LORD DATTATREYA The epic of Bhagvatha says that Dattatreya is the sixth avatar of twenty-one avataras of Mahavishnu and the miraculous fourth avatar of Srimannarayana. The avatar of Lord Datta is older than the Dasavataras. All the avatars had a specific task to accomplish before they departed. But Datta is ever present and ever true. The unique characteristic of this avatar is that He came to bestow wisdom on everyone and help them to tread on the right path. The mainstay of this ‘Marga’ (path) is not to terminate the evildoers but to reform, train, fine tune and make them follow the path of knowledge. Datta is called Gurudeva, the Supreme Teacher. No other avatar has this attribute. There is a story in ‘Brahmanda Purana’ regarding the birth of Dattatreya. Atri was one of the saints born out of the mind of Brahma. His wife Anasuya was one of the nine daughters born to Prajapati Kardama and Devahoothi. Brahma sought the help of his son Atri in the process of creation. To acquire more power Atri went to ‘Ruksha’ Mountain along with his wife Anasuya. There he did severe ‘Tapas’ (penance) for hundreds of years. The fire of his penance began to spread to the three worlds and set them ablaze. The Trimurthis appeared before him, ready to fulfill his desire. But Atri exclaimed, “I meditated on One Supreme Being to get Him as our son who is devoid of all attributes but why did you Three grace me? The Trimurthis replied, “Though you are mentally above the Trigunas, you meditated with a special wish so your meditation became Saguna and that is why we three were compelled to appear before you. We want to adopt ourselves to you. You will have three illustrious sons. They will spread your glory to all parts of the world.” Saying this, they disappeared. There are two more stories in the Brahmanda Purana regarding the birth of Dattatreya. Kausika, a Brahmin afflicted with leprosy, lived in Prathishthanapura. Sumathi, his virtuous wife treated him more than god. One day he saw a courtesan passing through the street. Infatuated by her beauty he desired her and pestered his wife to arrange a union with her. After it became dark, the virtuous Sumathi seated her husband in a basket and carrying it on her head, started walking. On the way she happened to pass by the great saint Mandavya. The leg of Kausika accidentally hurt Mandavya. He became furious. “Let the head of the person who inflicted great pains to me, break into thousand pieces by the sunrise of tomorrow” cursed Mandavya. Agitated by the curse Sumathi retorted, “Let the sun not rise tomorrow.” She came back to her house along with her husband. There was no sunrise the following day. The world groped in darkness. Daily rituals and observances stopped. People were perturbed. Gods and goddesses prayed to Lord Brahma to prevent the impending disaster. “Sun could not rise due to a curse of a virtuous woman. Only another virtuous woman can make the sun rise. Anasuya, the consort of saint Atri is the greatest of all virtuous women. Go and pray to her. Only she can avert this danger”, said Brahma. The gods sought refuge in mother Anasuya. She went to Sumathi and convinced her to repeal the curse. The sun rose in the east, but immediately Kausika died. His head broke into pieces. Mother Anasuya with her power brought life back into Kausika. He was relieved of his dreaded disease too. Delighted by the divine, super human and rare act of Anasuya, Trimurthis appeared and granted a boon. She submitted to Trimurthis that she wanted to have them as her sons and through whom a new light of wisdom would be spread to dispel the darkness of human sorrow. “So be it”, uttered the Trimurthis and disappeared.
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Transcript
LORD DATTATREYA
The epic of Bhagvatha says that Dattatreya is the sixth avatar of twenty-one avataras of Mahavishnu and
the miraculous fourth avatar of Srimannarayana. The avatar of Lord Datta is older than the Dasavataras.
All the avatars had a specific task to accomplish before they departed. But Datta is ever present and ever
true. The unique characteristic of this avatar is that He came to bestow wisdom on everyone and help
them to tread on the right path. The mainstay of this ‘Marga’ (path) is not to terminate the evildoers but
to reform, train, fine tune and make them follow the path of knowledge. Datta is called Gurudeva, the
Supreme Teacher. No other avatar has this attribute.
There is a story in ‘Brahmanda Purana’ regarding the birth of Dattatreya. Atri was one of the saints born
out of the mind of Brahma. His wife Anasuya was one of the nine daughters born to Prajapati Kardama
and Devahoothi. Brahma sought the help of his son Atri in the process of creation. To acquire more
power Atri went to ‘Ruksha’ Mountain along with his wife Anasuya. There he did severe ‘Tapas’
(penance) for hundreds of years. The fire of his penance began to spread to the three worlds and set
them ablaze. The Trimurthis appeared before him, ready to fulfill his desire. But Atri exclaimed, “I
meditated on One Supreme Being to get Him as our son who is devoid of all attributes but why did you
Three grace me? The Trimurthis replied, “Though you are mentally above the Trigunas, you meditated
with a special wish so your meditation became Saguna and that is why we three were compelled to
appear before you. We want to adopt ourselves to you. You will have three illustrious sons. They will
spread your glory to all parts of the world.” Saying this, they disappeared.
