Once Dattatreya was sitting in meditation when King Yadu passed by and saw this young person sitting unaffected, happy and calm.

King Yadu approached Dattatreya and humbly asked, “ How do you remain unaffected by troubles, happy and calm? Why do you always seem to be floating in bliss (happiness)? What has made this possible?”

 Dattatreya replied, “O King Yadu I have observed the world closely and obtained a little knowledge from a number of gurus (teachers). Listen carefully! I will tell you what I have learnt.”

Datta’s first Guru (teacher) was the Earth.

Datta said, “I learnt (i) forgiveness (ii) doing good to others and (iii) patience from the Earth.

Even though people dig into her or kick her, Mother Earth does not wince or get angry. She always remains patient.

 I learnt that a student should possess the virtue of forgiveness in the same way. In addition, I learnt from the Earth which supports everything, that one’s entire life should be dedicated to doing good to others.”

Lesson learned from the Earth further illustrated through life experiences