Guiding Light: Sri Datta Sharanam

Attri and Anasuya were the sage couple on their sadhana life journey. In an exploratory incident it happened that the couple were blessed with a Trimurti Swarupa son called Dattatreya. He is appropriately shown with three heads, an equivalent drawn from Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and combines the powers of creation, preservation, and destruction of the three deities.

Dattatreya is jnana swaroopa. His parental choice reveals deep insights. His father was A+Tri, meaning the one beyond the three gunas, the one who is beyond rajas, tamas, and even sattva. His mother was An+asuya, meaning one who was without jealousy. An ideal couple!

Dattatreya symbolised pure learning and wisdom. His consort is shown as An+Agha, meaning one without sin. Datta belongs to Avadhuta Parampara and is shown sometimes with a little confusing makeover of unhygienic context and disturbing ecosystem. This is more for deceptive purposes. Those who have devotion in him see through and retain the reverence.

Datta is worshipped for both ‘ichha purti’ and jnana. In the hours of crisis and when the clarity is missing from the scene, reciting ‘Sri Datta Sharanam Mama’ makes the situation clear, perceptually. This makes it easy for anyone to take decisions. For those who are initiated, the chanting with the beej mantra is also advised. Sri Guru Charitra parayana, conditional bound studying of the biography of Dattatreya, is performed from Thursday to Wednesday. This is called ‘saptaha’, meaning a seven-day ritual of the reciting of the pious biographical book. There is also a tradition of performing the Anagha+Ashtami vratam. Datta Purnima is also celebrated to offer reverence to Guru Swarupa.

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Dattatreya is deeply revered. It is deemed that there are avatars of him in Kaliyuga. One of the popularly known is the seven-centuries-old Sripada Vallabha. Dattatreya is also known for driving away the negative energies. He is also called Dig+Ambara, meaning one who is having ‘directions’ as his clothes. It is strongly believed that those who are in need of a guru shall get their wish fulfilled when Dattatreya is worshipped.

About the author

Dr. S. Ainavolu is a Mumbai-based teacher of Management and Tradition. Intent is NextGen’s learning and cultural education.