दत्तात्रेय अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली — Word-by-Word Meaning
दत्तात्रेय अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
श्रीदत्ताय नमः
śrīdattāya namaḥ
Salutations to Sri Datta, the Lord 'given' (granted) to sage Atri and Anasuya
देवदत्ताय नमः
devadattāya namaḥ
to Devadatta, the one given by / to the gods
ब्रह्मदत्ताय नमः
brahmadattāya namaḥ
to Brahmadatta, given by Brahma
विष्णुदत्ताय नमः
viṣṇudattāya namaḥ
to Vishnudatta, given by Vishnu
शिवदत्ताय नमः
śivadattāya namaḥ
to Shivadatta, given by Shiva
अत्रिदत्ताय नमः
atridattāya namaḥ
to Atridatta, the one given to (the sage) Atri
आत्रेयाय नमः
ātreyāya namaḥ
to Atreya, the descendant of Atri
अत्रिवरदाय नमः
atrivaradāya namaḥ
to one who granted a boon to Atri (Atrivarada)
अनुसूयाय नमः
anusūyāya namaḥ
to one related to (born through the grace upon) Anasuya
अनसूयासूनवे नमः
anasūyāsūnave namaḥ
to Anasuyasunu, the son of Anasuya
अवधूताय नमः
avadhūtāya namaḥ
to the Avadhuta, the liberated ascetic free of all bonds
धर्माय नमः
dharmāya namaḥ
to Dharma, righteousness embodied
धर्मपरायणाय नमः
dharmaparāyaṇāya namaḥ
to one wholly devoted to dharma (Dharmaparayana)
धर्मपतये नमः
dharmapataye namaḥ
to the lord of dharma (Dharmapati)
सिद्धाय नमः
siddhāya namaḥ
to the perfected one (Siddha)
सिद्धिदाय नमः
siddhidāya namaḥ
to the giver of perfection and accomplishment (Siddhida)
Complete Translation
दत्तात्रेय अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली भगवान दत्तात्रेय — अत्रि ऋषि एवं सती अनसूया के पुत्र, जिनमें ब्रह्मा-विष्णु-महेश त्रिमूर्ति एक स्वरूप में संयुक्त हैं — के १०८ नामों की माला है। वे परम अवधूत एवं गुरुओं के गुरु, योग व धर्म के स्वामी हैं। ये नाम उनके दिव्य जन्म, अनेक पावन रूपों (एकमुख व बहुमुख, द्विभुज व षड्भुज — शङ्ख, चक्र, त्रिशूल, अक्षमाला, कमण्डलु व डमरु धारी) तथा ज्ञान, सिद्धि व मोक्ष के दाता स्वरूप का वर्णन करते हैं। 'ॐ' व 'नमः' सहित इस नामावली का पाठ ज्ञान, गुरुकृपा, विघ्ननाश एवं अन्तःशान्ति प्रदान करता है।
Origin & History
Source: Traditional (Datta Sampradaya; sanskritdocuments.org)
Author: Traditional
Period: Classical
Lord Dattatreya was born as the son of the sage Atri and his supremely chaste wife Anasuya, when Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, won over by Anasuya's virtue, granted themselves to her as her child — hence 'Datta' ('the given') 'Atreya' ('son of Atri'). He is the foremost Avadhuta and the Adi Guru of the Datta Sampradaya, ever wandering, ever free, the lord of yoga and dharma. This garland of his 108 names is recited within that tradition to invoke the grace of the Guru and the wisdom of the liberated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dattatreya Ashtottara Shatanamavali?▼
It is the garland of the 108 names of Lord Dattatreya, the son of Atri and Anasuya in whom Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are united. Each name is chanted with 'Om' before and 'namaha' after, and is offered as an archana for wisdom, the Guru's grace and inner peace.
Why is Dattatreya called the Guru of gurus?▼
Dattatreya is revered as the Adi Guru and the supreme Avadhuta — a fully liberated being beyond all rules and bonds. Famously he spoke of having learned from twenty-four teachers in nature, showing that the whole world becomes a guru to the awakened; hence he is honoured as the Guru of gurus and the lord of yoga.
What does the name 'Datta' mean?▼
'Datta' means 'given'. The sage Atri and his chaste wife Anasuya performed great penance, and Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, pleased with them, gave themselves as their son — hence 'Datta-atreya', 'the given one, the son of Atri'. The opening names (Devadatta, Brahmadatta, Vishnudatta, Shivadatta) recall this.
When is the best time to chant?▼
Thursday (Guruvar), the day of the Guru, and Datta Jayanti — the full-moon day of the month of Margashirsha — are the most auspicious. It may also be recited daily, ideally in the morning, with a calm and devoted mind.
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