind-born sages for the further creation. Sage Atri is one to them. Sage Atri’s wife is Anasūyā who is famous for her chastity in the three worlds. The earth, the Sun, the Fire and the Wind are afraid of her.
03/16-18: Once sage Nārada talks to Lord Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu and Lord Maheśa about Anasūyā who is devoted to her husband and is inclined to serve guests. Their consorts hear this and being intolerable faint. The three appease their wives considering them-selves as to be the best of the chaste women. Consequently the Trinity of gods assumes the form of guest and goes to test Anasūyā’s chastity.
03/19-25: Anasūyā sees them and understanding their originality, welcomes them and asks what they want. The gods ask for the suitable food without any delay. She offers the food, but the gods wish to accept the food, if she is clothless. She thinks of her penance and of her husband and hence she has no lust. In case of not following them, they may curse. She then puts off her clothes.
03/26-32: the three gods become innocent children by her chastity. The motherly milk flows out of her breasts. She feeds them. They drink her milk and get supreme relief. She places them in the cradle and sings songs.
03/33-43: Meanwhile sage Atri returns. She tells him the thing and the sage bows down and recites a hymn (34-36)[1] in honor of them. After hearing that the Trinity of gods assumes their original form and offers a boon to sage Atri who asks her wife for the boon. She tells him to request Lord Viṣṇu to take birth as their son. The power of Anasūyā’s chastity has changed the gods into infants and hence Atri names Viṣṇu, Brahmā and Maheśa as Datta, Candra and Durvasā respectively.
03/44: Lord Dattātreya is the complete manifestation, as He has offered (dātta) Himself fully.
03/45-47: Datta bestows the desire in the path of Yoga, Durvasā blesses the righteous ones and Candra (the Moon-god) nourishes the people. Lord Viṣṇu incarnates due to Durvasā’s curse and withdraws after the task is over, but Lord Dattātreya does not withdraw His body.
03/48-49: Nāmadhāraka spoke: Why does Durvasā curse Lord?
03/50-62: Siddha spoke: Unmanifest Lord Dattātreya manifests for the sake of the devotees. He narrates the story of king Ambarīṣa
In ancient times king Ambarīṣa practises the vow of the 11th day (ekādaśī) of the Hindu calendar. One day Durvasā comes to him for breaking his vow. He asks for meals, goes for a bath and delaying intentionally for skipping the stipulated time of vow. The king thinks that eating meals before offering it to the sage would be disregarding him. It would not affect the vow, if he drinks water. The sage returns and feels disregarded himself by the king by drinking water and therefore he would rotate in the cycle of births. King Ambarīṣa meditates upon Lord Viṣṇu who reveals there and requests the sage to pass the curse on Him. The sage does so, because the Lord is inaccessible on the earth (52-60).
03/61-62: The puraṇas talk about His incarnations. He has incarnated in the Kali Era as Śripādaśrivallabha and Nṛsiṃhasarasvati to fulfill the wishes of the devotees.