What is the significance of chanting Shri Gurudev

Datta?
By : mandar
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Incarnations of Lord Datta

• 1. Mission and special features

• 2. Science behind the idol
• 3. Implied meaning of the family
• 4. Incarnations
• 5. Spiritual practice
• 6. Sects
º 6.1 The Nath sect
º 6.2 The Mahanubhav sect
º 6.3 The Chaitanya sect
º 6.4 The Anand sect
º 6.5 The Shripad Shrivallabh and the Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati sects
º 6.6 Others

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 •
• 7. Main places of pilgrimage (tirthakshetras)
• 8. Main holy texts
• 9. Some prominent incarnations

1. Mission and special features

A. The one maintaining the honour of the code of the four classes (varnas) and stages (ashrams).

B. The model of the Guru principle and preacher for Yoga (Shandilyopanishad). Sahasrarjun, Parshuram,
etc. are the renowned disciples of Datta.

C. The teacher of the science of Tantra (Tripurasundarirahasya).

D. The one who wanders as per His own will, the one (like Krushna) beyond restrictions (Markandeya
Puran).

E. The one behaving according to His wish and always being there for someone who remembers Him.

F. Bestower of detachment (other deities bestow everything else).

G. Avadhut (Refer point ‘2.1’.)

H. A symbol of equanimity.

•
Shaivites and Vaishnavites: Both these sects are drawn to Datta due to His form as a Guru.

•
Hindus and Muslims: In the ritualistic worship (puja) of Datta by Hindus both music and incense (dhup) are
important as in the Muslim religion.

I. The one resolving the problem of ancestors’ subtle souls (Refer point ‘The problem of ancestors’ souls’.)

J. Constant wandering

•
1. Bath: Varanasi

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 •
2. Application of sandalwood paste: Prayag.

•
3. Collection of the afternoon alms: Kolhapur

•
4. The afternoon meal: Panchaleshvar (Bid district) in the stream of river Godavari.

•
5. Chewing a roll of betel leaves together with betelnut, lime, catechu, etc. (tambul): Rakshasbhuvan in Bid
district, Marathvada.

•
6. Listening to spiritual discourses (pravachans and kirtans): Naimisharanya (Bihar)

•
7. Sleep: Mahurgad

•
8. Yoga: Girnar

The places at points 1, 3 and 7 are famous.

K. Principle, ability and manifest energy

•
Principle: 100% (Isham = 100%)

•
Ability: Creation 10%, sustenance 80% and dissolution 10%

Since the ability for sustenance is 80% according to various holy texts Datta is generally considered the sixth
among the 24 incarnations of Lord Vishnu and rarely the fourth or the seventh.

•
Manifest energy: 10%

2. Science behind the idol

Around 1000 A. D. the idol of Lord Datta became three-faced (trimukhi). Before that it had only one face.

Object in the hand Representing whom?

1. Kamandalu (water pot) and japamala Brahmadev
(rosary)
2. Conch and discus Vishnu
3. Trident and small hourglass shaped Shankar
drum (damaru)

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3. Implied meaning of the family

•
The cow (behind the idol): The earth

•
The four dogs: The four Vedas

•
The holy fig tree (oudumbar): A symbol of Datta, worthy of worship as the Datta principle exists in it in a
greater amount.

4. Incarnations
Numerous are the incarnations
Which undergo dissolution with the passage of time
Lord Dattatreya (that is the Guru principle) however is unlike this,
He never undergoes dissolution.

- Ramavijay 13:21 by Shridharswami

Implied meaning: Since Datta performs the function of the Guru principle His mission continues till all attain
the Final Liberation (Moksha).

In all, Shri Datta assumed sixteen main incarnations. The book ‘Shri Dattatreya Shodashavataraha’ by H.H.
Vasudevanand Sarasvati narrates the stories of these incarnations.

5. Spiritual practice
A. Meticulous observance of the code of conduct according to the four classes (varnas) and stages of life (
ashrams)

B. According to the Path of Yoga and initiation by transfer of energy (shaktipat diksha)

C. Datta is the Guru deity. He has to be worshipped in that form itself. He is glorified as ‘Shri Gurudev Datta’
or ‘Shri Gurudatta’. Since Dattatreya is the Supreme Guru the tradition of the human Guru-disciple lineage
has not been maintained in the Datta sect.

