How was Lord Dattatreya born? Who were his 24 gurus? Why is he called the incarnation of Vishnu? Why is Dattatreya Jayanti celebrated?

Dattatreya was born on the full moon day of Margashirsha in the Shukla Paksha. His birthday is celebrated as Dattatreya Jayanti. He is considered an incarnation of Vishnu. He was the second son of the sage Atri and Anusuya. He had twenty-four Gurus including nature, animals, birds and humans.. In South India, temples are decorated with grand celebrations on this day. Devotees perform prayers and recite the stories of Dattatreya's greatness.

Lord Dattatreya's 24 Gurus were:

His 24 gurus included a Pigeon, the Earth, The Sun, Pingala , The Wind, A Deer, The Ocean, A Moth, An Elephant, The Sky, Water, A Honeybee, A Fish, A Kurara bird, Fire, The Moon, A Young girl, A Serpent, A Child, A Prostitute, An Arrow-maker, A Spider, A Bumblebee, and A Python. Lord Dattatreya believed that one should learn from wherever they can and that's why he gained wisdom from these 24 Gurus.

Story of Dattatreya's birth:

There is a difference of opinion between the Skanda Purana and the Agni Purana regarding the birth of Mata Anasuya's three sons. However, according to both Puranas, Dattatreya is considered the second son of Mata Anasuya and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

According to the Skanda Purana, once Maharishi Atri and his wife were sitting together during the afternoon, and Maharishi Atri praised his wife Anasuya for her virtues. Anasuya was a devoted wife who always acted in the best interests of her husband and family. Maharishi Atri told her lovingly, "Beloved, there is no other woman like you in the entire world. You are a truly virtuous woman who loves her husband and sons and is always dedicated to the welfare of her loved ones."

Maharishi Atri's words emphasize the importance and significance of having a child in one's life. According to the scriptures, a child is believed to bring many blessings:

Upon hearing the words of Maharishi Atri, Mata Anasuya responded, "Oh, my lord! It is said by wise individuals that practices such as meditation, penance, pilgrimage, seeking children, and mantra meditation are all aimed at obtaining a child. If it is your wish, I am willing to undertake difficult austerities to be blessed with a child."

In this way, Mata Anasuya, following the instructions of her husband Maharishi Atri, reached the northern bank of the Narmada River and adhered to austerities as prescribed. She consumed only fruits and leaves, and with great devotion, she worshipped the deities through sacred rituals.

This narrative highlights the deep reverence for family and the willingness of Mata Anasuya to undergo rigorous penance to fulfill her husband's wish for a child. It's a story that reflects the values and customs of ancient Indian culture, where the birth of a child was considered highly auspicious and was often associated with divine blessings.

Upon witnessing Mata Anasuya's intense penance, the deities were pleased, and they manifested themselves in their divine forms at Erandisangam. All the deities appeared in the guise of Brahmins before Mata Anasuya, and they began reciting sacred mantras. Mata Anasuya then offered them water as a sign of welcome and showed her deep respect to the deities. She humbly spoke, "O Lord! Today, my penance and birth have borne fruit."

Mata Anasuya then circumambulated the deities in their Brahmin forms and said, "Noble sirs, today I shall satisfy you by offering divine fruits, roots, and other offerings." The Brahmins replied, "O virtuous one! We are content with your sight alone. Please tell us, for what reason are you performing this penance?"

Mata Anasuya said, "Brahmins, through penance, one attains heaven, the highest spiritual state, and fulfills all human desires."

Upon hearing Mata Anasuya's words, the deities replied, "O virtuous one who observes the highest vows, we are pleased. Devi, ask for a boon."

Mata Anasuya then paid her respects to the three deities and said, "O Lords of the gods, if you are pleased with me, grant me the boon that you, the three, may be born as my sons."

Upon hearing Mata Anasuya's request, the deities responded, "Devi, we are not born from wombs, for deities do not dwell in the womb. However, we will grant you sons with divine qualities, comparable to the deities, who will be virtuous and well-versed in the scriptures. Thus, they will be like sons to you."

