Shloka 15
Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons
Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions
अत्रे: पत्न्यनसूया त्रीञ्जज्ञे सुयशस: सुतान् । दत्तं दुर्वाससं सोममात्मेशब्रह्मसम्भवान् ॥ १५ ॥
atreḥ patny anasūyā trīñ jajñe suyaśasaḥ sutān dattaṁ durvāsasaṁ somam ātmeśa-brahma-sambhavān
Anasūyā, the wife of Ṛṣi Atri, gave birth to three most renowned sons—Soma, Dattātreya, and Durvāsā—who were partial manifestations of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva. Soma was a portion of Brahmā, Dattātreya a portion of Viṣṇu, and Durvāsā a portion of Śiva.
In this verse we find the words ātma-īśa-brahma-sambhavān. Ātma means the Supersoul, or Viṣṇu, īśa means Lord Śiva, and brahma means the four-headed Lord Brahmā. The three sons born of Anasūyā — Dattātreya, Durvāsā and Soma — were born as partial representations of these three demigods. Ātma is not in the category of the demigods or living entities because He is Viṣṇu; therefore He is described as vibhinnāṁśa-bhūtānām. The Supersoul, Viṣṇu, is the seed-giving father of all living entities, including Brahmā and Lord Śiva. Another meaning of the word ātma may be accepted in this way: the principle who is the Supersoul in every ātmā — or, one may say, the soul of everyone — became manifested as Dattātreya, because the word aṁśa, “part and parcel,” is used here.
FAQs
This verse states that Anasūyā, wife of Atri Ṛṣi, gave birth to three famous sons—Datta (Dattātreya), Durvāsā, and Soma—who manifested as expansions of the Supreme Lord, Śiva, and Brahmā.
Bhāgavatam presents them as divinely empowered manifestations (aṁśa/śaktyāveśa forms) connected with the principal cosmic functions—preservation (Viṣṇu/Ātma), dissolution (Śiva/Īśa), and creation (Brahmā).
It teaches reverence for divine order and sacred lineage: recognize that great personalities may carry specific divine empowerment, and cultivate humility and devotion when encountering exalted spiritual power.