The Story of Lord Dattatreya’s Birth and Divine Incarnations

The tale of Lord Dattaterya’s origin revolves around Anasuya, the daughter of Devahuti and the sage Kardama. Anasuya was an extraordinary being, free from the negative qualities of envy and jealousy. She not only possessed profound wisdom and knowledge but also had a deep connection with her brother and mentor, the sage Kapila. As the wife of the esteemed sage Atri, her unwavering devotion and virtuous character shone brightly.

Once Narada, the divine sage, spoke of Anasuya’s extraordinary fidelity and chastity. It sparked jealousy within the hearts of three goddesses: Vaani, Lakshmi, and Uma, who were the respective spouses of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Filled with envy, they devised a plan to test Anasuya’s virtue and sent their husbands in disguise to challenge her chastity.

Disguised as holy men, the three gods, responsible for the creation, sustenance, and dissolution of the world, arrived at Anasuya’s abode and humbly requested food. Anasuya, known for her compassionate nature, welcomed them and offered them a place to rest. However, the disguised gods demanded that she serve them food while being completely naked. Unperturbed by their request, Anasuya ingeniously took some holy water from her husband’s sacred pot and sprinkled it over them, instantly transforming them into helpless infants. Without hesitation, she lovingly cared for them as her own children, nourishing them and providing them with the utmost care.

As time passed and their husbands did not return, the three goddesses grew increasingly worried and decided to visit Atri’s ashram, where Anasuya resided. To their astonishment, they discovered their husbands in their infant forms. Overwhelmed with remorse, their jealousy evaporated, and they recognized the magnificence of Anasuya’s character. The goddesses implored Anasuya to pardon them and return their husbands to their true states.

Anasuya, driven by her boundless compassion, reverted the babies to their divine appearances and reunited them with their grateful wives. As the three gods departed, they expressed their sincere desire to remain connected with Anasuya in another form.

In accordance with their wishes, Brahma took the form of Chandra (the Moon), Vishnu became Datta, and Shiva transformed into Durvaasa. The united form of these three deities was born on the fourteenth day of the bright half of the month of Margasira, the ninth month of the lunar year. This auspicious day continues to be celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Dattatreya.

According to the revered Gurucharitra written by Sri Gangadhara Saraswati, among the numerous incarnations of Dattatreya, two notable ones occurred in the fourteenth century. 

The first manifestation was Sreepadavallabha, born to Brahmin parents Appalaraja and Sumati in the year 1320 AD in the town of Pitapura, located in Andhra Pradesh. At the age of sixteen, Sreepadavallabha left his home and resided in Kuruvapura, a small island in the River Krishna, where he blessed devoted followers before eventually disappearing in 1350 AD.

The second manifestation was Sri Swami Narasimha Saraswati, born to fulfill a promise made by Sreepada Sreevallabha to his mother. Initially known as Narahari, he was born in the year 1380 in the small town of Karanjanagar. Until the age of seven, Narahari remained silent. However, during his sacred thread ceremony, as his mother offered him three meals in accordance with scriptural tradition, Narahari astonishingly recited the three Vedas, one for each meal.

Narahari bestowed upon his mother the memory of her past life. After a few years, he departed for Kashi, where he received his sacred vows from the venerable Swami Krishna Saraswathi, who bestowed upon him the name Narasimha Saraswati.

Swami Narasimha Saraswati embarked on a profound journey, traversing the northern regions of India on foot. Eventually, he arrived in the southern lands and settled in Gapura, a serene place near Kalaburagi in Karnataka. For twenty years, Swami Narasimha Saraswati blessed countless devotees, transcending the barriers of religion and earning adoration and reverence from people of diverse backgrounds.

It is believed that Swami Narasimha Saraswati physically disappeared and merged into the divine in Sreesaila (Andhra Pradesh), leaving behind his sacred sandals in Ganagapura. Apart from these two significant historical incarnations, Dattatreya manifested in sixteen other forms at different times, each carrying its own unique essence and purpose. These divine forms include Visvambaraavadhoota, Maayamuktaavadhoota, Dattavadhoota, Aadigurunaamaka, Samskasheenasivaroopa, Devadeva, Dattadigambara, Syaamakamalalochana, Yogiraja, Atrivarada, Digambara, Yogiraajavallabha, Kaalaagnisamana, Leelavisvambhara, Siddharajanamaka, and Jnanasagara.