Dattatreya
Description
Dattatreya is a syncretic deity which is considered to be incarnation of three Hindu gods Brahma,Vishnu and Shiva also known as Trimurti. Therefore, his attributes include attributes of these three gods.Dattatreya is always depicted holding shankha (conch), chakra (discus), gada (mace), padma (lotus), kamandalu (water pitcher), trishula (trident) and damaru (drum). In this elegant six-armed image Dattatreya is shown holding trishula (trident), japamala(rosary), gada (mace) in his right hands and shankha (conch), padma (lotus), kamandalu (water pitcher) in his left hands. He is wearing short dhoti and is holding a zoli (begging bag) on his left shoulder. He is wearing necklaces of rudraksha beads and yajnopavita (sacred thread). He is wearing typical chappals known as khadaws.
In his pictorial depictions, Dattatreya is always shown surrounded by four dogs representing the four Vedas and a cow representing the earth which is not shown in this image.
Sir D.J. Tata Collection.
Collection
Indian Decorative Art
Object Type
Sculpture
Material
Ivory
Schools/Culture/Period
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Technique
Ivory Carving
Date
20th Century CE
Location
Probably Deccan
Dimension
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