D. Discipline plays a very important role in the sect.

E. Extremely harsh observances and physical hardships are undertaken.

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F. Paduka (wooden footwear) and the holy fig tree (oudumbar) instead of an idol was used for worship.
Formerly a single faced idol was used. Presently however three-faced idols are becoming more common.

G. Strict observance of cleanliness and purity (with respect to clothing, utensils)

H. Ritualistic worship of Satyadatta (Satyadattapuja) [ritualistic worship similar to that of Satyanarayan]

I. Mantras of Dattatreya: The following seven mantras of Dattatreya are related to spiritual practice of Tantra.

•
The one letter mantra (ekakshari mantra): ‘Dam (दां)’ is the bija of Datta and also His one letter
mantra. The chanda (rhythm) of this mantra is Gayatri, the sage Sadashiv and the deity Dattatreya. This is a
saviour mantra and the entire universe is incorporated in it.

•
The six letter mantra (shadakshari mantra): ‘Dam om rhim clim gloum dram (दां ॕ
हॕरीं कॕ‍लीं गॕ‍लौं दॕरां)’ is the six letter mantra.
Chanting of this mantra bestows the supernatural power of yoga.

•
The eight letter mantra (ashtakshari mantra): It goes thus ‘Dam (dra or dram) Dattatreyay namaha [दं
(दॕरा किंवा दॕरां) दतॕ‍तातॕरेयाय
नम: ।]' In this mantra Dattatreyay is the kilak (clue to a mystical puzzle) and the bija and namaha, the
energy.

•
The thirteen letter mantra (trayodashakshari mantra): ‘Om am rhim krom ehi Dattatreyay svaha (ॕ
आं हॕरीं कॕरों कहि दतॕ‍तातॕरेयाय
सॕ‍वाहा ।)’ The chanda (rhythm) of this mantra is Gayatri, the sage Sadashiv, the deity
Dattatreya, Om the bijakshar, svaha the energy and Dattatreya the kilak.

•
The sixteen letter mantra (shodashakshari mantra): ‘Om aim krom klim klum rham rhim rhum souhou
Dattatreyay svaha (ॕ कं कॕरों कॕ‍लीं कॕ‍लूं हॕरां
हॕरीं हॕरूं सौ: दतॕ‍तातॕरेयाय
सॕ‍वाहा ।)’

•
The anushtubh mantra:

Dattatreya Hare Krushna unmattananddayak

Digambar mune bal pishach dnyansagar

दतॕ‍तातॕरेय हरे कृषॕ‍ण

उनॕ‍मतॕ‍ताननॕ‍ददायक ।
दिगंबर मॕने बाल पिशाच जॕञानसागर ।

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Datta Gayatri: The Gayatri of Dattatreya is akin to that of other deities as:

दतॕ‍तातॕरेयाय विदॕमहे । अवधूताय

धीमहि ।
तनॕ‍नो दतॕ‍त: पॕरचोदयातॕ‌ ।।

Meaning: We are quite familiar with Dattatreya. We meditate on Avadhut. May that Datta inspire our intellect
benevolently. The chanda of this mantra is Gayatri, the sage Shabar and the deity Dattatreya.

•
The problem of ancestors’ souls: Nowadays since most people do not perform rites for the departed (
shraddhas), etc. as in the olden days nor undertake spiritual practice, most suffer due to the subtle bodies of
ancestors. Only saints can tell whether one is suffering or will suffer due to ancestors. If one is not fortunate
enough to meet such a saint then considering that certain suffering is inflicted due to ancestors’ subtle souls
one can do spiritual practice as given below. Inability to get married, marital disharmony, difficulty in
conceiving a child, miscarriages, mentally retarded or handicapped child or all female progeny, death during
childhood, etc. are some of the indications of suffering due to ancestors’ subtle bodies. Poverty, physical
illness, etc. can be some other indicators.

A. If one has no problems at all, to avoid suffering in the future or if one has a minor problem, one should
chant three malas (rosaries) of ‘Shri Gurudev Datta’ everyday. Apart from this to avoid suffering due to
destiny as well as to make spiritual progress one should do maximum amount of chanting of the Name of the
family deity.

B. If the problem is moderate, then along with chanting of the Name of the family deity one should chant
atleast six malas of ‘Shri Gurudev Datta’. In addition every Thursday one should visit Shri Datta’s temple and
perform five circumambulations and chant one or two malas of ‘Shri Gurudev Datta’ in the temple, for atleast
a year. Thereafter one should continue to chant three malas.

