Dattatreya Combining the three Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the yogic deity Dattatreya is depicted as being attended by four dogs and a cow; chromolithograph by Raja Ravi Varma, c. 1903. (more) Dattatreya Hindu deity Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Datta Written by Charles Preston Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica. Charles Preston Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Dec 4, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question Also called: Datta (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who is Dattatreya in Hinduism? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Dattatreya is an ascetic Hindu deity considered to be the paragon of yogic practice, often depicted as the incarnation of the Trimurtiu2014Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. He melds elements of Tantra with orthodox Hinduism." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the significance of Dattatreya Jayanti? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Dattatreya Jayanti, or Datta Jayanti, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Margashirsha, typically in December, marking Dattatreyau2019s birthday." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How is Dattatreya depicted in art and literature? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Dattatreya is depicted with three headsu2014those of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shivau2014and six arms bearing iconography of these deities. He is often shown with four dogs, representing the Vedas, and a cow, symbolizing sanctity and Brahmanical orthodoxy." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the modern significance of Dattatreya? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Dattatreya is revered in various Hindu sects, and such figures as Shirdi Sai Baba are considered to be his incarnations. Temples dedicated to him exist, notably in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Some of these sites are points of Hindu-Muslim syncretism as well as conflict." } } ] } Top Questions Who is Dattatreya in Hinduism? Dattatreya is an ascetic Hindu deity considered to be the paragon of yogic practice, often depicted as the incarnation of the Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. He melds elements of Tantra with orthodox Hinduism.

　　What is the significance of Dattatreya Jayanti? Dattatreya Jayanti, or Datta Jayanti, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Margashirsha, typically in December, marking Dattatreya’s birthday.

　　How is Dattatreya depicted in art and literature? Dattatreya is depicted with three heads—those of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—and six arms bearing iconography of these deities. He is often shown with four dogs, representing the Vedas, and a cow, symbolizing sanctity and Brahmanical orthodoxy.

　　What is the modern significance of Dattatreya? Dattatreya is revered in various Hindu sects, and such figures as Shirdi Sai Baba are considered to be his incarnations. Temples dedicated to him exist, notably in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Some of these sites are points of Hindu-Muslim syncretism as well as conflict.

　　Dattatreya, ascetic Hindu deity considered to be the paragon of yogic practice. He is the quintessential composite deity, not only because he is often depicted as the incarnation of the Trimurti (“three forms”)—the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—but also because his followers come from many different traditions and social backgrounds and mix the transgressive elements of Tantra with mainstream elements of orthodox Hinduism. Dattatreya’s birthday (Dattatreya Jayanti, or Datta Jayanti) is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Margashirsha, typically falling in December. According to mythological accounts in the Hindu Puranas, Dattatreya was the ...(100 of 1314 words)

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