śrī datta bāvanī

Victory to You, O Lord of Yogis, Dattatreya, the compassionate one; You alone are the protector of the world.

Taking Atri and Anasuya as the cause, You have certainly manifested for the sake of the world.

You are the incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; you are the support for those who have surrendered to you.

You are the indwelling spirit, the embodiment of the Absolute; outwardly, you appear in the beautiful form of a Guru.

The alms-bowl of Annapurna is under the arm, and the water-pot of peace is in the lotus-hand.

Where are the six arms, where are the four? You are indeed the one with infinite arms.

I am a child ignorant of your feet; O Digambara, my life is departing.

Hearing the call of Arjuna's devotion, You manifested Yourself, pleased.

You bestowed boundless wealth and spiritual powers, and in the end, the ultimate essence of the supreme state of liberation.

Why have you delayed today? Without you, I have no support.

You lovingly fed the Brahmin Vishnu Sharma at the shraddha ceremony.

When the gods were tormented by Jambha, you comforted them with the nectar of your compassion.

The illusion of the demon spread forth; did Indra not slay him immediately?

Such are the divine plays performed by Shiva; how can they all be described?

You grant long life to those who seek children, and you make them free from all desires.

You enlightened Yadu and Parashurama, and fulfilled the desires of the gods and the selfless Prahlada.

Such is your unfathomable grace; why do you not hear my call?

Run to me, O Infinite One, look not at my end; do not bring this child to an end in the middle.

Seeing the affection shown by the Brahmin's wife, You undoubtedly became her son.

He who comes to those who remember Him, the compassionate one who removes the sorrows of the Kali Yuga; He who saved the dull-witted washerman, O merciful One.

You saved the Brahmin suffering from a stomach ailment, and you uplifted the noble Brahmin.

Why do you not help me, O Ageless One? Look upon my old age with a compassionate eye.

You made the withered tree sprout; you became compassionate towards me.

The barren woman’s dream of a son was fulfilled, and the house was blessed with a jewel of a child.

Seeing the longing of the Brahmin, He fulfills the desire of his heart.

You milked the barren buffalo, and you removed the poverty of the Brahmin.

Having eaten the beans, He was pleased and content, and lovingly gifted a golden pot.

You brought the dead husband of the Brahmin woman back to life; You are the ultimate support.

He removed the suffering caused by spirits and brought the brave son of the Brahmin back to life.

You saved Trivikrama by snatching the Brahmin's wife from the hands of the outcast.

In an instant, You gave Your vision to the weaver devotee in a unique way.

At one time, You manifested in eight forms, and then again, You became formless.

You satisfied your noble devotees, by showing them your presence directly.

You cured the leprosy of the Yavana king; equality and compassion are dear to You.

You assumed the forms of Rama and Krishna, and performed divine plays, O Digambara!

You delivered the stone-woman, the courtesan, and the hunter; animals and birds also call out to You.

O Savior of the lowly, Your auspicious name fulfills all desires of those who sing it.

All mental, physical, and worldly afflictions and ego vanish when one worships with devotion.

Black magic and spells do not affect those who know Him; by remembering Him, a person attains liberation.

Dākini, Shākini, Mahishāsura, ghosts, demons, spirits, and evil beings.

Clenching the fist, they flee, upon hearing the prayer of the smoke.

Whoever performs the incense offering and recites the Datta Bavani with devotion and discipline.

He attains both this world and the next; no sorrow remains in his mind.

Success waits upon him like a handmaid, and poverty and calamities flee far away.

Whoever recites these fifty-two verses with devotion on a Thursday, shall have all their desires fulfilled.

A wise person who remembers Him whenever they have the opportunity, will never be punished by Yama.

He is the one who takes many forms and is eternal; by worshipping Him, the illusions of the world do not hinder one.

A thousand names and many forms, yet Dattatreya Digambara is ultimately one.

I bow to you again and again; the Vedas are your breath, this is certain.

Even Shesha is exhausted while describing You; who am I, a mere pauper, to attempt such a task in my many guises?

Hearing the expressions of one satisfied by experience, he who laughs shall be beaten.

You are the essence of all penance, O Lord. Proclaim the victory of Shri Gurudev.