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 said, “O King Yadu, listen carefully to what I learnt from the Boa Constrictor.”

“The boa-constrictor does not go out hunting for food but sits quietly waiting for the right animal to wander by. It devours whatever creature approaches it, to appease its hunger. It does not go out of its way in search of a prey.

Datta learnt from the boa-constrictor the following

 (i) Food whether tasty or dry, much or little comes providentially to everyone and one should be content with it. If food is not available one should simply fast.

(ii) Whatever one deserves, one gets based on past karma (actions).

(iii) Whatever comes without effort should be accepted spontaneously with contentment.

(iv) A person in search of wisdom should refrain from expending physical, sensory and intellectual powers to seek pleasures.

After eating a large animal the boa-constrictor will rest for a week.

Datta learnt from the boa-constrictor that a spiritual seeker should shake off even sleep and remain alert in a state of incessant contemplation of the Self. I learnt all this from the Boa-constrictor.

Lesson learned from the Boa Constrictor further illustrated