Anasuya means one who is free from jealousy and envy. She is
believed to have had miraculous powers. She was the wife of Sage Atri and
mother of Sage Dattatreya. It is stated in the Ramayana that Anasuya
through her piety and intense austerities had saved earth from a life
threatening drought.
Legend has it that once there was no rain for 10 years. The
whole world was suffering. Rivers were all dried up. Even River Ganga got dried
up.
Then Anasuya used her Tapa Shakti (powers as the result of
tapas, purity and austerities) to bear fruits and vegetables. The Tapa Shakti
of Anasuya made Ganga to flow again.
The story symbolically states the greatness of women and the
role they play on earth. Without Her nothing is born. It is because of her that
all that is here is there. Without her creation comes to an end.
The story of Anasuya is found in Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya
Kanda, Cantos 117 and 118. The Cantos contains Sri Ram and Mata
Sita reaching the Ashram of Sage Atri. Here they met Anasuya and Sage Atri. The
conversation between Mata Sita and Anasuya contains valuable lessons.