Dattatreya

📘 Book Details

• Author: Antonio Rigopoulos

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Language: A Study of the Transformative and Inclusive Character of a Multi-Faceted Hindu Deity

• Edition: 2000

• ISBN: 9788170306733

• Pages: 358 (13 B&W Illustrations)

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 22 cm × 14 cm

• Weight: 400 gm

English Description

A richly researched monograph exploring the multi-dimensional deity Dattatreya—yogi, guru, and avatara—across time, tradition, and sect.

🔹 About the Book:

Antonio Rigopoulos presents a groundbreaking and deeply contextualized exploration of Dattatreya, one of Hinduism’s most enigmatic and integrative deities. Blending the roles of Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) with Tantric yogi, spiritual teacher, and avatar, Dattatreya’s identity reflects the synthesis of diverse religious traditions including Vedantic, Tantric, Bhakti, Nath, and even Sufi influences.

While Maharashtra remains the heartland of his worship, Dattatreya’s presence and philosophical resonance extends across India’s spiritual geography, engaging yogis, Brahmins, Sufi faqirs, outcastes, saints, and even ascetics. This book offers a complete profile of Dattatreya’s evolution from Puranic mythology to living devotional practices, weaving together elements of myth, ritual, doctrine, iconography, and philosophy.

🔹 Key Highlights:

• Comprehensive Scholarly Analysis:
  The book covers Dattatreya's emergence in Puranic and Upanishadic texts, his symbolic synthesis of Yoga and Tantra, and his multifaceted role in Marathi integrative spirituality.

• Rare Interfaith and Social Reach:
  Rigopoulos explores how Dattatreya transcends religious boundaries—embraced in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sufi Islam—and worshipped by saints and social outcasts alike.

• An Icon of Syncretism:
  Dattatreya is presented as a unifying spiritual figure embodying non-dualism (Advaita) and a “honeybee yogi”, absorbing the essence of multiple yogic and devotional currents.

• Deeply Contextual Approach:
  This work dives into religious syncretism, Maharashtrian religiosity, and the convergence of Saiva, Vaisnava, and Shakta traditions, offering a case study in the fluidity of Indian religious identities.

• Visual & Textual Richness:
  With 13 black-and-white illustrations and exhaustive references, this book is ideal for scholars, students, and spiritually curious readers.