There are two more stories in the Brahmanda Purana regarding the birth of Dattatreya. Kausika, a
Brahmin afflicted with leprosy, lived in Prathishthanapura. Sumathi, his virtuous wife treated him more
than god. One day he saw a courtesan passing through the street. Infatuated by her beauty he desired
her and pestered his wife to arrange a union with her. After it became dark, the virtuous Sumathi seated
her husband in a basket and carrying it on her head, started walking. On the way she happened to pass
by the great saint Mandavya. The leg of Kausika accidentally hurt Mandavya. He became furious. “Let
the head of the person who inflicted great pains to me, break into thousand pieces by the sunrise of
tomorrow” cursed Mandavya. Agitated by the curse Sumathi retorted, “Let the sun not rise tomorrow.”
She came back to her house along with her husband. There was no sunrise the following day. The world
groped in darkness. Daily rituals and observances stopped. People were perturbed. Gods and goddesses
prayed to Lord Brahma to prevent the impending disaster. “Sun could not rise due to a curse of a
virtuous woman. Only another virtuous woman can make the sun rise. Anasuya, the consort of saint Atri
is the greatest of all virtuous women. Go and pray to her. Only she can avert this danger”, said Brahma.
The gods sought refuge in mother Anasuya. She went to Sumathi and convinced her to repeal the curse.
The sun rose in the east, but immediately Kausika died. His head broke into pieces. Mother Anasuya
with her power brought life back into Kausika. He was relieved of his dreaded disease too. Delighted by
the divine, super human and rare act of Anasuya, Trimurthis appeared and granted a boon. She
submitted to Trimurthis that she wanted to have them as her sons and through whom a new light of
wisdom would be spread to dispel the darkness of human sorrow. “So be it”, uttered the Trimurthis and
disappeared.
On another occasion, the Trimurthis wanted to test her power of virtuousness. They came as guests and
sought alms on a condition that she had to feed them nude. The great mother Anasuya, with her infinite
grace made the three Lords as infants and fed them through her breast. The three goddesses - Lakshmi,
Saraswathi and Gowri , came in search of their spouses but found them as kids. On their request,
Anasuya restored them to manhood. At the same time, Atri came after tapas. The delighted gods again
granted boons to the couple. But Anasuya had only one wish – to have illustrious children.
After a few years, one-day saint Atri had just finished his meditation. He looked at Anasuya who had just
taken her sacred bath after menstruation affectionately. She was the embodiment of beauty and
sacredness of nature. Through the glance of saint Atri a visible divine light passed the eyes of Anasuya
into her womb. Lord Datta who causes the creation, existence and destruction of the whole universe
through the three Lords, desired to born as their child to fulfill their long awaited wishes.
Mother Anasuya became pregnant on Sapthami (seventh day after new moon day). The nine days in
between Sapthami and full moon day became nine months for the divine fetus. In the ninth month i.e.,
ninth day which is the full moon day in the month of ‘Margaseersha’, the Lord incarnated in human
form. The heavenly beings expressed their joy through a shower of flowers and beating of divine drums.
Apsaras (divine dancers) danced. There was tranquility everywhere. Saint Atri was filled with boundless
joy when he had a glimpse of the three Lords in the lovely faces of his babies. Chandra, Datta and
Doorvasa were born as a part of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra respectively. This Chandra, born to Atri is
not the planet ‘moon’ in our solar system. Chandra in Vedas was known as ‘Soma’. This spiritual wisdom
was born to Atri as Chandra. Chandra fills the inner void of yogis with ecstasy. He causes the mental
disposition and longevity suitable for mundane activities of people through his soothing rays. Datta, the
supreme yogi is the benefactor of mankind both in worldly and spiritual activities. Doorvasa was the
master of self-control. He has become a wandering mendicant , a free soul.
