Dattatreya Jayanti falls during December – January on the full moon day of the month of Margaseersha. His story is told as follows.
Anusuya is quoted as the model of chastity. She was the wife of Atri Maharishi, a great sage and one of the seven foremost seers and sages. She was well established in the Pativrata Dharma, the main elements of which are devotion to husband and regard of him as God himself. She did severe austerities for a very long time in order to beget sons equal to Brahma, Vishnu and shiva, the Hindu Trinity.
Once, Saraswathi, lakshmi and parvati requested their husbands (the Trimurtis) to test the Pativrata Dharma of anusuya, by asking her to give them alms with an unclothed body.
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came to know of the austerity and desire of Anusuya. So, they agreed to their wives’ request, as they knew that by agreeing to it, they would also be fulfilling Anusuya’s wish. They put on the garb of Sannyasins and appeared before Anusuya, asking her to give them alms as specified by their wives. Anusuya was in a great dilemma. She could not say “No” to the Sannyasins. And she had to maintain her Pativrata Dharma also, which she would be violating if she appeared naked before men other than her own husband. She meditated on the form of her husband, took refuge at his feet and sprinkled over the three Sannyasins a few drops of water used for washing the feet of her husband. Immediately the Trimurtis were transformed into three babies on account of the glory of her chastity.
At the same time there was accumulation of milk in her breast. She thought that these children were her own and fed them with the milk, in a nude state and cradled them. She was eagerly expecting the arrival of her husband who had gone to have a bath. As soon as Atri Rishi returned home. Anusuya related all that had happened during his absence, placed the three children at his feet and worshipped him. But, Atri knew all this already through his divine vision. He embraced all the three children. They became one child, with two feet, one trunk, three heads and six hands. Atri Rishi blessed his wife and informed her that the Trimurtis themselves had assumed the forms of the three children to gratify her wish.
In the meantime, Narada went to Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati and informed them that their Parvati and informed them that their husbands had been turned into children through the power of the Pativrata Dharma of Anusuya and that they would not return unless they asked for their husbands as alms from Rishi Atri. Thus Saraswati, lakshmi and Parvati assumed the form of ordinary women, appeared before Atri and asked for their own husbands as alms. Atri duly honoured the three ladies and with folded palms, prayed to them that his wish and the wish of Anusuya should be fulfilled.
Then, the Trimurtis appeared in their true form before Atri and said, “This child will be a great sage according to your word and will be equal to us, according to the wish of Anusuya. The child will bear the name of Dattatreya.” Saying this they disappeared.
Avadhoot Guru Dattatreya’s father was the second son born out of Brahma’s eye was known as Atri. He was married to the daughter of Kadarma rishi, Anusuya. The couples were great devotees of God and while doing severe penance on the RIKsha Mountain got darshan of unified form Tridev who in return taught them the philosophy of distinction lessens. Maa Anusuiya was embodiment and glory of female species and even Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh bowed their heads her chastity. She was blessed with a divine son Dattatreya by the grace of trinity form of Para Brahma’s Brahma Vishnu and Mahesh.
The story about Bhagwan Dattatreya is found in almost all Paranas. He always remained in Avadhoot form and was master of Sri Vidya. His first disciple was Parasuram. In Dutt samhita, Kalpasutra of Parasuram and Tripura Rahasya, essence of teachings and knowledge of Bhagwan Dattatreya is recorded. It is widely belived that Dattatreya is still alive who takes morning bath at Varanasi, meditates in Devi temple of Kolhapur begs ‘Bhiksha’ in Mahuripur and takes rest Sahyadri. (According to Dattatreya Vajrakavach Known as Param Aachaya (Suprme master) of Siddha saints. Dattatreya was exponent of Brahma vidya who received education from 24 gurus of nature. Grinar Mountain is regarded as his Siddhapeeth and Dutt Samprsdaya is still found in south India.
1. Dattatreya is sad to be an avatar, an incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Therefore, one of his names is Trimurtis Avatar.
2. His main teaching is be detached Meditate on the absolute know thyself and be free.
3. Dattatreya is called Avadhuta, the one without clothes. This signifies his Vairagya detachment.
4. Dattatreya is pictured with the cow and the Dogs, symbol of the most and least sacred creatures: Everybody can attain enlightenment.
