Mahasati Anasuya

Meanwhile in heaven the Goddesses were awaiting the return of their husbands. At first they were happy that the Gods had not returned immediately because it meant that they were making a sincere attempt and who could thwart the wishes of the Gods. But as days turned to weeks and weeks to months they began to get worried. Ultimately they descended to Earth and went to Anasuya. They asked Anasuya if she had seen their husbands.

As soon as Anasuya saw Laxmi, Parvati and Saraswati she realised that the brahmins were the three Supreme Gods themselves, and they had tried to test her at the instance of their jealous wives. She pointed to three toddlers lying in a crib and said, "Each of you may identify her husband and take him away." The Goddesses were aghast. They threatened Anasuya for joking with them in this manner. Anasuya calmly narrated the entire incident and the Goddesses were convinced that the infants were indeed their husbands. "Our husbands are no use to us in this form," they said. Anasuya sarcastically replied, "Wait for them to grow up. But then you would become old and be of no use to them."

The three Goddesses fell at the feet of Mahasati Anasuya and begged her forgiveness. Anasuya graciously forgave them and restored the Gods to their original form. The Gods too apologised and return to heaven with their consorts.

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