Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 33
Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons
Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions
सोमोऽभूद्ब्रह्मणोंऽशेन दत्तो विष्णोस्तु योगवित् । दुर्वासा: शङ्करस्यांशो निबोधाङ्गिरस: प्रजा: ॥ ३३ ॥
somo ’bhūd brahmaṇo ’ṁśena datto viṣṇos tu yogavit durvāsāḥ śaṅkarasyāṁśo nibodhāṅgirasaḥ prajāḥ
Thereafter, from the partial representation of Brahmā, the moon-god was born of them; from the partial representation of Viṣṇu, the great mystic Dattātreya was born; and from the partial representation of Śaṅkara [Lord Śiva], Durvāsā was born. Now you may hear from me of the many sons of Aṅgirā.
FAQs
This verse states that Dattātreya, renowned as a master of yoga, appeared as an expansion of Lord Viṣṇu.
He is outlining sacred genealogies and identifying notable beings as partial manifestations of the principal deities, before continuing with the lineage of Aṅgirā.
It encourages reverence for authentic spiritual lineages and reminds seekers to see extraordinary sages and deities in relation to the Supreme Lord’s divine arrangement.