Why is Lord Dattatreya not heard in any of the sects?

[Smt. Sudha Rani asked: In each sect in Hinduism (such as Śaivism, Vaiṣṇavism, Śākteyam, Gāṇāpatyam), other Gods are mentioned with lesser priority. Ex: In Śaivism, Lord Viṣṇu and Lord Brahmā are given lesser importance compared to Lord Śiva. But we don't get to hear about Lord Dattātreya with relation to any of these Gods in any of these sects. Please throw some light on this. - At Your Divine Lotus feet, Sudha.]

Swāmi replied:- Vaiṣṇavas give importance to God Viṣṇu treating Śiva and Brahmā as the devotees of Viṣṇu. Śaivas give importance to God Śiva treating Viṣṇu and Brahmā as the devotees of Śiva. Similarly, devotees of God Brahmā (Sages called Hairaṇyagarbhavādins) give importance to God Brahmā treating Viṣṇu and Śiva as the devotees of Brahmā. When these ignorant devotees saw God Dattātreya with the three faces of God Brahmā, God Viṣṇu and God Śiva simultaneously, they were confused because neither Brahmā nor Viṣṇu nor Śiva can be made as the devotees of God Datta. To remove this illusion based ignorance of devotees only, God Datta appeared to Sage Atri, Sati Anasūyā and other Sages with three faces. Since then, the realisation of one God in many divine forms of media developed in the world of devotees.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★