The perfect wife.  The envy of the Women’s Ashram Association.  That is how everyone knew Anasuya Rishi.  She was always well dressed and had a recipe for baked beans that was a favorite at all the potlucks.  Moreover, she was so chaste that she didn’t even use a microwave.  Everyone desired to be like her.  Especially Parvati, Laxmi, and Saraswati.  Anasuya simply desired a family.

    Out of jealousy, the three divas sent their husbands- Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma- to corrupt her innocence.  Under the guise of a sage, the three men visited the Rishi home in the cul-de-sac.  The hospitable host invited them to stay for dinner.  But, the guests pleaded, “We are suffering because of a special fast.  Our hunger can only be satisfied by a meal served in the nude.”

    Anasuya was shocked!  She prayed to Brahman for guidance.  She loved her husband too much to be naked in front of another man.  From her wholesomeness, the three visitors turned into infants.  Then she undressed and nursed the babies to sleep.  After putting her clothes back on she laid them side-by-side on her bed and continued with household chores until her husband returned.  Atri adored the babies and approved of her actions.    

    Soon, the three women came looking for their husbands.  Opening the door, Anasuya instantly understood the situation.  Passing a test of virtue, she restored Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma to their divine forms.  All were impressed with Anasuya’s purity and Atri’s penance.  The three celestial couples delighted at the love they saw in these two.  They granted the Rishi’s one boon.  Holding hands, the couple ask, “Oh Trimurtis, please bless us with a son.  We long for a child to share in our love.”  Thus the attributes of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma converged into the single form of Dhattatreya, the son of Atri and Anasuya.

    The bedtime ritual is the same, despite the royal guests sleeping down the hall in the guestroom. Atri pulls back the covers and climbs into the soft, warm bad. Anasuya emerges from the bathroom, her soft gray hair tight with pin curls and beauty cream covering her face. Atri sees her as lovely as the day they walked down the aisle so many years ago. “My bride, tell me, what do think about Rama and Sita?”

    “Oh, they are such a lovely couple. True love like theirs graces Earth so rarely. They remind me of us, our journey. Remember when I joined you here by Five-Apsarasa-Lake?” Anasuya cuddles next to her husband and pulls the covers tight under her chin to keep warm in the cool night air. “Sita is so devoted to Rama.  It is not easy for a woman as delicate as her here in Dandaka Forest. I can tell she is nervous about what lies ahead, but she bravely follows her husband, trusting in his strength and wisdom. Their adventure is far from over. I gave her a few gifts to remind her she always has friends- in the forest and in heaven.”

    “You really are ‘kindness' dear," Atri replies.  "You gave when you have so little yourself.  The gods will surely smile on you. Rama is also deeply in love with Sita. He is committed to his dharma, but I am afraid Love might cloud his judgment. But the brother, Lakshmana, has a strong level head. He is loyal.  When trouble crosses their path, their love will . . . Ana? Ana? Anasuya?” Atri smiles at the sound of his wife sleeping. “It has been a long evening entertaining destiny. Goodnight, sweetheart.” With a kiss on her forehead, he closes his eyes to join her in slumber.