In ancient times, when Dharma flourished in its purity, there dwelt the exalted Sage Atri and his radiant consort Anasūyā, whose name itself became the measure of chastity and devotion. By serving her husband, who was ever absorbed in tapas, Anasūyā attained a brilliance of spiritual power that illumined the three worlds. Beholding her purity, the celestial Goddesses grew apprehensive and sought to test her. Thus, they approached the Holy Trinity—Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva—and requested their descent for the trial of her virtue.
According to the law of the householder, a guest is to be received with food and honour. On a certain day, when Atri had gone to bathe in the river, the Trinity came to Anasūyā’s hermitage in the guise of wandering ascetics and asked for alms. As no food was prepared, she sought a little time. The ascetics agreed but declared a severe condition: the meal must be served without any garment upon her body. To refuse a saint is sinful; to violate modesty is unrighteous. Standing at the junction of dharma and dharma, Anasūyā invoked her inner purity. Taking consecrated water in her palm, she sprinkled it upon the three ascetics, whereupon they became three infants. Lifting them to her lap, she fed them milk from her own breast, thus fulfilling the condition without impurity. Delighted, the Gods resumed their forms and offered her a boon. She prayed, “May You three become one and be born of my womb as my son.” Blessing her, they entered her womb as one essence, and thus Dattātreya took birth. When Atri returned, he perceived all by his inward vision and rejoiced.
Lord Dattatreya is classically depicted with one body, three heads, and six hands, accompanied by four dogs, the divine cow Kāmadhenu, and the wish-fulfilling Kalpavṛkṣa or Audumbara tree. The four dogs symbolise the four Vedas—Ṛg, Yajur, Sāma, and Atharva—while Kāmadhenu and the Kalpavṛkṣa represent the fulfilment of sincere devotees’ wishes. In His six hands, He holds a rosary, drum, discus, conch, trident, and water-pot, each representing an aspect of the Trinity.
As Shiva, He holds the śūla, the trident that destroys the ego, and the ḍamaru, the drum that awakens beings from the deep sleep of ignorance. These are Shiva’s emblems, and through them Datta calls souls onward on the path.
As Vishnu, He bears the śaṅkha, whose sound is the primordial Om—the fusion of A (creation), U (preservation) and M (dissolution). Every breath silently chants this mantra as “So’ham,” the recognition “I am the Universe; I am the Divine.” When the conch resounds, ignorance is dispelled. On another hand, He carries the chakra, symbol of the endless cycle of karma, which Vishnu removes from devotees who surrender to Him.
As Brahma, He holds the japa-mālā, whose beads symbolise countless universes under His governance and also signify His perpetual meditation on Om. The kamaṇḍalu He carries contains not ordinary water but the nectar of wisdom through which beings attain exalted states.
As Kṛṣṇa was the Yuga-Ācārya for Dvāpara Yuga, so Dattātreya became the Supreme Teacher of Treta Yuga. At His birth, He manifested the three faces of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva. At the request of His mother, these three condensed into one, yet the essence of all three remained within Him. Thus, He stands as the embodiment of the Absolute, which transcends, yet contains, the powers of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
Though accounts of His birth vary, the scriptures speak with one voice regarding His life: Dattātreya was the wandering Avadhūta, naked of possessions, roaming the regions between the Narmadā and the southern lands, absorbed solely in the search for the Supreme. Near the place now called Ganagapur and upon Mount Girnar, He attained full realisation; His sacred footprints remain there even now.
When the era of Kali was about to begin, and Śrī Kṛṣṇa prepared to withdraw His manifested body, He foresaw that Dharma would wane and beings would fall into violence, greed and lust. Desiring a lineage that would preserve wisdom in the dark age, He consulted Dattātreya. Then, at Datta’s behest, the Nava Nārāyaṇas, the nine Nath Siddhas, descended from the celestial realms to take birth on Earth. Thus was established the Nātha Sampradāya, bearing Datta’s seal of liberation.
The Avadhūta Tradition, sprung from Dattātreya, remains formless, uncodified, and free of all binding structure. Its Masters—each an emanation of Datta—teach without pattern, speak without doctrine, and respond only to the inner need of those who approach them. Empty of self, they are vessels of the Eternal, and through them the living presence of Dattātreya continues to flow upon the Earth.
24 Gurus of Lord Dattatreya
One prominent story associated with Lord Dattatreya is his preaching to his disciple King Yadu about his twenty-four Gurus of nature, from whom he learned profound lessons about spirituality and life.
