Dattatreya granting boon to Kartavirya Arjuna

Dattatreya Ashrama: Dattatreya granting boon to Kartavirya Arjuna:

(Markandeya Purana - 16 to 17)

Lord Dattatreya

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

• Dattatreya granting boon to Kartavirya Arjuna: (There was a king named Kritavirya who had a son named Arjuna. Therefore, the son was known as Kartavirya Arjuna.) When Kritavirya departed to heaven, the ministers and family priests invited Kartavirya Arjuna to become the king. However, Kartavirya Arjuna hesitated because if he is not able to protect the subjects due to which taxes are collected, he will incur a great sin. If a king is not able to protect the subjects from thieves (due to which taxes are collected), it is the same as theft. Only a person who had performed austerities and became a yogi, has the power to protect the earth. Understanding his resolve, Garga muni told Kartavirya Arjuna to propitiate Dattatreya, a yogi and a portion of Lord Vishnu. Then Garga muni told Kartavirya Arjuna the story of how Indra deva previously gained his abode by propitiating Dattatreya.

Hearing this, Kartavirya Arjuna went to the hermitage of Dattatreya and served him in various ways. He brought garland, sandal, fruits and water. He messaged his feet and served food. Dattatreya said that he is an object of reproach since he is drinking liquor and has a wife with him. So how can he expect to benefit from him? Recalling the words of Garga muni, Kartavirya Arjuna replied that the Lord is resorting to illusory means to beguile him. He is sinless and the lady is the power behind the world. Dattatreya became pleased and told the king to ask for a boon. Kartavirya Arjuna said that if the Lord is pleased with him, let him grant the power to protect the subjects, knowledge of dharma and strength of thousand arms to vanquish the enemies. Let his path be unimpeded in hills, air, water etc. Only a superior man should be able to defeat him. Dattatreya said that he will receive all these by his grace and will become a chakravarti king.

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