
Lord Dattatreya
दत्तात्रेय
The Trinity Incarnate and Avadhuta Guru
1 mantras available
About Lord Dattatreya
Lord Dattatreya is a unique deity who embodies the combined aspects of the Hindu trinity — Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — in a single form. He is the son of the sage Atri and his devoted wife Anasuya, born as a divine boon when the Trimurti themselves appeared at their hermitage, impressed by Anasuya's unparalleled devotion and chastity. Dattatreya is considered the Adi-Guru (the first teacher) and the supreme master of yoga.
Dattatreya is depicted with three heads (representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), six arms carrying a kamandalu, japa mala, Sudarshana chakra, shankha, trishul, and damaru. He is accompanied by four dogs (representing the four Vedas) and a cow (Kamadhenu, representing the earth and dharma). He wanders as an avadhuta (one beyond worldly consciousness), teaching through his very being and lifestyle.
Dattatreya's teachings emphasize that a true seeker can learn from everything in nature. In the Avadhuta Gita and the Dattatreya section of the Bhagavata Purana, he describes his 24 gurus — from the earth, wind, and sky to a spider, a bee, and a courtesan. Dattatreya mantras are chanted for spiritual wisdom, guru's grace, overcoming negative planetary influences, removal of ancestral curses (pitru dosha), and attaining self-realization.