1. Meticulously following the Achardharma (Code of righteous conduct) according to the four varnas (Classes) and Ashrams (Stages of life).
2. Following the Path of Yoga and initiation through Shaktipat (Self-realisation by transmission of spiritual energy from the Guru).
3. Following sectarian rules (discipline) is important.
4. Performing rigorous rituals such as Dattatreya puja and undergoing physical hardship.
5. Adhering firmly to norms of sovale -ovale.
6. Earlier, most Idols had only one face. However, in the present times an Idol with three faces is common. Instead of an Idol, in some places paduka (Wooden slippers) and the Audumbar (note) tree are worshipped.
7. Devotees of Shri Datta read the Holy text Gurucharitra, recite it aloud and hear its recitation with great devotion and bhav (Spiritual emotion).
8. Satyadatta-puja or Dattatreya puja (Ritualistic worship), like the Satyanarayan-puja.
9. Before commencing the ritualistic worship of Shri Datta or Dattatreya puja, drawing sattvik rangolis associated with the Datta Principle
Especially on Thursday and on Datta Jayanti, draw sattvik (note) rangolis which attract and emit Datta Principle, at home or in the temple. Due to these rangolis, the environment is charged with the Datta Principle and the devotees benefit from it. Fill sattvik (note) colours such as yellow, blue, pink in these rangolis.
10. Some daily rituals ( Dattatreya puja) related to the worship of Shri Datta
Every Deity has a specific science underlying its worship. This implies that performing every ritual in a specific manner during the worship of a specific Deity, has a specific science underlying it. Due to this ritual, the devotee is able to imbibe maximum Principle of that Deity. The table ahead provides details of daily rituals ( for Dattatreya puja ) pertaining to the worship of Shri Datta compiled by Mrs. Anjali Gadgil.
| Act of worship | Knowledge about the act |
|---|---|
| 1. Before worshipping Shri Datta, how should the worshipper apply gandha (Sandalwood paste) to himself ? | Applying a vertical tilak (just as Shrivishnu has on Him) with the ring finger |
| 2. With which finger should gandha be applied ? | With the ring finger |
| 3. Offering flowers during Dattatreya puja
A. Which flowers should be offered for Dattatreya puja
B. In what number flowers should be offered for Dattatreya puja?
C. How should the flowers be offered during Dattatreya puja
D. In what shape should the flowers be offered during Dattatreya puja |
Jai (Common jasmine) and nishigandha (Tuberose)
Seven or in multiples of seven
The stalk should be towards the Deity
Hollow rhombus shape |
| 4. Waving incense- sticks during Dattatreya puja
A. Incense-sticks of which fragrance should be waved for tarak (Saviour form) worship for Dattatreya puja?
B. Incense-sticks of which fragrance should be waved for marak (Destroyer form) worship for Dattatreya puja?
C. In what number
D. What should be the method of waving incense-sticks during the Dattatreya puja? |
Chandan, kevada (Screwpine), chameli (Jasmine), jai (Common jasmine) and ambar Two
Heena
Two
Holding it between the thumb and the index finger of the right hand, and moving it three times in a clockwise direction |
| 5. Which fragrance should be offered during Dattatreya puja? | Vala (Vetiver) |
| 6. Minimum of how many pradakshinas (Circumambulations) should be performed around Shri Datta during Dattatreya puja? | Seven |
11. Sadhana mantra of some sects – ‘Shri Gurudev Datta’
Shri Datta is Gurudev (Spiritual Master). He is supposed to be worshipped in the form of the Guru. Various forms of worship, for example – puja, Arati (Ritual of waving a lit lamp in front of a Deity), bhajan (Devotional songs) etc. bestow benefit of the Principle of the Deity. However, since all these have their limitations, the benefit obtained is also limited. For continuous benefit from the Deity Principle, worship of the Deity should also be continuous. The only form of worship that can be continuous is chanting. Shri Datta has several Names. The chant of His Name ‘Shri Gurudev Datta’ is most common. Devotees of Shri Datta should chant this Name continuously.
To imbibe maximum extent of the Deity Principle, recitation of the chant should be appropriate from the spiritual perspective.
Since Shri Datta is the Supreme Guru, the Guru-disciple tradition (in which the Guru is a human being) did not continue in the Datta sect.
12. Shri Datta Jayanti (Birthday of Shri Datta)
On the Pournima (Full moon day) in the Hindu lunar month of Margashirsha (approximately in December), devotees of Shri Datta celebrate the festival of Datta Jayanti. It is a practice to perform parayanas (Periodic, repeated reading of a Holy text) of the Gurucharitra seven days before this celebration. This is known as Gurucharitra saptaha. Bhajan, pujan and specially kirtan are forms of devotion prevalent in Audumbar and Narsobawadi in Maharashtra, and Gangapur in Karnataka – all seats of worship of Shri Datta, where this celebration has special significance.
13. Dattagayatri
दत्तात्रेयाय विद्महे । अवधूताय धीमहि ।
तन्नो दत्तः प्रचोदयात् ।।
Meaning : We know Dattatreya. We meditate upon Avadhut. May that Datta inspire our intellect.
14. Essential worship as per the times
‘Vyashti sadhana’ means worshipping and abiding by Dharma (note) for individual spiritual progress. To increase the sattvikta of the society, it is essential to perform sadhana and abide by Dharma, and also encourage the society to do the same. This is known as ‘samashti sadhana’. To achieve completeness in worship, it is essential that the worshippers of Shri Datta perform vyashti as well as samashti sadhana.
A. Providing Dharmashikshan (Education on Dharma) to the society on the worship of Shri Datta
If we understand the underlying science and abide by Dharma (note) appropriately, the result will be more productive. Hence, providing Dharmashikshan to the society as per individual ability on the various rituals included in the worship of Shri Datta and its underlying science is a superior form of samashti sadhana for the devotees of Shri Datta as per the present times.
B. Preventing denigration of Deities is the essential worship as per the present times
Today, Deities are being denigrated in various ways. Anti-Hindu artist M.F. Hussain sketched nude, vulgar pictures of Hindu Deities and put them up for sale. Deities are also being insulted through speeches and books etc. Deities are being used as models in advertisements to promote products. People in the attire of Deities beg for alms. Denigration of any kind is a blow to the faith of the devotees. Hence, this amounts to harming Dharma. Preventing harm to Dharma (note) in the present times amounts to abiding by Dharma (note) and is worship at the samashti level.
15. Some prayers to be made unto Shri Datta
1. O Shri Datta ! My earnest prayer at your Holy feet is that, just as you learnt from the virtues of twenty four Gurus, let me also develop the attitude of being able to imbibe virtues from others.
2. O Shri Datta ! Provide momentum to my deceased ancestors who are stuck in Bhuvarlok(Nether region) due to their unfulfilled desires.
3. O Shri Datta ! My earnest prayer at your Holy feet is that, protect me from the distress caused due to my deceased ancestors who have unfulfilled desires. Let your protective sheath remain continuously around me.
