Direct Dattatreya Darshan to Disciple

Our idea of God is often that of a “superhuman,” a being who looks like a man but possesses unimaginable powers. We place expectations upon God yet rarely ask *what God truly is*, *how He acts*, or *what His limits may be*. To understand this, consider Surya Narayana, whose heat is so intense that even from millions of miles away it can ignite forests. If the Sun came even slightly closer, the world would be reduced to ashes. Every deity too possesses an incredibly powerful aura—what modern language would call an “energy field.” This brilliance is so intense that humans cannot withstand direct divine presence. Thus, when a human receives darshan, the deity must moderate its radiance, a softening that occurs only through the Guru’s grace. The deity’s power remains unchanged—only its expression becomes gentle for the devotee.

A devotee may win God’s heart, as Namdev did with Vitthal, but even such divine favor does not alter one’s *prarabdha* nor give *atma-jnana*. Transforming a human into a “Narayana” is not the work of God—it is solely the Guru’s work. This was clearly shown in Namdev’s life. When saints called him a “raw vessel” because he lacked a Guru, Namdev felt insulted. Vitthal Himself then instructed him: “Without a Guru, no one attains spiritual upliftment. You must take a Guru.” Namdev begged Vitthal to be his Guru, but Vitthal said, “I cannot be Guru to anyone.” He instructed Namdev to visit the Shiva temple at sunrise and accept whoever was present as his Guru. There Namdev found a poor man sleeping with his feet on the Shiva lingam. When scolded, the man told him to place his feet elsewhere—and wherever Namdev moved them, a new lingam appeared. Realizing that only Mahadev could protect this man so completely, Namdev understood that this was Visoba Khechar, the Guru chosen for him. He surrendered and received the first lesson of divine knowledge.

Just as God sent Namdev to a Guru, in another incident the Guru himself enabled a disciple to receive direct darshan of Dattatreya. Vyankatanath Maharaj frequently stayed in Nagpur at the home of Annasaheb Kolte. Annasaheb’s mother always sat quietly among the devotees. One day Maharaj addressed her: “You wonder who will guide you now that your Guru has passed. Tell me your wish—I shall fulfill it.” She replied, “I want direct darshan of Lord Dattatreya, but my Guru is no more.” Maharaj said, “Do not worry. Follow the sadhana I instruct. When darshan occurs, know that your Guru and I are one.” He instructed her to practise nightly from 11 PM to 2 AM.

Six months passed with no visible change. She complained, and Maharaj replied, “A soiled vessel must be scrubbed before it shines. Continue.” Soon a fearsome yati appeared during her sadhana, threatening to kill her unless she stopped. When she refused, he threw a trishul that wounded her arm. She remained unmoving. Maharaj treated the wound and told her to continue. The yati returned and asked what she desired. She said, “Only the darshan of Dattatreya.” He tempted her with worldly boons; she rejected them all.

One night during her sadhana, an audumbar tree appeared before her, and beneath it sat Lord Dattatreya Himself. He asked what she wished for. She said, “In every birth, may I obtain my Guru.” Dattatreya blessed her and disappeared. This revealed again the truth: Nothing is impossible in the Nath Panth. With Guru’s grace, even the impossible becomes an everyday reality. Guru’s work has no competition—it is simply the upliftment of devotees. One must remain in the Guru’s presence, absorbing grace throughout life.

dattatreya darshan,nath sampradaya miracles,vyankatanath maharaj,namdev visoba story,guru grace nath tradition

How a disciple received direct darshan of Dattatreya through Guru’s grace, revealing the miraculous power of the Nath tradition.