Dattatreya or Datta (Dattā) is a Hindu deity considered to be an avatar (incarnation) of the three Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, collectively known as Trimurti. The name Dattatreya is composed of two words - "Datta" (meaning given) and "Atreya" referring to the sage Atri, his physical father. But Dattatreya is not really a name because Lord Datta never had Naama Samskara (a name-giving ceremony). He was known as the One who gave Himself to Atri and over eons that became his name. In reality he is verily the personification of the Maha Sankalpa who is the cause for the manifestation of Aadi Parashakti to emerge and the Trimutris to emerge from Her.