Sri Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya Sri Vasudevanand Saraswathy Swami Maharaj describes the sixteen sacred Avataras of Lord Dattatreya. By remembering these Avataras with devotion, one is immediately relieved from sins and misery.
1. Yogiraja – Appeared on Kartika Shuddha Pournami as the manifestation of the combined power of all divinities.
2. Atrivarada – Kartika Bahula Padyami – this incarnation
indicates Sri Dattatreya as the essence of all Mantras.
3. Datta Prabhu – Kartika Bahula Dwitiya – Granted himself to sage Atri.
4. Kalagnishamana- Margashirsha Shuddha Chaturdashi – Took birth as Atri’s son.
5. Yogijanavallabha – Margashirsha Pournami – indicates the compassion of the Lord towards his devotees.
6. Lila Vishwambhara – Paushya Pournami – appeared as a child to protect his devotees.
7. Siddharaja – Magha Pournami – Resurrected the system of Yoga as a preparatory step for Gnana.
8. Jnanasagara – Phalguna Shuddha Dashami – indicated the necessity of Gnana for liberation.
9. VishwambharAvadhUta – Chaitra Pournami – Established Bhakti Yoga.
10. MayayuktAvadhUta – Jyeshtha Shuddha Trayodashi – Grants worldly desires of his devotees.
11. MayamuktAvadhUta – Vaishakha Shuddha Chaturdashi – Destroys kAma in his devotees.
12. Adi Guru – AshAdha Pournami – Grants Brahma Gnana to Uttamadhikaris.
13. Sri Shivarupa – Shravana Pournami – Grants Sayujya to Madhyamadhikaris.
14. Sri Devadeva – Bhadrapada Shuddha Chaturdashi – grants Atmapada to his devotees.
15. Sri Digambara – Ashwayuja Pournami – to establish Vairagya.
16. Sri Krishna Shyama Kamalanayana – Kartika Shuddha Dwadashi – complete with sixteen kalas, is the complete manifestation of the Lord. Shri Leela Viswambara Datta Mandir, Surat is one of the 16 data Kshetras established by His Holiness Parama Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji.
