Dattatreya is a renowned ascetic and is said to be a partial avatar (incarnation) of the deity Vishnu in the religious books known as the puranas.
Many contemporary ascetics see him as a paradigm for asceticism, and Dattatreya has been worshipped as a god in a number of locales connected with ascetics, including Mount Girnar.
Anasuya is Dattatreya's mother, and he is born after she has performed a huge favor for the gods.
According to legend, a devoted woman called Silavati curses the sun not to rise, causing tremendous distress among the earth's animals.
Anasuya persuades Silavati to lift her curse, and the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva express their gratitude by telling her that she may ask for whatever she desires.
Anasuya wishes that each of her sons be born as one of her sons, which is granted: Vishnu is born as Dattatreya, Shiva is born as Durvasas, and Brahma is born as Chandra.
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