A Brahmin well versed in Vedas11 and Shastras[1] stayed on this island. His wife Ambika had a very good character but they had no children. Hence with great devotion, they went on a pilgrimage and visited a number of places. However, none of their children survived. Eventually, one son survived but due to their misfortune he was dull and not too smart since birth. Hence the Brahmin couple was very much dejected and unhappy.
The Brahmin thought that he would improve after the thread ceremony[2]. Hence he performed the sacred thread ceremony of his son. He tried to teach him all the religious duties of a Brahmin, but it was all in vain. The boy never remembered anything taught by his father. Due to anger, his father beat him severely. Unable to bear the pain, the boy would scream loudly. His mother Ambika used to writhe in pain by those screams. Eventually, Ambika lost her patience and spoke to her husband, “What is the use of beating him? He is dull and helpless by birth. Probably it might be the result of his deeds committed in past life. I cannot tolerate this severe beating. I am unable to bear his loud screams. Nobody can go against one’s destiny. It is God’s wish. In case you continue this beating, then I will die”. Out of frustration, the Brahmin stopped teaching and the beating stopped as a result. After this, the Brahmin always remained depressed and after a few days he passed away.
Ambika was struck with great calamity after the death of her husband. Now she was left without a husband and a dumb son. With great difficulty, Ambika continued her bare minimum subsistence working as a maidservant. Her son grew up, but people continued to condemn him. They would taunt him, “In the house of a learned father you are born as a dullard. Now you are troubling your mother. Either you work as a labourer somewhere or die by drowning yourself in the river. You are a stigma for the Brahmin community”.
Due to this severe reprimand, the boy became very miserable. He wept throughout the night and then decided to end his life by committing suicide. He informed his mother about his decision and said “Death is better than this life”. Ambika also thought that she should not live anymore. Therefore, both Ambika and her son went to the river, chanting the name of God, to commit suicide. At that very moment, Sripad Srivallabh was taking a bath in the river. Both Ambika and her son offered their obeisance to Sripad Srivallabh. Sripad Srivallabh, who possessed intuitive knowledge and compassion stopped them from committing suicide and asked them the reason for their action.
Ambika related him the long story about her life and said, “Oh! Lord! Now it has become extremely difficult for me and my son to live in this world anymore. There is no means for our continuance. Hence, we both have decided to end our lives by committing suicide. Due to our great fortune, we have been blessed with your Divine sight during the last moments of our life. At least in my next life, I should not be cheated. I may be blessed with a son like you who is worthy and well versed in Divine knowledge”. By so praying Ambika prostrated on the feet of Lord Sripad Srivallabh. The compassionate, Sripad Srivallabh spoke to her “It is a great sin to commit suicide. Hence abandon that thought and as a Brahmin woman, observe the religious vow of Pradosh[3]. Then your hearts desire will be fulfilled”.
Sripad Srivallabh, then called Ambika’s son and blessed him by placing his bountiful hand on his head and ordered him to recite Vedas. The Brahmin boy, who was considered as a dullard until now, suddenly started reciting the ‘Vedas’. People who witnessed this miracle glorified Lord Sripad Srivallabh. Once blessed by the Divine grace of Lord Dattatrey where would bad luck be? Ambika’s bad luck disappeared altogether. Ambika’s son started getting respect from the villagers. He got married and lived happily with children. Ambika continued to observe the religious vow of Pradosh with great devotion.
[1] Shastras: Shastra is a Sanskrit word used to denote education/knowledge in a general sense. The word is generally used as a suffix in the context of technical or specialised knowledge in a defined area of practice. For example, Astra shastra means, knowledge about “Handling of weapons”, Astra means weapons, and Shastra is their knowledge. The shastra is commonly used to mean a treatise or text written in explanation of some idea/topic. There are several types of shastras in the Hindu religion.
[2] Thread Ceremony: ‘Upanayanam’ perhaps better known outside India by the name “Sacred thread ceremony”, is a Hindu rite-of-passage ritual. Traditionally, the ceremony was performed to mark the point at which male children began their formal education. The ceremony is performed to young boys of 7+ years of age (and girls in some sects) from the three varnas of brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya. The youngster is taught during the ceremony the secret of life through Brahmopadesam (revealing the nature of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality) or the Gayatri mantra. He then becomes qualified for life as a student or Brahmacharya, as prescribed in the Manusmriti. The Sanskrit word Upanayanam is believed to be derived from the word nayanam meaning “eye”, prefixed with upa- (“auxiliary”), making for the interpretative meaning: bringing (the ultimate truth nearer in sight)
[3] Pradosh: Shivopasana, an observance in the worship of Lord Shiva on the evening of thirteenth lunar day