Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj

A Short Biography of Shree Swami Samarth 9
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Of the several incarnations of the Supreme Spirit, the incarnation of ‘Lord
Dattatrey’ is considered as the most eminent. It is the combination of three deities,
Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh. The triad represents the combination of
three qualities: Goodness, Passion and Ignorance. A cow behind Lord Dattarey
represents the Mother Earth and the four Dogs at his feet represent the four Vedas 11 .
Lord Dattatrey is the presiding Deity of this holy Earth and the holy Vedas.
Since Lord Dattatrey is the manifestation of the triad, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu
and Lord Mahesh, he typically appears in the form of an ascetic with three heads and
six arms. He has an aura of a rising sun around him and has lustrous Jatta 12 tied in a
knot over his head. He is dressed in a deerskin and is a radiant assuring figure for the
devotees. His arms are seen to be holding various objects such as Mala 13 , Kamandalu 14 ,
Damaru 15 , Trishul (Trident), Shankh (Conch), and Chakra (Holy Weapon), each of them
with a peculiar spiritual connotation.
Mala and Kamandalu symbolize the mode of goodness (Sattva Guna); Shankh
and Chakra symbolize the mode of passion (Rajas Guna); Trishul and Damaru
symbolize the mode of ignorance (Tamas Guna). Sometimes he wears a tiger skin. His
whole body is covered with ‘Vibhuti’ 16 (Holy ash). Lord Dattatrey is also known as an
Avadhoot 17 , a Digamber 18 , an ascetic of highest order, beyond praise, selfless, free from
the consciousness of the ego, roaming free like a child over the face of the earth. He is
also known to manifest in any form at his own free will. He is known to be pure
consciousness in human form enjoying emancipation during his lifetime. He also asks
for alms and is easily satisfied with any little devotional service of his devotees. He
always protects his devotees and easily comes to their rescue, whenever they need
him.
11 Vedas: The Vedas are the most ancient books in the World, and they are the Foundation of Hinduism. Veda means
knowledge. Vedas have no beginning or end. While it might surprise people how a book can have no beginning or end, the
ancient Rishis who wrote these accepted that the complete knowledge of the Universe could never fit in any book, so there
would always be new things to discover. This philosophy makes Hinduism a very tolerant religon, always ready to accept new
ideas from other cultures.
12 JattaA: Long Matted Hair
13
Mala: Rossary
14 Kamandalu: Holy Pot
15
Damaru: A damaru is a small two-headed drum used by Lord Shiva
16 Vibhuti: Vibhuti, a word of Sanskrit and several other languages of India. Literally, it has several meaning including all
pervading; superhuman power; and wealth. Vibhuti is also the name for sacred ash used in religious worship in Hinduism,
especially connected with Lord Shiva. The ash has several symbolic meanings. Placed on the forehead of devotees, it covers
the mark of the spiritual third eye of Hindu belief that sees development of mystic insight as the primary path to Selfrealization.
It is a reminder of one's mortality since bodies are cremated being only temporary vessels of the soul. It calls to
the good of ridding oneself of selfish and base worldly desires that wrap the self in Maya (illusion) just as Shiva burned the
god of desire, Kama, to ashes when he attempted to break Shiva's focus on the Divine Truth.
17
Avadhoot: An avadhoot (also spelled Avadhut) is a mystic who has risen above body-consciousness, duality, and worldly
concerns. The term is described in one text as one who is free from the consciousness of the ego, roaming free like a child
over the face of the earth. An avadhut does not identify with the body, mind or emotions. Such a person is said to be pure
consciousness in human form. The nature of the avadhut is the subject of the Avadhut Gita, the authorship of which is
traditionally ascribed to Dattatreya.
18 Digambar: A naked ascetic
Copyright © 2006 Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust