Dattatreya Jayanti

The birthday (Jayanti) of Dattatreya falls on the full moon day of Magh (January-February). People fast and pray throughout the day, listen to the teachings of Dattatreya, and make a resolve that they will follow his teachings. The story of the saint Dattatreya is as follows:

He was the son of Maharishi Atri and Ansuya (the lady of perfect virtue). She performed severe austerities for a long time until the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh) came to her in the form of Sannyasins (ascetics). They asked the chaste lady what she would like to have and she replied: three sons like Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva).

The three gods fulfilled her wish thereby becoming three boy babies. Suddenly Ansuya felt milk flowing into her breasts. When her husband arrived she did not have to explain anything since he knew everything already. He embraced his three sons together and they became one child with two feet, three heads, and six arms. The three gods told sage Atri that your three-headed child would grow up to become a great sage who would possess the combined knowledge and power of the three gods (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh). Dattatreya was soon worshipped by many sages and taught the Vedanta doctrine of self-realization. He was a person of gentle, peaceful, and loving character. His birthday is celebrated every year.

One day, Dattatreya was asked why he was so happy and cheerful. Here is a part of his reply:

The earth taught me patience and generosity. The ocean taught me to remain the same inspire of storms. The fire taught me to give myself so that I would shine brightly. The air taught me to move freely and not stay in one place. The water taught me how much purity is needed for good health. The sky taught me to be above everything and yet embrace all things. The moon taught me that the self remains the same even when the appearance changes. The sun taught me that a luminous face is reflected by all smooth surfaces The dove taught me that love means feeding one's family. The bee taught me to collect sweet wisdom from places where no one suspected it to be. The arrow-maker taught me to be purposeful and always concentrate on one point. The snake taught me to be content to live in a hole or cave and build no house The fish taught me never to take the bait and so destroy myself. The owl taught me to sit peacefully and be content with little food. The deer taught me never to listen to lewd songs.

Dattatreya learned wisdom from whatever source it came from.