Dattatreya granting boon of victory to Indra deva

Dattatreya Ashrama: Dattatreya granting boon of victory to Indra deva:

(Markandeya Purana - 16)

Lord Dattatreya

• Meditation: I meditate on the Dattatreya Avatara of Lord Vishnu.

• Dattatreya granting boon of victory to Indra deva: Once the devas were defeated and ousted by the daityas led by Jambha. The devas accompanied by Valakhilyas and the rishis approached guru Brihaspati. Brihaspati told them to propitiate Dattatreya, the son of sage Atri.

The devas went to the hermitage of Lord Dattatreya and lauded him. They offered him food, garlands and other presents. Dattatreya asked them what they wanted. The devas told them that they have been defeated by Jambha and they want a means of deliverance. Dattatreya said that he is drinking and he is not of subdued senses. So, how can they expect help from him? The devas said that he is sinless since he has the light of knowledge in his heart. Dattatreya said that by constant company with that woman she has become impure now. The devas said that, that woman is the mother of the world and she is not depraved. She is like the Sun's halo. Dattatreya became pleased and told the devas to bring the daityas within the range of his glance so that he will consume their strength.

The devas accordingly challenged the daityas and being defeated fled to the hermitage of Dattatreya. The daityas pursued them there, but seeing Devi Lakshmi, they became enchanted and decided to carry her. Leaving the devas they carried her away on their heads in a palanquin. Dattatreya smilingly said that now Lakshmi will desert them being stationed on their heads. Dattatreya said that: when stationed on the foot, Lakshmi bestows habitation. When stationed on the thigh, Lakshmi bestows clothing and wealth. When stationed on the private part, Lakshmi bestows offsprings. When stationed on the chest, Lakshmi bestows offsprings. When stationed on the heart, Lakshmi fulfills the wishes of people. When stationed on the neck, she bestows loved relatives and wives. When stationed on the face, Lakshmi bestows beauty, command over word and poetry. But when she is mounted on the head, she will desert that person. Therefore, now Lakshmi will desert these daityas. Also, he has made them impotent. Again by touching another man's wife, their merit is consumed. Therefore the devas should attack and defeat them now. The devas according took up their arms and defeated the daityas. Thereafter, being freed from affliction, they prostrated before Lord Dattatreya and returned to the heaven.

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