C. If the problem is severe, a minimum of nine should be chanted everyday. Rituals like Narayanbali, Nagbali
, Tripindi shraddha, Kalasarpashanti, etc. should be performed at places where jyotirlingas (the divine phallus
as a symbol of Lord Shiva) are situated. In addition to this one should undertake spiritual practice at the seat
of worship of Lord Datta or render service unto a saint and acquire His blessings.

D. Shri Datta Jayanti (Birthday of Shri Datta): Devotees of Lord Datta celebrate His birthday on the full moon
day (pournima) of the Hindu lunar month of Margashirsha.

6. Sects
Nowhere else is worship of Lord Datta as common as in Maharashtra.

6.1 The Nath sect

The Avadhut state as described in the Avadhutgita compiled by Datta, is similar to that in
Siddhasiddhant-paddhati compiled by Gorakshanath.

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 Yogis belonging to the Nath sect are also referred to as Avadhuts. They are beyond restrictions and accept
food from all classes of society with the exception of the Shudras (labourers). These yogis emulate pythons
and spend all their time in contemplation of the soul. In the Brahmanirvantantra four types of Avadhuts have
been described.

•
Brahmavdhut: These worshippers of Brahman are from any stage (ashram) of life.

•
Shaivavdhut: They are the ones who have ritualistically taken the vow of celibacy. They matt their hair,
observe silence (moun), and sit beside a fire place. They also smear mud onto their bodies.

•
Viravdhut: Their hair is long and unruly. They wear a necklace of bones or rudrakshas and carry a staff, an
axe and a small hourglass shaped drum (damaru). These yogis smear their bodies with holy ash (bhasma)
and wear a loin cloth (langoti).

•
Kulavdhut: These yogis are initiated into the Koul sect and are householders.

Avadhut ascetics consider Sage Gorakshanath as their Guru. (Refer point ‘Avadhut’.)

6.2 The Mahanubhav sect

In this sect the lineage is of Dattatreya - Changdev Raul - Gundam Raul - Chakradhar. Literature of this sect
states that Datta is Brahman.

6.3 The Chaitanya sect

Raghav Chaitanya, the founder of this sect undertook the spiritual practice of Dattatreya at Girnar.

6.4 The Anand sect

Here Datta is considered as the foremost (adi) Guru.

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 Shripad Shrivallabh Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati
6.5 The Shripad Shrivallabh and the Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati sects

Shripad Shrivallabh was the first incarnation of Lord Datta. He began worship of Datta in Maharashtra in the
15th century. Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati was His second incarnation. The Shri Gurucharitra gives information on
both these incarnations.

•
Prominent saints from the Datta sect : They are Eknath, Manikprabhu, Swami Samarth of Akkalkot,
Vasudevanand Sarasvati, Pantamaharaj Balekundrikar (Balekundri is a village near Belgaum in India.)

•
Incarnations: ‘In the historical age the three incarnations assumed were Shripad Shrivallabh, Shri Nrusinha
Sarasvati and Manikprabhu. The fourth incarnation was Shri Swami Samarth. These four are absolute
incarnations but there are several partial incarnations. Shri Vasudevanand Sarasvati (Tembeswami) is
included in Them.’

To avoid disturbance from people Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati retired to the Kardali (the plantain tree) forest after
informing His disciples. When performing austerities there, ants covered His entire body with anthills. Several
years later when a woodcutter was cutting wood in the forest his axe lightly struck the anthill. Seeing the
blade of the axe stained with blood frightened him and he dug up the anthill. Nrusinha Sarasvati emerged
from it as Akkalkot Swami. The Swami used to live at the present hermitage (math) below the holy fig (
oudumbar) tree at Akkalkot.

Information on some of the main incarnations of this sect is given in 9.0

•
Incantation of the Name: ‘Digambara Digambara Shripad Vallabh Digambara. Come quickly O Lord Shri
Nrusinha Sarasvati Digambara (दिगंबरा दिगंबरा

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शॕरीपादवलॕ‍लà¤- दिगंबरा । धावा
पावा तॕ‍वरा करा शॕरी नृसिंह
सरसॕ‍वती दिगंबरा ।।)’ is one of the incantations of this sect.

6.6 Others
Jains worship Dattatreya in the form of Neminath while Muslims remain in the attire of a mendicant. A
mendicant is always a devotee of Lord Datta.

