Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.3.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDattātreya Teaches About the Spirit Soul
“The sixth incarnation of the puruṣa was the son of the sage Atri. He was born from the womb of Anasūyā, who prayed for an incarnation. He spoke on the subject of transcendence to Alarka, Prahlāda and others [Yadu, Haihaya, etc.].”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord appeared as Dattātreya, the son of Ṛṣi Atri and Anasūyā. He is described as the sixth incarnation of the puruṣa.
- Anasūyā prayed to Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva that they combine together to become her son. The lords accepted her prayer.
- As Dattātreya, the Lord explained the philosophy of the spirit soul. He especially instructed Alarka, Prahlāda, Yadu and Haihaya.
Try this today
Reread the passage about Dattātreya's teaching and write down one question you have about the spirit soul.
Ask yourself
What place does learning about the spirit soul have in your daily priorities?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.