Dattatreya Jayanthi 2025 Date

About Dattatreya Jayanthi

Margashirsha Purnima marks the birth of Dattatreya — the sage-son of Atri and Anasuya, born when the Trimurti, sent to test her chastity, were turned into infants in her arms. He is revered as the Adi Guru, the first teacher of yoga.

The Bhagavata Purana tells of a young avadhuta (wandering ascetic) met by King Yadu in a forest. Asked how he gained such serene wisdom, Dattatreya names twenty-four teachers — none of them human. The earth taught him patience. The python, contentment with whatever food comes. The honeybee, to gather a little from many flowers without harming any. The courtesan Pingala, that hope itself is the root of misery. This is why Dattatreya is shown with four dogs (said to represent the four Vedas) and a cow — the world itself is his classroom. The Avadhuta Gita, a Sanskrit text in his voice, became central to the Natha yogis. His main shrines are in Maharashtra and northern Karnataka, where Ganagapura is believed to be where he attained enlightenment.