The foremost problem facing the world today is lack of proper understanding and co-operation. There are many religious organisations. There are many political parties. They all have very good social intentions. But why is it that the common man is still unhappy? This is because there is no understanding among them.

If we carefully analyse the history, we see that more battles have been fought in the name of religion. Ofcourse, all religions preach non-violence. Still we see that they fought among themselves. Why? Even here the reason is lack of mutual understanding.

Perhaps Lord Brahma had foreseen this contingency. Therefore He ordained Atri Maharshi to undertake penance and further the process of creation. Sage Atri undertook penance and as a result, Lord Dattatreya was born as the combined form of the Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.

The process of creation has three aspects. Creation, sustenance and destruction. We can comprehend the relation between creation and sustenance. But we find it difficult to realise that these two aspects have some sort of relation with destruction. Somehow, we tend to consider creation and sustenance as positive aspects and destruction as negative.

Lord Dattatreya demonstrated through His teachings and His way of life, the harmonious relation that exists between creation and sustenance and destruction.
Sage Atri undertook penance. Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara appeared before Sage Atri and offered themselves. As a consequence of this, a strange boy with three heads and six arms was born immediately. This boy started calling Sage Atri as "father". Sage Atri did not like the way in which his son was born. Therefore, the self-born son immediately merged back into nature.

Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati once wanted to test the strength of Anasuya. They sent the Trimurtis to test her. But, the power of penance of Mata Anasuya converted the Trimurtis into infants. Mother Anasuya was happy. But she neither accepted nor rejected the infants because they were not bestowed upon her. Subsequently, the three goddesses came and requested Mata Anasuya to give them back their husbands. Mata Anasuya agreed and thus, the three babies disappeared.

The power of Sumati"s penance guided the creation towards destruction. But the power of Anasuya Mata prevented the catastrophe. As a result of this, Mata Anasuya became eligible for receiving the boons of the Trinity. Now she wished for a son. Thus, Lord Datttatreya was born only when both Atri and Anasuya aspired for the same boon. It can be seen that in the first instance, Datta was born as a Samashti Murthi (collective form) while in the second instance, he manifested as Vyashti Murthi (individual form). In the third instance, Lord Dattatreya manifested as an individual form, but with the aspect of collective form. By doing so, He symbolically demonstrated the link between Creation-Sustenance-Destruction.

Dattatreya also showed that the seemingly divergent traditions of spirituality co-existed harmoniously within Him.

He expounded both Dvaita and Advaita philosphies.

In the mundane world, He introduced and propagated both Vaidika (ritualistic) and Avidika(non-ritualistic) paths.

He explicated both polity and righteousness in the society.
To do so, He took different forms at the same time.
He is still alive as a Chiranjeevi (one who lives forever).

Some scholars engage in debate about the period and place of manifestation of Lord Dattatreya. Indeed all debates regarding mythology are useful. But it must be remembered that to consider Lord Dattatreya as an individual and to restrict Him to some particular time in history will deprive us of the chance to understand the underlying principle of His incarnation.

Lord Dattatreya"s mention can be found in various Upanishads like Shandilya Upanishad and Dattatreya Upanishad. In these Upanishads, there is clear exposition of the oneness of Tattva.

Although Lord Dattatreya manifested in human form as the son of sage Atri, in the spiritual level, He is of the form of Tattva Himself.

Because He is a Chiranjeevi (one who lives forever), Lord Dattatreya expounds and propagates the teachings as required at different eras in different places and after that particular era ends, He will Himself make modifications in His teachings to suit the next era.

Lord Dattatreya manifested in diverse forms and attracted men of different mentalities and guided them to Satvic path.

He preached to both angels and demons. In humans, He caused mental evolution and helped them to understand science.

Datta Darshana is nothing but the comprehending of the True Principle. That itself is Datta Sakshatkara (intuitive perception, realisation). Spiritual seekers must understand a secret in Datta Avatara.

Almighty appearing in some physical form or in the form of light is one thing. It is another thing for the Almighty to manifest in the form of the True Principle when the seeker attains realisation.

At first, the Trimurtis appeared to Sage Atri in the form of light. Later they appeared in a physical form and still later, gave darshan in the form of an infant. Still Sage Atri did not have the real Sakshatkara (realization of the True Principle). Even when Trhinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara appeared in the form of infants before Anasuya, there was no true realisation.

The penance of Sage Atri and Anasuya continued. When Lord Dattatreya manifested for the third time, the Tapas of sage Atri had reached the state of fruition and he was able to see the True Principle now. Therefore, when Datta manifested for the third time, there was no exalted emotion in Sage Atri. Why? Because in this manifestation Sage Atri could realise the True Principle. Therefore, Sage Atri did not show much inclination towards performing different Samskaras prescribed for a boy. But it was not the case with Anasuya. She had not yet completely understood this incarnation. It was only Atri who knew the reality.

Mother Anasuya did not have the intuitive perception of the True Principle. Therefore, Lord Dattatreya decided to demolish the delusion of His mother which was preventing her from comprehending the True Principle. He peeled off His own skin and gave Darshan in the Universal form. This act kindled spiritual awareness in her and soon she too was able to experience the True Principle. She got Datta Sakshatkara. She was no more attached to the physical form of Datta.