Birth of Lord Dattatreya
In the course of time, the Gods Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh took birth in the form of Atri Rishis sons namely Chandra [Moon], Dattatreya and Durvas Rishi. Amongst them, Chandra [Moon] and Durvas wanted to perform tapasya [penance] and hence they left home, assuring Atri Rishi that they would remain in microform in Dattatreya, who was to stay with him.
Thus the attribute less, formless Parabrahma, which had manifested itself in three different forms, integrated again in one form of Lord Dattatreya and enlightened people.
Out of the 24 incarnations of God described in Srimad Bhagawati (a Holy Scripture), the incarnation in the form of "Dattatreya Avadhoot" (Dattatreya the Ascetic) is the sixth one.
Lord Dattatreya - the Ascetic
The typical form in which the Lord Dattatreya appears is that of an ascetic with 3 heads & 6 arms (symbolizing the unification of the three Gods). His whole body is covered with Vibhuti (holy ash). He has an aura of a rising Sun around him and has lustrous Jatta (long hair) tied in a knot over his head. He is dressed in a deer skin and is a radiant and assuring figure for the devotees. His arms are seen to be holding various objects each of which has a spiritual connotation. Thus, he is seen with a Mala (rosary), Kamandalu (holy pot), Damaru (holy musical instrument), Trishul (trident), Shankh (conch) and Chakra (a holy weapon).
A cow behind him represents the mother earth and four dogs at his feet, the four Vedas (the Holiest Hindu scriptures). Lord Dattatreya 'the ascetic', is known to have disciples through the Yugas [cycle of creation], well known among them are Lord Parasuram, Sahasraarjun, Prahlad, Ayu Raja, Yadu, Alarka, Samvarta etc.
Lord Dattatreya 'the ascetic' helps the devotees in times of calamity and also leads them to Moksha (freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth) and hence is worshipped widely by the masses.
Twenty Four Gurus of Guru Dattatreya
1. Earth: Mother earth is my first Guru. I learnt patience and doing good to others from the earth. She taught me to hold those who trample me, scratch me, and hurt me lovingly in my heart, just as she does. She thought me to give them my best, remembering that their acts are normal and natural from their standpoint.
2. Water: My second Guru is water from which I learnt the quality of purity. Water, it is a force that contains life and purity. It cleanses whatever it touches and provides life to whoever drinks it. Water flows unceasingly. If it stops, it becomes stagnant. Keep moving is the lesson I learned from water.
3. Fire: From Fire I learnt to glow with the splendour of self knowledge and austerity. It burns everything, transforming it into flame. By consuming dead logs. It produces warmth and light. Thus, I learnt how to absorb everything that life brings and how to turn it into flame. This flame enlightens my life and in that light, others can walk safely.
4. Wind: I learnt from air to be without attachment though I move with many people in this world. Wind is my fourth guru. The wind moves unceasingly. Touching flowers and thorns alike, but never attaches itself to the objects it touches. Like the wind, I learnt not to prefer flower over thorns or friends over foes. Like the wind my goal is to provide freshness to all without becoming attached.
5. Sky: I learnt from the sky that the self is all pervading and yet if has no contact with any object. This all pervading and all embracing space is my fifty gurus. Space has room for all the Sun, Moon, and stars and yet, it remains untouched and unconfined. I, too, much have room for all the diversities and still remain unaffected by what I contain. All visible objects may have their rightful place within me, but they have no power to confine my consciousness.
6. Moon: I learnt from moon that the self is always perfect and changeless it is only the limiting adjuncts that cast shadows over it. The moon waxes and wanes and yet never loses its essence, totality, or shape. From watching the moon, I learned that waxing and waning rising and falling pleasure and pain, loss and gain are simply phases of life. While rising and falling, pleasure, I never lose awareness of my true self.
7. Sun: Just as a sun reflected in various pots of water appears as so many different reflections, so also Brahman appears different because of the bodies caused by the reflection through the mind. The sun is my seventh Guru. With its bright rays
8. Pigeons: My eight Gurus is a flock of pigeons. I once saw a pair of pigeons with their young birds. A fowler spread a net and caught the young birds. The mother pigeon was very much attached to her children. She fell into the net and was caught. From this I have learnt that attachment is the root cause of earthly bondage. One pigeon fell into a hunter’s net and cried in despair. Other pigeon tried to rescue it and got caught, too. From these pigeons, I learned that even a positive reaction, if it springs from attachment and emotion, can entangle and ensure.
