In this verse, some very special meanings are being explained.

Brahmanyaṃ dharma tattvajnam bhakta keerti vivardhanaṃ ǀ

Bhaktābhiṣṭa pradaṃ vande smaṛtrgāmi sano’vatu ǀǀ

We should constantly keep in mind that this Lord does not have a name. Dattatreya means ‘Atri’s gift’ and is not his name. We should understand that ‘smaṛtṛgāmi sanovatu’ is itself His name! He is pleased when we just think about Him. It is said that Shiva is ‘abhisheka priya’ i.e. to Shiva, abhishekam with water of Ganga is very dear. Vishnu is ‘alankara priya’ –Vishnu loves decoration with varied flowers and peetambara. Datta is ‘smaraṇa mātra santuṣṭa’- He is very pleased when we just think of Him. When we think ‘Datta’ He is instantly pleased.

In a slightly twisted and subtle manner, the method adopted by Lord Datta to help his devotees is being explained in this verse.

Brahmaṇyaṃ: He who is agreeable/ friendly to Brahma, he who brings about the welfare of Brahma, He who brings about the prosperity of Brahma is Brahmanya. Dattatreya is the true Braḥmaṇya.

Who then is Brahma?

The word Brahma has many meanings: tapas (penance), Vedas, caste (jāti), Jnana (knowledge), creator (Sristi karta) as well as Paramatma.

Therefore, He who causes prosperity to penance (tapas) is Brahmanya. Tapas means jnana, dhyana, ekagrata (concentration), and the firm determination needed. For instance, the firm determination and the complete concentration that is shown towards completion of any task that has been begun, is tapas.

Brāhmaṇya also means the person who practices Vedas and who makes them audible to all the living beings. It also refers to the person who causes welfare to people of all castes and who imparts knowledge (jnana) to others. You may question- how can knowledge be distributed? When any being prays for knowledge, he should be able to bless him in such a way that causes an increase in the knowledge of that person. He who walks in a path that is favourable to this creation and to the creator is Brahmanya. Brāhmaṇya also refers to that being who has understood about Parabrahma (who has realised Parabrahma).

He to whom every definition explained above is applicable is the true Braḥmaṇya. He is none other than Lord Dattatreya.

The word Brahma instantly brings to memory the words ‘Guru Brahma’.

All these traits are simultaneously seen in the Sadguru. For this reason, Sadguru is addressed as ‘Guru Brahma’. Why is the Guru addressed as Brahma? This is because He can bless the devotee with any or all of the positions that were explained as meanings to this word ‘Brahma’. In the form of Shiva, our Guru removes all our sins and hence we address him as Guru devo Maheshwara.

Dharma tattvajna: For all the reasons mentioned above, He is dharma tattvajna.

He is adept in the knowledge of manava dharmas (dharmas of humans). He is also completely aware of that, which would be obtained by the human beings, when they adhere to the dharmas laid down. In addition, He is proficient in the tattva (knowledge) that is explained in all the scriptures related to dharma (dharma shastras). What is it that is needed to uplift these human beings? What is the goal/ final essence that they attain? All these are very well known to Him.

Bhakta Keerti Vivardhanam:

Dattatreya is the first Guru (ādi Guru murti). Eternally He preaches to his devotees the essence of Brahma (Brahma tattva) and the essence of dharma (dharma tattva). We have understood the meaning of the word Brahma. Dharma is the set of rules of righteousness. By imparting this knowledge to his devotees at all times, He is blessing them with keerti (glory). At all times His focus is on ensuring the devotees’ glory.

Bhaktābhiṣṭa pradaṃ: He also ensures that all the desires of the devotee are fulfilled.

In addition to causing their renown, He fulfills the desires that are in their mind from various births. While granting to them only what is rightfully due to them, He causes in them a feeling that they have attained everything sought by them. Through this illusion He uplifts them.

The devotee who adamantly states –“I demand this particular desire of mine has to be 100% fulfilled” is actually not a devotee at all. A true devotee is he who leaves his desire in entirety to Paramatma. Devotees entertain various desires. It is impossible to fulfill them all. Assume there are two patients in a hall and the same doctor treats them both. To one he gives an injection due to which the patient is able to walk about freely. Can the second patient, who is still in bed, demand that the same medication be prescribed to him? The diseases being different need different treatment procedures. The second patient has to be in bed for a longer while for his body to heal. He cannot complain that the doctor has been unfair to him.

“My Guru has blessed that person with riches. He has granted him everything. Look at this guy. Guru has converted him into a pundit when he was so ignorant earlier”- it is wrong to draw such comparisons seeing other devotees. You should understand that they needed this treatment. Their karma was written in that fashion. From there also they will be brought down. From there also they will face problems (tāpatraya). It is none of your business.

He will grant, to each what is desired/ needed based on the time and situation. At the same time, He causes an illusion as if He has granted exactly what he/she had sought. There are some who think- ‘What I desire is immaterial. Let Him grant whatever He wants’. These are the true devotees. “To entertain this desire was a mistake on my part. Please excuse me. Do per Your wish”- such devotees say. “Perhaps this little is what I was destined for. Why should I then entertain great expectations? So now I am contented with this little return.”

Thus while fulfilling the desires of the devotees, the Lord grants jnana. Through the processes of Brahma jnana and dharma jnana, He fulfills the desires. This is one of the methods through which Lord Datta blesses his devotees. This is such a wonderful method.

Vande: To this Lord we offer our obeisance.

Smaṛtṛgāmi sanovatu May that Lord who responds instantly when called, protect us all!

Under no circumstances we should forget this key words Smaṛtṛgāmi sanovatu.