These Gurus include:
1. Prithvi (Earth): Patience and doing good to others in one's entire life can be learnt from Mother Earth.
2. Vaayu (Air): Air is symbolic of the qualities of non-attachment and stainlessness.
3. Akasha (Sky): Sky represents the all-pervading nature and about the Self that remains uncontaminated by the qualities that arise in the elements forming the body.
4. Jala (Water): Water represents purity, smoothness and sweetness, so one should have a pure heart, speak sweet words and be full of love for all beings.
5. Agni (Fire): Even though fire consumes all things indiscriminately, it does not become unholy, so too, one should have knowledge, should be a tapasvin, be undesirable and remain unaffected by what others offer him.
6. Chandra (Moon): Waxing and waning are only for Moon's lustre; likewise, the delinquencies of the six senses are of the body only and not of the Atman.
7. Surya (Sun): Sun absorbs water from Earth with its rays and returns the water to Earth at an appropriate time. Similarly, one should accept the objects of the senses without any enthusiasm for them.
8. Kapota (Pigeon): A pigeon develops too much attachment or friendship and ends up in affliction. So, attachments lead to one's downfall and waste of precious lifespan.
9. Ajagara (Python): Like a python, one should forego even sleep and food, and remain firmly devoted to the Self.
10. Samudra (Ocean): An ocean does not let even a small leaf land on its surface, so too one should not allow even the smallest desire or agitation to enter into the mind. Moreover, many rivers flow into an ocean, yet it does not overflow. Likewise, one should not be overjoyed when desires are fulfilled or be depressed when they do not materialise.
11. Moth: Deluded by the flames of fire and expecting to enjoy comforts, the moth rushes towards the flames and gets burnt. So, man must be careful not to fall victim to the attractions of a woman or to the delusion caused by the sense organs.
12. Bhramara (Bee): A bee gathers nectar from almost every flower, so too one should study all scriptures, skilfully grasp the essence and adapt it in the search for the Self.
13. Gaja (Elephant): Although the elephant is very strong and intelligent, it gets trapped due to its lustfulness. So too, one should know that lust is dangerous.
14. Honey-thief: The honey-thief contrives and steals the honey that is hoarded by honey bees. Therefore, if a person is stingy and hides his wealth without enjoying it himself or allowing others to share it, he risks being robbed by someone.
15. Deer: The hunter's music makes the innocent deer stand still and listen with closed eyes. Sage Rushyashrunga became a victim of a dancing girl attracted to her music and dance. So too, one should not be beguiled by music or dancing.
16. Fish: The uncontrolled tongue of a fish makes it the prey of the fisherman's hook. Therefore, a fish teaches that controlling and conquering the tongue is very important.
17. Harlot named Pingala: Pingala, a harlot, attained marvellous tranquillity, peace of mind and a sound sleep by giving up the desire for wealth and lustful pleasures. So, desire is sorrow, and the absence of wants is the highest happiness.
18. Osprey: A little bird holding a bit of meat gets attacked by a bigger and stronger bird. When the bird drops the meat, the other bird follows to get the meat piece. So too, if one keeps a thing coveted by others, one will be subjected to severe anguish, and therefore it is wise to give up such things voluntarily.
19. Child: A little child is worry-free and is always happy playing by himself. One should also remain happy like a child.
20. Maiden: When a maiden pounds the paddy, her bangles make a jingling sound. To avoid any sound, she retains only one bangle on each wrist. Likewise, quarrels ensue when too many people gather in one place.
21. Arrow-maker: An arrow-maker has utmost concentration in making arrows. Likewise, one should sit with total focus and practice Yoga.
22. Snake: A serpent is always vigilant and is never absent-minded. Unlike a man, a snake does not waste its time building a shelter and happily lives in an ant-hill deserted by ants.
23. Spider: A spider stirs the threads in its stomach and with that material weaves its web, plays with it and finally swallows it. The process of creation is also akin to a spider's web.
24. Insect: Like how the form of an insect that stares hard at a dragon-fly undergoes a change, so too, one attains the form of those on whom one concentrates the mind completely. If a small insect can transform its body, even a man possessing intellect and the faculty of meditation and concentration can certainly be liberated.
Lord Dattatreya's teachings promote detachment from material desires and ego, emphasising the path of self-realisation and the realisation of the divine presence within oneself and all beings. He encourages seekers to learn from nature, observing the qualities and lessons it offers, and recognising the divinity inherent in all aspects of creation. The ultimate teaching of Lord Dattatreya is to transcend dualities and merge with the eternal consciousness, realising the oneness of all existence.
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