But why did the three Lords choose the couple of Atri and Anasuya to test and adjudge them as best
vehicles for their new incarnation? There were instances, which made them so. Atri was one of the
Saptarshis (Seven Rishis) and had a main role during Swarochisha Manvantara. Actually he compiled the
fifth mandala of the Sakala branch of Rigveda. He was also the seer of Ayurveda – a Upaveda dealing
with medicines when the world was infested with diseases and thus averted major epidemics during
Krita Yuga and saved humans from extinction. On other occasion when the people were worried about
‘Manu Dharma Sastra’ as a hard nut to break, Atri himself compiled a ‘Manu Smrithi’ in a very lucid and
plain style. Later when there was a war between demons and gods, the sun and the moon were held as
captives and the whole world was in thick darkness. Then saint Atri, requested by the gods, himself
became the sun and the moon and filled the world with light. Mother Anasuya also performed many
wonders. During one summer due to intense heat, the river Ganges dried up. She with her power made
it flow for the benefit of the people and saints. At another time there was a severe drought and not
even a blade of grass was seen on the earth. She then fed thousands of saints on bulbous roots by
generating innumerous esculents. Another time the river Ganges lost its purity and became turbid due
to the continuous pollution from bodies of the sinners bathing in it. With her magical power Anasuya
cleared the pollution in no time and made it sacred again. The story of Kausika and that of the three
Lords becoming little kids need not be retold which already proved her as the most virtuous woman.
Who else then could parent the Supreme Teacher of the world other than this couple? Who else could
equal them spiritually or otherwise? They lived for the good of the world. They used their powers for the
benefit of the people.
Several Puranas (legendary history and mythology) like Markandeya Purana, Matsya Purana, Brahmanda
Purana and epics like Bhagvatha sing the greatness of Lord Dattatreya. He had become Supreme
Teacher by teaching many stalwarts like Karthaveeryarjuna, Vishnudatta, Prahlada, Alarka, Pingalanaga,
Yaduvu, and many more. Lord Datta revealed to Parasurama, the Tripura Rahasya. All these stories are
described at length in “Datta Purana”.
By going through the story of Karthaveeryarjuna, we can easily understand to what extent actually Datta
could be a benefactor. Karthaveeryarjuna with deformed limbs and in helpless conditions completely
surrendered to Datta. He could receive the boundless grace of Datta through his unswerving devotion.
The Lord asked, “Make any wish. I will grant”. Karthaveeryarjuna wanted so many. “My lord – let there
be prosperity and righteousness for the people in my country, let the thoughts of others be known to
me, let there be no defeat for me in any battle, let there be thousand hands to accomplish that, let all
the eight powers be mine, let me become powerful to go anywhere, let there be a rightful guidance to
me whenever there is a danger of deviation from right path, let the people get back their stolen money
if they remember me, let there be unquestioned devotion in my heart towards you. Oh Lord Datta”,
pleaded Karthaveeryarjuna. Lord Datta happily granted all the boons. To fulfill all the boons Lord Datta
made Karthaveeryarjuna perform “Anaghashthami ceremony”.
Datta himself is Anagha, meaning without ‘Agha’, sin. Datta is sinless. Anaghadevi is nothing but his
yogic power. Dattatreya along with Anaghadevi became ‘Ardhanareeswararoopa’ (saint female) for the
three acts of creation, existence and destruction. He is one with them and at the same time He is the
support and above them. Anagha is same as Maha Lakshmi, Maha Saraswathi and Maha Kali, motivating
and supporting them, yet above them. The Eight Siddhis, Anima, Garima, etc. are the sons of
Anaghaswamy and Anaghadevi. Lord Datta making Karthaveeryarjuna to perform the “Anaghashthami”
gave a panacea to all devotees.
Karthaveeryarjuna with his velour of thousand arms defeated many kings. He became great emperor of
his times performing yagnas (fire sacrifice) and giving his people good and righteous government. He
sought and gained the help of Datta for these earthly benefits. The path of yoga of Datta does not
advocate renunciation of the material world. But it teaches the gradual transformation of the material
into spiritual. It teaches one to do the duties dedicating the results to god. This is what that was
explained by Sri Krishna as “Yogaha Karmasu Kousalam”. The skill in doing things (earthly) becomes the
eligibility for ‘Yoga’ too. It is ‘Kriya Yoga’. When this clarity of mind is obtained then Datta taught the
ultimate truth to Karthaveeryarjuna – that, ‘only Brahma is Truth, the world is an illusion’. It is then that,
real aversion towards worldly affairs takes root in Karthaveeryarjuna. In this context Lord Datta teaches
the ‘Seven Examples’ as told by Brihaspathi to Indra. The seven stories reveal how a man can reach
ultimate goal of perceiving oneness or unity in diversity by discarding the veils of ignorance through
selfless performance of one’s duties and submitting the results to the Supreme. After this initial
preparation Datta taught yoga to Karthaveeryarjuna. These are all dealt in detail in Datta Puranam.
