Dattatreya

In the religious texts known as the
puranas, Dattatreya is a famous ascetic
and is considered to be a partial avatar
(incarnation) of the god Vishnu. Many
modern ascetics consider him a paradigm for asceticism, and Dattatreya has
actually been installed as a deity in certain places associated with ascetics,
such as Mount Girnar. Dattatreya’s
mother is Anasuya, and he is born after
she has done a great favor to the gods.
According to the story, a faithful wife
named Silavati curses the sun not to
rise, and in consequence the creatures
of the earth are greatly troubled.
Anasuya succeeds in persuading Silavati
to recall her curse, and in their gratitude, the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and
Shiva inform her that she may ask for
whatever she wants. Anasuya requests
that each be born as one of her sons,
and this is granted: Vishnu is born as
Dattatreya, Shiva as Durvasas, and
Brahma as Chandra.