After granting this boon, the three deities departed to their abodes.

Receiving this greatest of blessings on the banks of the Narmada, Mata Anasuya went to Mount Mahendra to be near her husband. Seeing her, Maharishi Atri said, "Devi, you have obtained a rare blessing that is unattainable for all women."

With humility and reverence, Anasuya paid her respects to her husband and said, "Maharishi, it is through your blessings that I have received this rare boon."

Saying this, Mata Anasuya looked at her beloved husband with joy. In response, Maharishi Atri also gazed upon his wife. Through the mutual exchange of glances, a divine radiance appeared on Maharishi Atri's forehead, and its rays extended up to nine thousand yojanas. In this manner, due to the divine influence and the blessing received from the deities, Mata Anasuya gave birth to three sons. Among them, Dattatreya, born as the second son, was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and became the support and benefactor of all living beings in the world.

Influence of Dattatreya ji:

Once, a fierce battle raged between the deities and demons. In this battle, the demon king Jambha led the demons, and the king of the deities, Devraj Indra, led the gods. This battle continued for a divine year. In the end, the demons defeated the deities, who, in fear, fled to seek the protection of their lives.

The deities were so frightened that they couldn't even contemplate defeating the demons. Due to their vulnerable state, they consulted Sage Brihaspati and other sages for advice. Sage Brihaspati advised them to approach Maharishi Atri's son, Dattatreya, with devotion, as he was a great sage, ascetic, and a master of yogic knowledge. Brihaspati explained that Dattatreya had the power to bless them with the capability to defeat the demons.

Following Brihaspati's advice, the deities gathered at the hermitage of Dattatreya. They praised him, offered fruits, flowers, and water, and sought his blessings. Dattatreya, sensing the presence of the deities, turned to them and asked, "Why are you serving me in this manner?"

"Deities said - Jambha and other demons have attacked all three worlds, and they have also usurped our rights to perform yajnas (sacrificial rituals). With your grace, we can regain heaven and protect our yajnas. You are pure and flawless and possess the radiance of knowledge. You are completely untainted.

Dattatreya asked the deities to test him and said, 'Deities, it is true that I possess knowledge, but I am becoming impure due to association with this woman (referring to Mata Lakshmi, who was present in a female form with Dattatreya). Because the support of a woman is the cause of impurity.' Hearing this, the deities responded, 'This is indeed the Goddess Lakshmi, the mother of the universe. She is not tainted in the slightest. She is never impure. Just as the rays of the sun fall upon both a Brahmin and an outcaste, yet it is never rendered impure.' Hearing this, Dattatreya laughed and said, 'If that is the case, then bring the demons in front of me for battle. With the power of my gaze, their strength will diminish, and you will be able to defeat them.'"

Dattatreya's response and his readiness to confront the demons showcase his divine power and wisdom. He is willing to take on the demons with his spiritual abilities to help the deities regain their heavenly abode.

Hearing this, all the dities invited demons for the fight. It was a kind of trap to bring the demons near to dattatrey. Dieties and demons started fighting and soon dities ran away to take the refuge . The demons also followed the deities and arrived at the hermitage. There, Dattatreya was present along with Mata Lakshmi. Lakshmi had assumed a stunningly beautiful form. All the demons saw Lakshmi, and they abandoned their pursuit of the deities to contemplate acquiring her beauty. The affliction of desire made them powerless. All the demons pondered on how to attain the divine jewel of beauty. They abandoned the deities and went after Lakshmi.

Lakshmi had taken on a mesmerizing appearance, and the demons were captivated by her charm. They wanted to possess her. Due to the torment of desire, they became powerless. All the demons contemplated how to gain her. They thought that she was a divine jewel of the three worlds. They decided to take her with them. All the demons placed Lakshmi in a palanquin and lifted it onto their shoulders.

Then, Dattatreya said to the deities, "Lakshmi has seated herself on their heads. Their strength is diminished because of desire. They are powerless. Raise your weapons and finish them." All the deities united and defeated all the demons. The deities regained heaven and lived there without any fear.

Writer: - Kuldeep Singh