During Krita Yuga Brahma created ‘Avidya’ or ignorance to perpetuate the living species. But Brahma
himself fell a prey to it. He forgot all the Vedas and his intellect became dim. When all was lost, he
prayed to Srimannarayana. “Go and beseech Dattatreya. I am in that form now on Sahyadri” told the
Lord. Brahma followed the instruction and his memory came back. Thus Datta was the Guru of Brahma
too. He is the Teacher Supreme.
ATRI AND ANASUYA : THE SECRET MEANING
Atri was one of the nine sons born out of the mind of Brahma. Anasuya was one of the nine daughters of
Prajapati – Kardama. The word ‘Atri’ denotes the exalted state of a ‘Sadhaka’ (seeker). It (the word Atri)
is defined in the following sloka : “Adhyatmikadi Taapatraya Rahitvena Atri Sabdah Vachyo Jeevan
Mukho Kaschin Maharshi” – The ‘one’ who is above the ‘three’ and who is not influenced by the ‘three’
is ‘Atri’.
The ‘three’ being : firstly, the three miseries of human being viz. Adhyatmika; Adhibhouthika and
Adhidaivika; secondly, the three gunas viz. Satwa, Rajas and Tamas and lastly, the three defects of the
glands or knots viz. Brahma Grandhi, Vishnu Grandhi and Rudra Grandhi.
The one who is not influenced by and has surpassed the above three is Atri. To reach the state of Atri
one has to attain the state of ‘anasuya’ i.e. a state of mind without envy. The saint Atri made Anasuya as
his better half, Anasuya being without envy. It means a state of mind, which has discarded the veil of
illusion.
The Varaha Purana enlists envy and the habit of complaining (back biting or slander) as the other two
bad qualities in addition to the six vices; the lust, the rage, the selfishness, the infatuation, the arrogance
and the jealousy (Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya), which obstruct the accomplishment of
the four prime pursuits of man (Chaturvidha Purushardhas). The seven of the above vices make envy as
the base for their spread. According to sasthras, ‘compassion’ is the chief quality that makes a man, a
real human being. Love combined with mercy is compassion. When there is love there is no hatred.
When there is hatred there is no love. In the absence of hatred only one can love others. But why does
one hate? Hatred is the outcome of envy. When there is no room for envy, in our mind the state of
compassion or state without envy becomes our companion. The more we grow compassionate, the less
is the danger of succumbing to the six vices. The three miseries will be nullified; the mind becomes calm,
which eventually leads to liberation from the bondage – that is the state of ‘Jeevanmukthi’. That is why
our sages gave much importance to the state of mind sans envy in spiritual practices. As the spiritual
aspirant enjoys the growing companionship with this state, his base instincts (Tamas) will be
transformed into a vigorous activity (Rajas), which ultimately dissolves into the higher virtue (Satva). It
then becomes the pure essence (Shuddha Satva), and then only the power of Supreme Being, Datta
descends to the Sadhaka. The story of Datta in which Durvasa and Chandra deposit their attributes of
Gunas Tamas and Rajas respectively in Datta who was Satvik in nature, symbolizes the above i.e. when
the two baser ‘Gunas’ are melted into ‘Satva’ thus leading to pure essence. Only then one becomes
eligible to attain the yogic evolution into Datta. Atri and Anasuya demonstrated the method of attaining
the divine power of Datta and by their union; they brought the formless and the attribute-less Supreme
Teacher onto the earth which took the human form of Dattatreya – the Supreme Teacher. Along with
Him descended the Yoga Sakthi, giving us an opportunity to attain it. This divine and virtuous couple,
residing in the hearts of all spiritual aspirants, motivate and propel them to achieve their state of unity
to attain the Supreme power by constantly throwing rays of intuition. This explains the tradition of
praying to them prior to the worship of Dattatreya.
The prayer of Atri :
Danda Kamandalu Karayugalam
Mastake Vidyuth Vilasath Jatilam
Chandramo Datta Durvasa Pitaram
Vasthudyayinam Atrimameede.
The prayer of Anasuya :
Atripatneem Mahalakshmeem
Pativratya Siromaneem
Sree Dattatreya Jananeem
Anasuyamaham Bhaje.
DATTATREYA – HIS TIMES AND ASTRONOMICAL CONNECTION
Not a news item to write and reveal
It is right to see first and then unveil
Already united, the bride and groom are in great delight
The elders are slighter, their faces became white
Forget not the word the best of Shivananda.
It is not clear in which Brahma Kalpa Dattatreya was born. Hence the time in which he lived, has to be