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In the [[Natha tradition]], '''Dattatreya''' is recognized as an [[Avatar]] or incarnation of the Lord [[Shiva]] and as the Adi-Guru (First Teacher) of the [[Adi-Nath Sampradaya]] of the [[Nath]]s. Although Dattatreya was at first a "Lord of Yoga" exhibiting distinctly [[Tantra|Tantric]] traits, he was adapted and assimilated into the more devotional cults; while still worshipped by millions of Hindus, he is approached more as a benevolent God than as a teacher of the highest essence of Indian thought.

==Dattatreya as an historical figure==
Though the Dattatreya of the [[Natha tradition]] coexisted and intermingled with the [[Puranas|Puranic]], [[Brahma|Brahmanical]] tradition of the Datta sampradaya, here we shall focus almost exclusively on the earlier [[Tantra|Tantric]] manifestation of Datta. [[Shri Gurudev Mahendranath]] had no doubt that Dattatreya was an historical figure. He stated that Datta was born on Wednesday, the fourteenth day of the full moon in the month of [[Wikipedia:Hindu calendar|Mrighashīrsha]], though he does not mention the year.

Dattatreya left home at an early age to wander naked in search of the [[Absolute]]. He seems to have spent most of his life wandering in the area between and including North [[Wikipedia:Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]], through the [[Wikipedia:Maharashta|Maharashta]], and into [[Wikipedia:Gujarat|Gujarat]] as far as the [[Wikipedia:Narmada River|Narmada River]]. He attained realization at a place not far from the town now known as Ganagapur. The original footprints of Datta are believed to be located on the lonely peak at [[Wikipedia:Girnar|Mount Girnar]]. The ''Tripura-rahasya'' refers to the disciple Parasurama finding Datta meditating on Gandhamadana mountain.

The ''Tripura-rahasya (The Secret of [the Goddess] Tripura)'' is believed to be an abbreviated version of the original ''Datta Samhita'' or ''Dakshinamurti Samhita'' traditionally ascribed to Dattatreya. This more lengthy work was summarized by Dattatreya's disciple Paramasura, whose disciple, Sumedha Haritayana, scribed the text. Thus, this text is sometimes referred to as the ''Haritayana Samhita''.

The ''Tripura-rahasya'' is divided into three parts. The first part, the ''Mahatmya Khanda'' or section on the goddess is concerned with the origin, mantra and yantra of the Goddess Tripura, also known as Lalita or Lalita Tripurasundari. The ''Jnana Khanda'' or section on knowledge elaborates on the themes of consciousness, manifestation, and [[liberation]]. Unfortunately, the last part, ''Charya Khanda'' or section on conduct, has been lost and some believe destroyed.

Another work, the ''[[Avadhut|Avadhuta]] Gita (Song of the Free)'' is a wonderful, compete compilation of the highest thought given to and recorded by two of Dattatreya's disciples, Swami and Kartika. Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) held it in high esteem. Originally a work of seven chapters, a spurious and misogynistic eighth chapter may be a later attempt to append sexual morality to the [[Natha tradition]] by a conservative ascetic. Some of the ideas in this Gita are however common to both [[Shaivite]] and Buddhist [[Tantra]]s.

The ''Markandeya Purana'' reports that Dattatreya, to free himself of all attachments, dove into a lake where he stayed for many years. By doing so, he also hoped to evade an assembly of Munis who remained on the banks of the lake awaiting his return. Datta emerged from the water naked in the company of a beautiful woman. The text relates that he made love with her (maithuna), drank liquor, and enjoyed singing and music. In spite of this, the Munis did not abandon him, and Dattatraya, accompanied by his [[shakti]], continued to engage in these practices and was meditated on by those longing for [[moksha]].

In the ''Bhagavata Purana'' Dattatreya enumerates a list of his twenty-four [[guru|gurus]]: earth, air, sky / ether, water, fire, sun, moon, python, pigeons, sea, moth, bee, bull elephant, bear, deer, fish, osprey, a child, a maiden, a courtesan, a blacksmith, serpent, spider, and wasp. The image of the [[Natha]] ranged from that of a siddha living in the woods with animals, to that of a frightening, even demonic, being.

In ''The Pathless Path to Immortality'', [[Shri Gurudev Mahendranath]] writes:

:"Shri Dattatreya was a dropout of an earlier age than the period when [[Veda]] and [[Tantra]] merged to become one simple cult. It was men like Dattatreya who helped to make this possible. Three of his close disciples were kings, one an [[Asura]] and the other two both belonging to the warrior caste. Dattatreya himself was regarded as an avatar of Maheshwara ([[Shiva]]) but later was claimed by [[Vaishnavites]] as the avatar of [[Vishnu]]. Not such a sectarian claim as it appears; Hindus regard [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]] as the same or as manifestations of the [[Absolute]] taking form."

Indeed, the ''Dattatreya Upanisad'', which opens proclaiming Dattatreya's identity with [[Vishnu]], ends with the mantra ''Om Namah Shivaya'', identifying Datta with [[Shiva]]. In the last portion of the third chapter, Mahesvara (Shiva) alone is said to pervade reality and shine in every heart of man. He alone is in front, behind, to the left, to the right, below, above, everywhere the center. Finally, Mahesvara is identified with Dattatreya, depicting the latter as an [[Avatara]] of [[Shiva]].

==Dattatreya as a devotional deity==
Dattatreya is usually depicted with three heads, symbolising [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]], and [[Shiva]]; past, present, and future; and the three states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, and dreamless sleep. He is portrayed sitting in [[meditation]] with his [[shakti]] beneath the ''audumbara'' (wish-fulfilling) tree. In front of him is a fire pit, and around him are four dogs. These are sometimes said to symbolise the four Vedas.

==References==
* Mahendranath, Shri Gurudev. [http://www.mahendranath.org/paganindia.mhtml Notes on Pagan India]. Retrieved Oct. 14, 2004.
* Mahendranath, Shri Gurudev. [http://www.mahendranath.org/pathlesspath.mhtml The Pathless Path to Immortality]. Retrieved Oct. 14, 2004.
* Rigopoulos, Antonio (1998). ''Dattatreya: The Immortal Guru, Yogin, and Avatara''.  New York: State University of New York Press. ISBN 0-7914-3696-9.