Dattatreya was born to the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya, at their hermitage. Anasuya was known for her devotion and purity. According to the Puranas, the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva wished to test her, and came to her hermitage disguised as wandering monks while Atri was away.

Anasuya passed their test through the power of her chastity and devotion. Pleased, the three gods offered her a boon. She asked that they be born to her as a son. They agreed, and combined into a single divine child, Dattatreya. The name comes from “Datta” (given) and “Atreya” (son of Atri): the trinity “given” to Atri and Anasuya as their son.

Because of this origin, Dattatreya is depicted with three heads, representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva together in one being, and six arms holding items associated with each of the three gods.

Dattatreya is not conventionally shown riding a mount, unlike most Hindu deities. Instead, he is depicted standing or seated with:

• A cow, standing beside or behind him, representing Mother Earth.
• Four dogs, seated near him, representing the four Vedas.

• Dattaguru / Datta Maharaj: Common devotional names, used especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Guru Dev Dutt: A widely used devotional chant/name across India.
• Avadhuta: Meaning a liberated, renounced being — one of Dattatreya’s key identities.
• Digambara: “Sky-clad,” referring to his ascetic, unclothed form in some depictions.
• Atreya: Meaning “son of Atri.”
• Trimurti Avatar: Referring to his identity as the combined form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Within the Datta Sampradaya tradition, several historical spiritual teachers are regarded as incarnations of Dattatreya. The three most widely accepted “purna avatars” (complete incarnations) are:

1. Shripada Shrivallabha: Born in Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh in 14th century, considered the first complete incarnation in the Kali Yuga.
2. Narasimha Saraswati: Born in Karanja, Maharashtra, 14th century, considered the second incarnation.
3. Swami Samarth: Akkalkot, Maharashtra, considered the third incarnation.

• Bhagavata Purana: Book 11, in the section known as the Uddhava Gita – Contains the well-known account of Dattatreya describing his “24 gurus”, natural teachers such as the earth, the sky, a pigeon, and a child – to King Yadu.
• Avadhuta Gita: A text of teachings attributed directly to Dattatreya, focused on non-dual philosophy and renunciation.
• Markandeya Purana: Mentioned the birth story and Dattatreya’s role as a guru.
• Dattatreya Upanishad: A minor Upanishad focused on Dattatreya, associated with the Atharva Veda tradition.
• Brahmanda Purana: Described as a supreme divine manifestation and the incarnation of the Trimurti – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva