Datta Avatar Swaroopa Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Pooja
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This short article is an offering to summarize the auspicious names of Datta Sadguru to help us to better relate to the significance of each name and the milestones they signify along His life journey. Jai Guru Datta!
Dedicated research by Dr. Ravita Singh and Rishi Nirvan Balroop CA FCCA .
They are hosts of Radio show Datta Arpanam, a weekly offering on the life and music of Dattaji on 103.1FM in Trinidad and Tobago.
The 108 names of Parama Pujya Śrī Śrī Śrī Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji (Pujya Dattaji)
– śrī śrī śrī gaṇapati saccidānanda sadguru aṣṭōttara śatanāmāvaḷi
In the Hindu tradition, veneration is often offered in the form of 108 names attributed to the subject of tribute.
The number one hundred and eight (108) is significant itself. It is the constant which links the relative sizes of the sun and the moon to the distance from earth, and it results in the two celestial bodies appearing roughly the same size to our eyes. The Sanskrit alphabet, nakshatras and chakras all have fascinating links to this Harshad number.
The sum of the digits is nine (9), which is described as the indestructible number, because when multiplied by any number, it collapses back to 9 when the digits are added.
Eight (8) is said to signify infinity (∞). Even zero (0) is said to be deeply spiritual in meaning, standing between the Jīvātma and Paramātma.
However, beyond the number, what do the names tell us about this incarnation of the aspect of Dattātreya?
In the paragraphs below, the superscript shows the location of a specific name in the aṣṭottara or 108 names of Pujya Dattaji. The complete aṣṭōttara is shown at the end of the article.
Four (4) of the 108 names relate to Pujya Dattaji’s adopted names by which He is known: nāmabhrājadgaṇapataye66 (He has Ganapati in His name); saccidānanda78 (He has Truth, Knowledge and Bliss in His name); satyanārāyaṇāya62 (the fate of knowledge) and satyānandāya64 (name bestowed on Pujya Dattaji by a mysterious young boy who briefly visited Satyanarayana in Kesare and partook of rice and sambar from Dattaji).
nāmabhrājadgaṇapataye66 - While in Kesare, Pujya Dattaji became renown for conducting Gaṇapati homas and was eventually referred to as Gaṇapati Swami or Kesare Swami.
saccidānanda78 - Regular people are confined by boundaries such as death, delusion and not knowing the truth and ultimately unhappiness. When these three are transcended, that is sacchidananda.
Satyanārāyaṇā62 - Swamiji’s father Narasimha Sastry was very stern and particular about the name Satyanārāyaṇā not being shortened. He described how mere mention of the full name, even in reprimanding his young son, bestows punya or merit. He elucidated on how the two words, ‘Nara’ and ‘Ayana’ denoted the journey of the imperishable jñānam or Chaitanya, which manifests itself in this visible creation, destined to only return to the very same akhanda jñānaṁ (eternal truth) or Narāyaṇa. In order to not confuse the word with the name of Lord Nārāyaṇa, Narasimha Sastry added ‘Satya’ (truth) as a prefix.
There are three (3) names pertaining to Pujya Dattaji’s appearance on Earth as an Avadhūta – brahmakuṇḍa prabhārūpa11: having the glow of brahmakuṇḍa, kāvērī salilōtpanna9: born in the Kaveri waters, citrabhānu śaradbhava10: (born) in the year of Chitra Bhanu.
Ten (10) of the names relate to Dattaji’s lineage: Mother and first guru18, Jayalakshmi Mata5; Father, Narasimha Sastry7; His great affection for his brother, Kodaṇḍarāma19. Belonging to the Bharadhvaja gotra12 with good palmistrical lines34. He was initiated in his 11th year25, was taught by Sage Agastya67 and was dear to his teachers26. He was also initiated for madhukara deeksha39 (collecting food from house to house; Satyanarayana was made to perform this vratam by his paternal Aunt, Venkamma).
This holy Avadhūta is glorified through twenty (20) of His personal attributes as follows.
śrī śivāya namaḥ4 | Prostrations to one who is auspicious. |
śrī nityāya namaḥ6 | Prostrations to one who is forever. |
śrī navāya namaḥ8 | Prostrations to the ever new. |
śrī śrutibhaṅga klāntacittāya namaḥ17 | Prostrations to the one who cried when 'nada shruti' went wrong. |
śrī ūrjitāya namaḥ24 | Prostrations to the one who is energetic. |
śrī āñjaneyālayāsaktāya namaḥ27 | Prostrations to the one who is interested in Hanuman's abode |
śrī śucismitāya namaḥ36 | Prostrations to the one who has a pious smile. |
śrī arka mūlaratāya namaḥ46 | Prostrations to the one who has interest in the root tip of Calotropis. |
śrī uttamāya namaḥ48 | Prostrations to the one who is the best. |
śrī vikhyātāya namaḥ55 | Prostrations to the one who is eminent. |
śrī vibudhāśritāya namaḥ56 | Prostrations to the one who is sought after by scholars. |
śrī vibhave namaḥ59 | Prostrations to the omnipresent. |
śrī satyāya namaḥ63 | Prostrations to the truthful. |
śrī nāmasaṅkīrtanotsukāya namaḥ69 | Prostrations to the one who has enthusiasm in bhajans. |
śrī niṣkāmāya namaḥ71 | Prostrations to the one who has no desires. |
śrī koṭi liṅgasthalī priyāya namaḥ74 | Prostrations to the one who is interested in a place with one million shivalingas. |
śrī turyāśrama samullāsāya namaḥ75 | Prostrations to the one who enjoys Sanyasi Ashrama. |
śrī mūlikāvana sañcārāya namaḥ87 | Prostrations to the one who lingers in the bonsai garden. |
śrī advandvāya namaḥ90 | Prostrations to the one who is matchless. |
śrī bhaktibodhakāya namaḥ103 | Prostrations to the one who preaches devotion. |
Indeed, Dattātreya Himself did not have a name except to describe the act of giving of himself to His pious parents Sage Atri and Māta Anasuya, and the world at large. The word Dattātreya is the combination of two words, Datta (gift) and Atreya (the son of Atri). Lord Datta gifted himself, in the form of a son, to Atri Maharṣi.
Of the 108 names praising our revered Guru,
śrī dhvajastambhāgra sañcārāya namaḥ32 was the name that seemed the least familiar to me – the one who lingers at the epitome of Dhvaja Stambha. So I had to research this Dhvaja Stambha, an integral element of architecture in Hindu mandirs. It is described as a lightning rod, the highest point of a south Indian temple, a sacred flag post, the cosmic antenna capturing and radiating mantra vibrations. It is further described as a spiritual beacon with the three tiers at the top, representing the iconic Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. One definition mentioned the “spiritual bridge between the mortal and divine realms, typically standing in a straight, axial line with the temple’s main deity and the deity’s vahana (mount).” The concepts of antenna, vibrations and vahana resonated with me because of Pujya Dattaji’s deep connection with sound and music.
Of the 108 names which appear in His aṣṭōttara, thirty-two (32) reveal Pujya Dattaji’s divine nature linking Him to Gaṇapati, Rāja Rājēśvari, Lord Nṛsiṃha, Saccidānandēśvarā, Datta Veṅkaṭeśvara, Lord Brahma, and Dattātreya:
śrī sac-cid-ānandāya namaḥ2 | Prostrations to Sachchidananda. |
śrī sajjana śrī pradāya namaḥ3 | Prostrations to he who blesses the good people with wealth |
śrī rājñeśī darśanotsavāya namaḥ28 | Prostrations to the one who has experienced the divine appearance of Raja Rajeshvari as a festival. |
śrī bhallūka mitrāya namaḥ29 | Prostrations to the one who has become a friend of the bear. |
śrī bhadrāṅgāya namaḥ30 | Prostrations to the one who has Holistic form. |
śrī haṭhayoga samāśritāya namaḥ31 | Prostrations to the one to whom Hatha yoga itself surrendered. |
śrī haṭhāt khaṇḍita lambikāyanamaḥ33 | Prostrations to the one who acquired immediate bliss as lambika nādi was slit. |
śrī nāgamitrāya namaḥ35 | Prostrations to the one who is a friend of snakes. |
śrī sādhupriyāya namaḥ38 | Prostrations to the one who is dear to sages. |
śrī unnatāya namaḥ43 | Prostrations to the one who is supreme. |
śrī gaṇeśadatta brahmopadeśāya namaḥ44 | Prostrations to the one who was initiated by Lord Ganesh. |
śrī antarmukhasthitaye namaḥ45 | Prostrations to the one who is in a state of innerself. |
śrī arka vighneśa sārathyāya namaḥ49 | Prostrations to the one who is shown the right path by Arka Gaṇapati. |
śrī praśna vighneśa bodhitāyanamaḥ50 | Prostrations to the one who received preachings from Praśna Gaṇapati. |
śrī śānti vighneśvarākārāya namaḥ51 | Prostrations to the one who is the Embodiment of Shanti Gaṇapati. |
śrī mahimodhvārakāya namaḥ52 | Prostrations to the one showers miracles. |
śrī prabhave namaḥ53 | Prostrations to the one who is Universal lord. |
śrī vidyuttantrī sparśa dakṣāya namaḥ57 | Prostrations to the one who resists the power of electric wires. |
śrī yogavidyutpradāya namaḥ58 | Prostrations to the one who transfers yogic energy. |
śrī homajvālāḷi madhyagāya namaḥ76 | Prostrations to the one who stands amidst the flames of Homa. |
śrī saccidānandeśabhaktāya namaḥ77 | Prostrations to the one who is devoted to Sachchidanandeshvara |
śrī svalīnadatta sarvāṅgāya namaḥ79 | Prostrations to the one in whom the various forms of Datta are merged. |
śrī dattātreya svarūpiṇe namaḥ80 | Prostrations to the one who is in the form of Dattātreya. |
śrī nṛsiṃha sthāpakāya namaḥ83 | Prostrations to the one who manifested as Lord Nṛsiṃha. |
śrī viśvaprārthanā mandireśvarāya namaḥ86 | Prostrations to the one who is the Lord of the Universal Prayer Hall. |
śrī dattavēṅkaṭa vallabhāya namaḥ88 | Prostrations to the one who serves Datta Veṅkaṭeśvara. |
śrī avyayāya namaḥ94 | Prostrations to the one who is eternal. |
śrī virāgivanditāya namaḥ95 | Prostrations to the one who is saluted by the ascetics. |
śrī nityarakṣakāya namaḥ100 | Prostrations to the one who always saves. |
śrī vedarakṣakāya namaḥ102 | Prostrations to the one who protects the Vedas. |
śrī śrī śrī tattvampadaikyabodhre namaḥ106 | Prostrations to the one who preaches the oneness of "the " (tat) and you (tvam). |
śrī akhaṇḍānandadāyakāya namaḥ107 | Prostrations to the giver of endless bliss. |
Sadgurudeva has undertaken to protect dharma101, perform Śrī Chakra puja daily72 and engage in daily homas70, with an interest in Gaṇapati homas54. These four (4) austerities, together with the reluctance towards materialistic worldly education47, comprise five (5) names focusing on His dharmic pursuits.
The accomplished mahā yogī is skilled in at least sixteen (16) competencies. He propagates Kriya yoga104, having secretly practiced yoga21 and exhibited childhood powers16, prowess at Rajayoga23 and Śrīvidya22. When one listens to this Nadabrahma’s93 bhajan compositions, it becomes quite evident that He is also an expert in poetry65 and lyricism89, using music therapy92 and rāga rāgiṇī96 to pervade Nadamantapam85 , Raga Ragini Samudaya Bhavan and more recently, Yoga Sangeeta Nada Bhavana. He further brings about healing, using herbs and gems91, being a curator of the Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden and the Vishwam museum at Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysuru. So many devotees around the world can attest to Pujya Dattaji’s cures for their diseases60 even when traditional medicine could take them no further. This Sthitaprajna has won over both enemity40 and love41, and also negligence42.
Seven (7) names pay tribute to auspicious locations associated with his life story – He lived in Jayalakshmipuram15, likes the confluence of Kaveri and Arkavati rivers13 (the sangama), resides at the central point of three mountains14, and (His main asrama, Avadhoota Datta Peetham) is situated at (the base of) the Chamundi hills68. He likes the peak at Śrī Śailam73, bathed in seven seas97, and visited seven continents98. As this analysis is being presented, the golden jubilee viṣva dharma vijaya yātra of Pujya Dattaji, or in other words, his 50th international tour to promote dharma is being commemorated!
Another seven (7) names elaborate on how Gaṇapathy Sachchidananda Sadguru108 personifies the ideal Guru. He is Sadguru1, soft hearted20, interested in Guru seva37, prevents difficulties of devotees61, adored by disciples of various countries99 and eliminates differences among people105. His Holiness is known for testing His devotees and teaching important lessons through experience and heart-to-heart communication, enabling them to face modern challenges, while also simplifying and propagating sacred knowledge.
This renown pillar of spirituality has consecrated establishments like the Saptasvara temple84, located inside Nada Mantapam, this shrine is the first of its kind with Murtis representing the seven musical notes enshrined. Sadgurudeva Pujya Dattaja has also established Dattapeetham81 of Mysuru and numerous Datta centres82 throughout the world.
Śrī Śrī Śrī Gaṇapati Saccidānanda Sadguru Aṣṭōttara Śatanāmāvaḷi
1. śrī sadgurave namaḥ
2. śrī saccidānandāya namaḥ
3. śrī sajjana śrīpradāya namaḥ
4. śrī śivāya namaḥ
5. śrī jayalakṣmīsutāya namaḥ
6. śrī nityāya namaḥ
7. śrī nṛsiṃha tanayāya namaḥ
8. śrī navāya namaḥ
9. śrī kāverī salilotpannāya namaḥ
10. śrī citrabhānu śaradbhavāya namaḥ
11. śrī brahmakuṇḍa prabhārūpāya namaḥ
12. śrī bhāradvājasa gotrakāya namaḥ
13. śrī kāveryarkāsaṅga saktāya namaḥ
14. śrī triśailāntara bindugāya namaḥ
15. śrī jayalakṣmī purāvāsāya namaḥ
16. śrī krīḍāvyakta tapobalāya namaḥ
17. śrī śrutibhaṅgaklānta cittāya namaḥ
18. śrī svamātṛ bodhita yogakāya namaḥ
19. śrī kodaṇḍarāma suprītāya namaḥ
20. śrī komalāya namaḥ
21. śrī gūḍha sādhānāya namaḥ
22. śrī śrīvidyānipuṇāya namaḥ
23. śrī rājayoga mārgagāya namaḥ
24. śrī ūrjitāya namaḥ
25. śrī ekādaśa vayaḥ prāpta śaktipātāya namaḥ
26. śrī gurupriyāya namaḥ
27. śrī āñjaneyālayāsaktāya namaḥ
28. śrī rājeśī darśanotsavāya namaḥ
29. śrī bhallūka mitrāya namaḥ
30. śrī bhadrāṅgāya namaḥ
31. śrī haṭhayoga samāśritāya namaḥ
32. śrī dhvajastambhāgra sañcārāya namaḥ
33. śrī haṭhāt khaṇḍita lambikāya namaḥ
34. śrī sāmudrika surekhāḍhyāya namaḥ
35. śrī nāga mitrāya namaḥ
36. śrī śucismitāya namaḥ
37. śrī gurusēvāratāya namaḥ
38. śrī sādhupriyāya namaḥ
39. śrī madhukara vratāya namaḥ
40. śrī jitavairāya namaḥ
41. śrī jitāsaṅgāya namaḥ
42. śrī jitaudāsīnyāya namaḥ
43. śrī unnatāya namaḥ
44. śrī gaṇeśadatta brahmopadeśāya namaḥ
45. śrī antarmukhasthitaye namaḥ
46. śrī arka mūla ratāya namaḥ
47. śrī lokavidyā vimukhāya namaḥ
48. śrī uttamāya namaḥ
49. śrī arka vighneśasārathyāya namaḥ
50. śrī praśna vighneśa bodhitāyanamaḥ
51. śrī śānti vighneśvarākārāya namaḥ
52. śrī mahimodhvārṣakāya namaḥ
53. śrī prabhave namaḥ
54. śrī gaṇeśahoma saṃsaktāya namaḥ
55. śrī vikhyātāya namaḥ
56. śrī vibudhāśritāya namaḥ
57. śrī vidyuttantrī sparśa dakṣāya namaḥ
58. śrī yogavidyutpradāya namaḥ
59. śrī vibhave namaḥ
60. śrī bhaktarogaharāya namaḥ
61. śrī bhakta nānākaṣṭa nivārakāya namaḥ
62. śrī satyanārāyaṇāya namaḥ
63. śrī satyāya namaḥ
64. śrī satyānandāya namaḥ
65. śrī satkavaye namaḥ
66. śrī nāmabhrājadgaṇapataye namaḥ
67. śrī agastya munibodhitāya namaḥ
68. śrī cāmuṇḍīgiri mūlasthāya namaḥ
69. śrī nāmasaṅkīrtanotsukāya namaḥ
70. śrī nityahomāya namaḥ
71. śrī niṣkāmāya namaḥ
72. śrī nitya śrīcakrapūjakāya namaḥ
73. śrī śrīśaila śṛṅga suprītāya namaḥ
74. śrī koṭi liṅgasthalī priyāya namaḥ
75. śrī turyāśrama samullāsāya namaḥ
76. śrī homajvālāḷi madhyagāya namaḥ
77. śrī saccidānandeśabhaktāya namaḥ
78. śrī saccidānanda nāmakāya namaḥ
79. śrī svalīnadatta sarvāṃśāya namaḥ
80. śrī dattātreya svarūpiṇe namaḥ
81. śrī dattapīṭhasthāpakāya namaḥ
82. śrī datta kṣetra vivardhakāya namaḥ
83. śrī nṛsiṃha sthāpakāya namaḥ
84. śrī saptasvarāyatana kāriṇe namaḥ
85. śrī nādamaṇḍapagāya namaḥ
86. śrī viśvaprārthanā mandireśvarāya namaḥ
87. śrī mūlikāvana sañcārāya namaḥ
88. śrī dattavēṅkaṭa vallabhāya namaḥ
89. śrī vāggeyakārāya namaḥ
90. śrī advandvāya namaḥ
91. śrī mūlikāratnavaidyakāya namaḥ
92. śrī nādavaidyakaḷāvīrāya namaḥ
93. śrī nādabrahmaṇe namaḥ
94. śrī avyayāya namaḥ
95. śrī virāgivanditāya namaḥ
96. śrī rāgarāgiṇī tantra rakṣakāya namaḥ
97. śrī saptasāgara susnātāya namaḥ
98. śrī saptakhaṇḍa vihāriṇe namaḥ
99. śrī nānādeśastha śiṣyāḷī sevitāya namaḥ
100. śrī nityarakṣakāya namaḥ
101. śrī dharmasaṃsthāpakāya namaḥ
102. śrī vedarakṣakāya namaḥ
103. śrī bhaktibodhakāya namaḥ
104. śrī kriyāyogācāryavaryāya namaḥ
105. śrī bhedabhāva nivartakāya namaḥ
106. śrī śrī śrī tattvampadaikyabodhre namaḥ
107. śrī akhaṇḍānandadāyakāya namaḥ
108. śrī gaṇapati saccidānanda sadgurave namaḥ
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