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 Sea.”
What happens if you throw any object in the sea, like the sea ball or a leaf?
"Even though the sea is large it does not allow even a small leaf to remain on its surface. It drives it away to the shore. If it did not do this it would have dried up by now.
A person should not allow even the smallest desire or agitation to enter his mind. If he is careless, he can be ruined by it."
Therefore I learnt from the Sea even the least disturbance should not be allowed a foothold.
How deep is the sea?
Near to shore the sea is shallow and you can safely bathe. As you go further out to sea it can be thousands of meters deep. The Sea is very deep even though it does not appear so.
What can you find in the sea?
There are a number of animals that live in the sea. Can you tell about some of the animals that you find in the sea? What else do you find in the sea? Sometimes there are plants and gems in the sea.
The sea does not reveal the number of creatures or gems that are hidden in it.
In the same way, a person should NOT show off his powers or express his feelings.
Many rivers flow into the Sea yet it does not dry up in summer when the river waters decrease nor does it overflow in the rainy season. It always maintains its level. Just as the ocean never oversteps its boundaries, a person should NOT transgress the boundaries of morality, swayed by passions.
He should not allow others to know his beginning or end.
He should not be overjoyed when his desires are fulfilled or depressed when he does not get what he wants.
I learnt from the Sea to practice equanimity and be steadfast in my devotion to the Self.
