History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.1432

v6.c81.1432

*Dattātreya-janma*—on Mārg. paurnamāsī; Atri's wife Anasūyā called him Datta (because god gave himself up to him as son) and as he was Atri's son he is called Dattātreya; NS 210, SmK 430, VKD 107-108; Dattabhakti is prevalent mostly in Mahārāṣṭra and places associated with Datta viz. Audumbara, Gānagāpura, Narsobā-wādī are in Mahārāṣṭra; Dattātreya conferred boons on Kārtavīrya (Vanaparva 115, 12, Brah 13 160-185, Mat 43. 15-16), was an avatāra of Viṣṇu and propounded Yoga to Alarka (Brah. 213 106-112, Mārkaṇḍeya 16 14 ff, Br. III. 8. 84); he resided in valleys of Sahya, was called Avadhūta, was given to wine and liked female company; Pad II 103. 110-112 and Mārkaṇḍeya 16. 132-34. From Tamil calendars it appears that Dattātreya-jayantī is celebrated in Tamil land also.