SYMBOLISM OF DATTATREYA

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SYMBOLISM OF DATTATREYA

DATTA (donated or gifted) ATREYA (son of ATHRI (NOT THREE) -THE PURE CONSCIOUSNESS, expressed through ANASUYA -State of NO MALICE.He is thus pure consciousness expressed through equated qualities.

Thus,that which is NOT three,is donated or gifted through the three, into all planes of creation, to help the beings to find the PATH back to THE TRUTH.He exists in all as the pure consciousness beyond the triple qualities of the individual.He is the DIVINITY in every human being.

He is depicted as having THREE HEADS.This is to indicate that he is the deity in whom the TRINITY is synthesised (Brahma-the CREATOR,VISHNU-the perpetrator & MAHESHWARA-the Destroyer) & that HE presides over all the THREE qualities of the soul(Rajas,,Satwa & Tamas).He is also known as TRISIRA-the three headed.He is called BRIHASPATI (Celestial Jupiter) in the kingdom of Gods,KAPILA in the infernal kingdom & SREE GURU DATTA in the human kingdom.He permeates the whole creation as a teaching principle (GURU).

The FOUR DOGS represent the FOUR VEDAS(Rig,Sama,Yajur & Atharva vedas),the FOUR YUGAS(Krita,Treta,Dwapara & Kali yugas),the FOUR STATES OF THE WORLD(para,pasyanti,madhyama & Vaikhiri) and THE FOUR STATES OF EXISTENCE(Existence,Awareness,thought & speech and action).The dog represents the faculty to listen,to listen far and listen to the subtle and to be alert to the Voice of the Silence within.

The healthy looking WHITE COW under his hand represents the CREATION, MOTHER EARTH & ANCIENT WISDOM.They are all under his protection.All three nourish the beings of the planet.The mother earth & the creation are willing to be milked to nourish the human beings.One must milk the ancient wisdom to find the PATH TO THE TRUTH.

HE is depicted as having SIX HANDS holiding a CONCH,A CELESTIAL WHEEL,A MACE,A TRIDENT,A WATER JUG and A BEGGING BOWL.

THE CONCH (SAMKHAM) represents the priciple of expansion & contraction presided over by Jupiter & Saturn.SAM is the seed sound of SATURN & KHAM is the seed sound of JUPITER.It also represents THE VOICE OF THE GURU & the DIVINE SOUNDS.

THE CELESTIAL WHEEL stands for TIME and symbolises HIS ASSURANCE THAT HE WOULD LEAD THE BEINGS INTO TIMELESSNESS & the consequent bliss.

THE MACE humbles the proud & subjugates their pride.Then the humbled are honoured by HIS GRACE.It also symbolises the inverted position of man from the standpoint of Knowledge & seems to convey the message that he neds to reverse his inversions as in YOGA philosophy & practice.

THE TRIDENT symbolises the SYNTHESIS OF THE TRIPLE ENERGIES -ida,pingala & Sushumna to be bestowed on the disciple.

THE WATER JUG or carrier is in essence life carrier & life giver which bestows life & longevity to his disciples.

THE BEGGING BOWL - HE begs human beings to donate their limitations,their impurities,their evil motives & their subhuman attitudes & behaviours so that HE may purify them & lead them on THE PATH TO THE TRUTH.The bowl is to collect all that holds us back from treading on the PATH OF TRUTH-attachment,hate,desire,anger, pride, prejudice,jealousy & avariciousness.