9. Python: My ninth guru is the python who catches and eats its prey, and then doesn’t hunt again for a long time.The python does not move about for its food. It remains contented with whatever it gets, lying in one place from this I learnt to be unmindful of food and to be contented with I get eat. It taught me that once my need has been met, I must be satisfied and not make myself miserable running after the objects of my desire.
10. Ocean: just as the ocean remains unmoved, even though hundreds of rivers flow into it so also the wise man should remain unmoved among all the various sorts of temptations difficulties and troubles. The ocean, which is the abode of the waters. It receives and assimilates water from all the rivers in the world and never over flows its boundaries. It taught me that no matter what experiences I go through in life, no matter how many kicks and blows I receive, I must maintain my discipline.
11. Moth: To control the sense of sight and to fix the mind on the self is the lesson I learnt from the moth. The moth is my eleventh Guru. Drawn by light, it flies from its dwelling to sacrifice itself in the flame. It taught me once I see the dawn, I must overcome my fear soar at full speed, and plunge into the flame of knowledge to be consumed and transformed.
12. Black bee: I take a little food from another house and a little from another house and thus appease my hunger. I am not a burden on the house holder. This learnt from the black bee which gathers honey from various flowers. My twelfth Guru is a bumblebee who takes only the tiniest drops of nectar from the flowers. Before accepting even that much, it hums and hovers and dances, creating an atmosphere of joy around the flower. It not only sings the song of cheerfulness; it also gives more to the flowers than it takes. It pollinates the plants and helps them prosper by flying from one flower one mother to another. I Learned from the bumblebee that I should take only a little from nature and that I should do so cheerfully, enriching the source from which I receive sustenance.
13. Bees: collect honey with great trouble, but a hunter come along and take the honey away easily from this I learnt that it is useless to hoard things. My thirteenth Guru is honeybee who collects more nectar than it needs. It gathers nectar from different sources, swallows it, transforms it into honey, and brings it to the hive. It consumes only a bit of what it gathers, sharing the rest with others. Thus I should gather wisdom from the teachers of all disciplines and process the knowledge that I gain. I must apply the knowledge that is conducive to my growth, but I must be ready to share everything I know with others.
14. Elephant: The male elephant, blinded by lust, falls into a pit covered with grass, even at the sight of a female elephant therefore, one should destroy lust. Once I saw a wild elephant being trapped. A tame female elephant in season was the bait. Sensing her presence, the wild male emerged from its domain and fell into a pit that had been cleverly concealed with branched and heaps of leaves. Once caught, the wild elephant was tamed to be used by others. This elephant is my fourteenth guru because he taught me to be careful with my passions and desires. Worldly charms arouse our sensory impulses and, while chasing after the sense cravings, the mind gets trapped and enslaved, even though it is powerful.
15. Deer: The deer is enticed and trapped by the hunter through its love of music. Therefore, one should never listen to lewd songs. The deer, with its keen sense of hearing. It listens intently and is wary of all noises, but is lured to its doom by the melody of the deer hunter’s flute. Like the deer, we keep our ears alert for every bit of news, rumor, and gossip, and are sceptical about much that we hear. But we become spellbound by certain words, which, due to our desires, attachments, cravings and vasantas (subtle impressions from the past), we delight to her. This tendency creates misery for others and ourselves.
16. Fish: Just as a fish that is covetous of food falls an easy victim to the bait so also the man who is greedy for food loses his independence and easily gets ruined. The fish who swallows a baited hook and is caught by the fisherman. This world is like bait. As long as I remember the episode of the fish, I remain free of the hook.
