History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c37.77

v3.c37.77

Another deity whose worship is very popular in the Deccan is Dattātreya. His worship cannot have originated later than the first centuries of the Christian era. In the Jābālopaniṣad, he is referred to as a paramahaṁsa and there is an Upaniṣad named after him. Vanaparva 115, Anuśāsana 153, Śānti 49. 36, say that he conferred boons on Kārtavīrya. Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa (chap. 16-19) gives the story of his birth, calls him a yogin and asserts that he was offered wine and meat by his devotees (19. 10-12). The Bhāgavata IX. 23. 23, Matsya 47. 242-246 and other purāṇas also refer to him. In the Śiśupālavadha of Māgha he is spoken of as an *avatāra*.