How to differentiate between the darshan in the physical form and true realisation? There is a clear answer to this question in Dattopanishad – "Sadaa dattohamasmi dattohamasmeeti pratyetat samvadanti ye na te samsaarino bhavanti". It means, "when True Principle of Dattatreya is realised, that person should be able to experience that he himself is Datta! He should become the experience himself".

In Srimad Bhagavata, we come across the episode of Prahlada, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. In his old age, Prahlada experienced dissatisfaction. He did not have peace of mind. He decided to go on pilgrimage. In the forest, Lord Dattatreya appeared to him in the form of an ascetic and preached him the True Principle. Prahlada was able to experience the True Principle and was freed from misery. This "darshan" was no less significant than the "Narasimha" incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Thus, Prahlada attained peace because of the realisation of True Principle.

Lord Dattatreya appears in different forms to Sadhakas in different stages of their spiritual pursuit. He is not opposed to any tradition. He is infact acknowledged as the originator of all traditions.

In Lord Dattatreya, there might seem to be some contradictions, but in reality, there are no contradictions. Therefore, we do not find the aspects of curse and war in the incarnation of Dattatreya. He did not show any offence even Jambhasura, who tried to attack Him. He did not curse Pingala Naga, who out of ignorance insulted Him. Instead, He blessed Pingala Naga.

Lord Dattatreya"s attitude is this :

• Are you an atheist? I will still accept you.
• Are you a fugitive? I will still accept you.
• Are you a religious fanatic? I will still accept you.

Are you a worldly person? I will still accept you.

How is this possible?

Everyone has some good quality. Lord Dattatreya concentrates only on such positive qualities. He will never bother about the rest of the qualities. Therefore Lord Dattatreya is able to shower His love and compassion equally on all.

When Lord Dattatreya concentrates on the good qualities of a person, His divine energy flows towards that quality and because of this flow, the positive aspect automatically enhances. Gradually the heart of that person will become full with His divine energy. Satvic qualities blossom in the heart of that person and his life will become fragrant and beautiful. This is the speciality in Lord Dattatreya"s method.

Lord Dattatreya employs two mediums to transmit His divine energy on the deserving devotees. One is Nada and the other is Yoga.

Neither of these paths have barriers of caste, creed and religion or any other man made barriers. They have no language. Therefore Lord Dattatreya has no limitations.

Lord Dattatreya has been present throughout the 24 Yugas. No single treatise can successfully describe His greatness. What is available as Datta Purana today is only a small sample of His methods of dealing with His devotees.

Kartaveeryarjuna was one who, despite being in the path of Dharma was unable to give up ego.

Parashurama was one who, despite giving up ego, was unable to overcome anger.
Pingala Naga was one who, despite realizing that his doubts were trivial, could not remove them completely from his mind.

King Dharmakeerti was one who tried to deceive Lord Dattatreya with fake respect for righteousness.

Veda Sharma was one, who despite being knowledgeable, was unable to overcome his attachment for his son.

Vishnudatta was one who did not know what desires were!

The above examples are sufficient to show the variety in the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya.
It is the undercurrent of lack of Samanvaya (understanding) that is manifesting today as wars, acts of terrorism and other dangerous trends. Therefore, Lord Dattatreya" teachings are the suitable answers to the ailing world.

Lord Dattatreya does not believe in belittling you. He will accept you in whatever level you are.
It is no accident that the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya took place on full moon day. It signifies the wholeness of the incarnation. It was the full moon day of the month of Margashira when Lord Dattatreya incarnated. Lord Krishna has declared in the Bhagavad Gita as "maasaanaam marga sheershoham" (among the months, I am the Margasheersha). The only speciality of the month of Margashira is Dattatreya Jayanti. It is because of the greatness of that day that Lord Krishna has declared that among the months, He is Margasheersha.

The day on which the moon and the Mrigashira star come together is the full moon day of the Margashira month. Mrigashira means head of an animal. The full moon day of the Margashira month is a day when the animal tendencies in the head of man are removed. It is Lord Dattatreya who does this.

Symbolic meaning of Lord Dattatreya"s form

• The three heads – symbolic of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara principles
• Chakra (disc) – symbolic of time
• Conch – symbolic of Nada
• These two are the aspects of Vishnu
• Trident – symbolic of the Trigunas
• Damaru – symbolic of the science of sound.
• These two are the aspects of Shiva.
• Rosary – symbolic of Yogic energy and prosperity.
• Kamandalu (pot) – symbolic of peace.
• These tow are the aspects of Brahma.
• Cow – symbolic of Dharma (righteousness)
• Dogs – symbolic of the Vedas.
• Fig tree – symbolic of healing powers.

In today"s world, no nation can be totally independent of the other. Culture and attitudes of different countries will affect every other country. There is no country or group of people which is not affected by this. In this era of mixed culture and thinking, it is Lord Dattatreya who can extend helping hand to us.

Today"s man, with the help of the so called scientific advancement, has polluted the earth, the sea and the space. Not only that, he has also polluted the inner environment of man by befouling behaviour, speech and mind. This six-fold pollution has pushed mankind to the brim of annihilation. In such a dangerous situation, it is only Dattatreya, the Lord with six arms who can save us from the catastrophic end.

Jaya Guru Datta.