17. Pingala: There was a dancing girl named pingata being tired of looking for customers, one night she became hopeless. She had to be contented with what traffic she had that day and retired to a sound sleep. I learnt from this fallen woman the lesson that the abandonment of hope leads to contentment. A prostitute who knows that she doesn’t love her customers, nor do they love her. Yet she waits for them and, when they come, enacts the drama of love. She isn’t satisfied with the artificial love she gives and receives, nor with the payment she is given. I realized that all humans are like prostitutes and the world, like the customers, is enjoying us. The payment is always inadequate and we feel dissatisfied. Thus, I became determined nor to live like a prostitute. Instead, I will dignity and self respect not expecting this world to give me either material or internal satisfaction, but to find it myself by going within.
18. Raven: A raven picked up a piece of flesh. It was pursued and beaten by other birds. It dropped the peace of flesh and attained peace and rest. From this I learnt that a man in the world undergoes all sorts of troubles and miseries when he runs after sensual pleasures and that he becomes as happy as the bird when he abandons them. My eighteenth guru is a little bird who was flying with a worm in its beak. Larger birds flew after him and began pecking him. They stopped only when the little bird dropped the worm. Thus, I learned that the secret of survival lies in renunciation, not in possession.
19. Child: The child who sucks milk is free from all cares, worries and anxieties and anxieties, and is always cheerful. I learnt the virtue of cheerfulness from the child. My nineteenth Guru is a baby that cries when it is hungry and stops when it suckles at its mother’s breast. When the baby is full, it stops feeding and nothing its mother does can induce it to take more milk. I learned from this baby to demand only when I really need. When it’s provided, I must take only what I require and then turn my face away.
20. Maiden: The maiden was husking paddy. Her bangles made much noise and there were visitors from her husband’s house to silence the bangles, she removed them, one by one. Even when there were just two, they produced some noise. When she had only one, it did not make any noise and she was happy. I learnt from the maiden that living among many would create discard, disturbance, dispute and quarrel. Thus, I learned that wherever these is a crowed, there is noise, disagreement and dissension. Even among two there might be unnecessary words or strife. The ascetic as the Sannyasin should remain alone in solitude.
21. Serpent: A serpent does not build own hole. For itself, but who rests in holes other creatures have abandoned, or curls up in the hollow of a tree for a while, and then moves on. From this snake, I learned to adjust myself to my environment and enjoy the resources of nature without encumbering myself with a permanent home. Creature in nature move constantly, continually abandoning their previous dwellings. Therefore, while floating along the current of nature, I find plenty of places to rest. Once I am rested, I move on. It dwells in the holes dug in the holes dug out by others. Even so, am ascetic should not build a home for himself. The should live in a temple or a cave built by others.
22. Arrow maker: I learnt from the arrow maker the quality of intense concentration of mind. My twenty second Gurus is an arrow maker who was so absorbed in shaping his arrowheads that the king and his entire army passed without attracting his attention. Thus I learnt from the arrow makes to be absorbed in the task at hand, no matter how big or small. The more one pointed my focus, the greater my absorption, and the greater my absorption, the more subtle my awareness. The goal is subtle, and can only be grasped by subtle awareness.
23. Spider: The spider pours out of its mouth long threads and weaves them into cobwebs. Then it gets itself entangled in the net of its own making. Even so, man makes a net of his own ideas and gets entangled in it. The wise man should, therefore, abandon all worldly thoughts and think Brahman only. My twenty third Gurus is a little spider who built itself a nice cozy web. When a larger spider chased it, it rushed to take refuge in its web. But it ran so fast that it got entangled and was swallowed by the bigger spider. Thus, I learned that we create webs for ourselves by trying to build a safe haven, and as we race along the threads of these webs, we become entangled and are consumed. There is no safety to be found in the complicated webs of our actions.
24. Beetle: The beetle catches hold of worm, puts it in its nest and gives it a sting. The poor worm, always fearing the return of the beetle and sting and thinking constantly of the beetle, becomes a beetle itself. I learnt from the beetle and the worm to turn myself into the self by contemplating constantly on it; thus I gave up all attachment to the body and attained liberation. The king was highly impressed by listening to these enlightening words of lord Dattatreya. He abandoned the world and practised constant meditation on the self. Twenty four Gurus is a worm who was caught by a songbird and placed in its nest. As the bird began singing, the worm became so absorbed in the song in the face of death reminded me that I, too, must develop the art of listening so that I my become absorbed in the eternal sound, nada, that is always within me.
