Devi Anusuya is revered for her austerities and miraculous powers. She is the daughter of Sage Kardama and his wife Devahuti. And sister of Sage Kapila, who was also her guru. Her marriage with Rishi Atri is a milestone in mythology because Devi Ansuya is the ultimate consort, to an extent that even the goddesses are envious of her. There is a story about how goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati forced their spouses to test her chastity and the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh) arrived at her doorstep in the disguise of sadhus seeking bhiksha. Devi Ansuya is alone at her home in the southern periphery of the forest of Chitrakuta but invites the sages indoors and serves them a meal. The sadhus – want to bathe before food and put a condition that the householder should personally bathe all three in a state of undress. Devi Ansuya senses that they are no ordinary sadhus and they are here with a mission. She does not want to decline them and so, with her miraculous powers, transforms the sadhus into babies, bathes them, feeds them, and plays with them.
Hours later when the spouses don’t return home, Lord Narad reveals to goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati about what has transpired. They are ashamed of their behaviour and arrive at Chitrakut to claim their spouses. Devi Ansuya transforms the babies into Trinity again and Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh grant Devi Ansuya a boon each, a promise that they will be born as her sons, Dattatreya, Durvasa and Chandra. When Rishi Atri arrived home late evening and learnt what had occurred, he was proud of his consort. Ever since, Devi Ansuya is extolled as Sati Ansuya. In Ramayan, the couple plays an important role in guiding Lord Ram into Dandvan, the dark forest occupied by the demons. Lord Ram is able to fight the demons because of the blessings of sage Atri and Sati Ansuya gifts special ornaments to Sita that maintain her beauty forever.
To be continued