7. Main places of pilgrimage (tirthakshetras)

•
1. Mahur: Kinvat taluka, Nanded district, Maharashtra.

•
2. Girnar: Near Junagad, Sourashtra. This has 10,000 steps.

•
3. Karanja: The birthplace of Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati. It is known as Lad - Karanje. Brahmanand Sarasvati of
Kashi first built a temple of Lord Datta here.

•
4. Oudumbar: In the four months of chaturmas of the Hindu lunar calendar Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati lived
here. This place is situated at a distance of 10 kilometres from Bhilvadi railway station in Maharashtra, on the
banks of the river Krushna.

•
5. Narsobavadi: This is located in Maharashtra. Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati lived here for twelve years. The
confluence of the two rivers Krushna and Panchaganga occurs here. This is the place which inspired
Tembeswami.

•
6. Gangapur: This is situated in Karnataka on the Pune - Raychur highway. The confluence of the rivers
Bhima and Amaraja occurs here. It is here that Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati spent twenty-three years and carried
out His entire mission. Later He proceeded to Shri Shailya from here.

•
7. Kuravpur: This is an island in the waters of the Krushna river in Karnataka. One can reach this destination
by road from Raychur till Palladini (Kurguddi). This is where Shripad Shrivallabh undertook His mission.

•
8. Pithapur: The birthplace of Shripad Shrivallabh, in Andhra Pradesh. It was Tembeswami who brought this
place into the limelight.

•
9. Varanasi : Here, the Dattatreya hermitage (math) is situated on the Narad ghat. The family members of
Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati who still live here have the surname, Kale. Later, the name Kale was changed to
Kaliya. Even today a garden and a lane named Kaliya exist here.

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 10. Shri Shailya: Located close to Hyderabad, Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati travelled to this place.

•
11. Bhattagaon (Bhadgaon): This is at a distance of 35 kilometres from Kathmandu.

•
12. Panchaleshvar: District Bid, Maharashtra.

8. Main holy texts

1. Datta Puran: This Puran has the following three parts.

•
A. Part of ritualistic worship (karmakand)

•
B. Part of mental worship (upasanakand) : H.H. Vasudevanand Sarasvati (Tembeswami) has translated this
into Marathi. It is called ‘Dattamahatmya’.

•
C. Part of spiritual knowledge (dnyankand) : This is referred to as ‘Tripurasundarirahasya’.

2. Avadhutgita: This is one of the main holy texts of the Nath sect. This Gita was preached by Dattatreya to
Kartikeya.

3. ‘Shri Dattaprabodh’ by Viththal Anantsut Kavadibova

4. Shri Gurucharitra: This describes the glory of the Guru and the code of conduct of this sect. The pattern
is as follows - chapters 1 to 24 : Part of spiritual knowledge (dnyankand), 25-37 : Part of ritualistic worship (
karmakand) and 38-53 : Part of devotion (after Self-realisation)[bhaktikand].

Name of
Name of the Name of Period of Native Site of Total Renunciation
the
incarnation the father birth Village the mission of the body
mother
surrender
1. Shripad Apalraj Sumatibai Shake Pithapur Andhra At 7 Twelfth day
Shrivallabh 1245 (Andhra Pradesh years of the dark
Pradesh) fortnight of
Ashwin Shake
1275
2. Shri Madhavrao Ambasati Shake Karanja Gangapur At 12 Third day of
Nrusinha 1339 (Vidarbha) (Karnataka) years the bright
Sarasvati fortnight of
Magh Shake
1380

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3. Shri Manohar- Bayamma Shake Ladvanti Maniknagar In child- Tenth day of
Manik- pant 1739 (Karnataka) hood the bright
Prabhu fortnight of
Margashirsha
Shake 1787
4. Shri Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Akkalkot Unknown Thirteenth day
Swami (district of the dark
Samarth Solapur) fortnight of
(Akkalkot) Chaitra Shake
1800
5. Shri Unknown Unknown Unknown Pathari Shirdi Unknown Tenth day of
Saibaba the bright
fortnight of
Ashvin Shake
1839
6. Shri Parshuram Anandibai Shake Mhapan Kankavli At 22 Seventh day
Bhalchandra 1825 (district years of the bright
Maharaj Sindhudurga) fortnight of
Margashirsha
Shake 1899
9. Some prominent incarnations
|| Shri Gurudev Datta ||

Reference: ‘Vishnu and His forms’, published by Sanatan Sanstha.

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