Incarnations of Lord Dattatreya

Sri_Datta_Avatar_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.

(Avatars) Incarnations of Lord Dattatreya in Kaliyuga

Shripad Shrivallabh was the first incarnation of Shri 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.

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.’

Shripada Shri Vallabha Swami Maharaj : He was born on Bhadrapada Shuddha Chavathi (Ganesh Chaturthi) to the Brahmin Couple Apalaraja and Sumati at Sri Kshetra Peethapuram (now in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh). After his Upanayana at the age of 7yrs he stared Teachings Vedas to the Residents. At the age of 17yrs he started on a Pilgrimage to Kashi, Badri and Gokarna, where he stayed for a period of 3yrs. He then stayed at Sri Giri for 4 months and after visiting Nivrutti Sangam he finally settled down at Kurwapur. On the Day of Ashwina Vadya Dwadashi he disappeared in the Krishna River and concluded his Avatara.

Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj : He was born on Poushya Shuddha Dwitiya to the Brahmin Couple Madhava and Amba Bhavani at Sri Kshetra Karanja (Lad Karanja in Washim District of Maharashtra). The Child didn’t utter a word except “Om” till his Upanayana was performed at the age of 7yrs, when he suddenly started reciting the Holy Vedas. As assured by Sri Narahari 2 sons were born to his mother within a year and then he started on a Pilgrimage to Kashi and Badri. He accepted Sanyasa from Sri Krishna Saraswati at Kashi. He then travelled the length and breadth of the Country making various Kshetras more holy with the Touch of his Feet. After Staying at Narsobwadi for 12 years he finally came to Sri Kshetra Ganagapur. Shri Guru stayed at Ganagapur for a Period of 24 Years after which he Proceeded to Kardali Van at Srisailam where he Concluded his Avatara.

Ref : Avdhoot Chintan Shri Gurudev Datta

Some prominent incarnations of Lord Dattatreya 

Name of the
incarnation
Name of
the father
Name of
the mother
Period of
birth
Native
Village
Site of
the mission
Total
surrender
Renunciation
of the body
1. Shripad
    Shrivallabh
Apalraj Sumatibai Shake
1245
Pithapur
(Andhra
Pradesh)
Andhra
Pradesh
At 7
years
Twelfth day
of the dark
fortnight of
Ashwin Shake
1275
2. Shri
    Nrusinha
    Sarasvati
Madhavrao Ambasati Shake
1339
Karanja
(Vidarbha)
Gangapur
(Karnataka)
At 12
years
Third day of
the bright
fortnight of
Magh Shake
1380
3. Shri
   Manik-
   Prabhu
Manohar-
pant
Bayamma Shake
1739
Ladvanti
(Karnataka)
Maniknagar In child-
hood
Tenth day of
the bright
fortnight of
Margashirsha
Shake 1787
4. Shri
    Swami
    Samarth
   (Akkalkot)
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Akkalkot
(district
Solapur)
Unknown Thirteenth day
of the dark
fortnight of
Chaitra Shake
1800
5. Shri
    Saibaba
Unknown Unknown Unknown Pathari Shirdi Unknown Tenth day of
the bright
fortnight of
Ashvin Shake
1839
6. Shri
    Bhalchandra
    Maharaj
Parshuram Anandibai Shake
1825
Mhapan Kankavli
(district
Sindhudurga)
At 22
years
Seventh day
of the bright
fortnight of
Margashirsha
Shake 1899

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

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