# Avadhuta Gita

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Sanskrit text of Hinduism

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***Avadhuta Gita*** (Devanagari: अवधूत गीता, IAST: *Avadhūta Gītā*) is a Sanskrit text of [Hinduism](/source/Hinduism) whose title means "Song of the free soul".[1] The text's poetry is based on the principles of [Advaita](/source/Advaita) and [Dvaita](/source/Dvaita) schools of [Hindu philosophy](/source/Hindu_philosophy).[2][3][4][5]

The text is attributed to [Dattatreya](/source/Dattatreya),[6] and extant manuscripts have been dated to approximately the 9th or 10th century CE. It consists of 289 *shlokas* (metered verses), divided into eight chapters.[1] The first seven chapters are the text's oldest layer, and the eighth chapter is likely a later interpolation.[7] It may have been composed in the deccan states of India, probably [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra).[8] *Avadhuta Gita* has been one of the most important texts of the [Natha](/source/Nath) Yogi tradition of Hinduism.[8]

## Date

[Abhayananda](/source/Abhayananda) states, "The actual date of authorship of the *Avadhut Gita* is unknown, but, judging by its terminology and style, it appears to have been written, not in the millennia prior to the Current Era, as legend would have it, but sometime around the 9th or 10th centuries of our Current Era. This does not, of course, preclude the possibility of an oral transmission to that point in time."[9]

## Name

The title of the text, *Avadhuta* means "liberated soul", while *Gita* means song.[2] The text describes the nature and the state of a person who is spiritually free and liberated.[2][10]

The text is also known as *Avadhuta Grantha*, *Dattatreya Gita*, *Datta Gita Yoga Shastra* and *Vedanta Sara*.[11]

## Contents

**Shiva is the soul within**

I am thus the pure Shiva, devoid of all doubt. O beloved friend, how shall I bow to my own Self, in my Self?

— *Avadhuta Gita 3.2*
Transl: Antonio Rigopoulos[12][13]

The *Avadhuta Gita* is structured in 8 chapters, wherein Dattatreya—the symbol of the highest [yogi](/source/Yogi) and monastic life—describes as the divine master and example, the journey of self-realization, thereafter the nature and state of a person who lives in his soul's truth.[14][15]

Dattatreya asserts in the text, that the self-realized person is "by nature, the formless, all pervasive Self".[2][16] He is in the state of *sama-rasya* or *samata*, which is where there are no differences between anything or anyone, neither one own's body or another person's, neither class nor gender, neither human being nor other living beings, between the abstract and the empirical universe, all is one interconnected reality, it is the unification of the One and the Beyond.[17][15] His universe, all of the universe, is within his [Atman](/source/Atman_(Hinduism)) (soul).[17] "There is never any you and I", states verse 6.22.[18]

The chapters discuss '[contemplation](/source/Contemplation)', states Rigopoulos, as well as "sahaja amṛitam" 'nectar of naturalness'.[19] Some of its teachings have been compared to the *[Bhagavad Gita](/source/Bhagavad_Gita)*.[19] The term Sahaja, that became important in both Hindu and Buddhist tantric traditions, means "transcendent Reality, or Absolute". It is equated to *Sunya* (void) in Buddhism, envisioned as a kind of "unlocated paradise", states Rigopoulos. In Hinduism, it is the interior Guru within the person, the Sadashiva, the all pervading ultimate Reality (Brahman) that is the Atman (Self) within.[20]

## Translation

- The [Brahmavadin](/source/Vedanta_Kesari) journal published an English translation of the separate chapters of the *Avadhuta Gita* in Volumes 9 through 11, in early 20th century.[16][21]

- The brief introduction with attendant English translation of the *Avadhuta Gita* by [Ashokananda](/source/Swami_Ashokananda) (1893–1969) is reproduced in Katz.[4]

- [Alexandra David-Néel](/source/Alexandra_David-N%C3%A9el), translated the text from Sanskrit into French, title *Avadhuta Gîtâ*, 1958.

## Reception

The text has been influential on the [Nath](/source/Nath) tradition of Hinduism, states Rigopoulos, and its teachings form a foundation of their *Sama-rasya* doctrine:

The transcendental reality is revealed [by Avadhuta Gita] as the Universe. In other words, the difference between what is Formless and what has Form disappears forever, and it is co-eternal with the vision of the Universe in [Atman](/source/Atman_(Hinduism)).

— Gopinath Kaviraj, Quoted by Antonio Rigopoulos[22]

Passages of the text are found in numerous Hindu texts, such as in the widely translated [Bhagavata Purana](/source/Bhagavata_Purana), which is the most popular Purana, where verses 8.2 to 8.4 of Avadhuta Gita appear as verses 11.11.29-11.11.31 as one example. The text's *nirguni* Brahman ideas influenced the poetry of [Kabir](/source/Kabir), states Rigopoulos.[23]

[Vivekananda](/source/Swami_Vivekananda) (1863–1902) held the *Avadhuta Gita* in esteem and he translated aspects of it in the following talk he gave on July 28, 1895, transcribed by his disciple Waldo:

"He who has filled the universe, He who is Self in self, how shall I salute Him!" To know the Atman as my nature is both knowledge and realisation. "I am He, there is not the least doubt of it." "No thought, no word, no deed, creates a bondage for me. I am beyond the senses, I am knowledge and bliss." There is neither existence nor non-existence, all is Atman. Shake off all ideas of relativity; shake off all superstitions; let caste and birth and Devas and all else vanish. Why talk of being and becoming? Give up talking of dualism and Advaitism! When were you two, that you talk of two or one? The universe is this Holy One and He alone. Talk not of Yoga to make you pure; you are pure by your very nature. None can teach you.[24]

## See also

- [Bhagawad Gita](/source/Bhagawad_Gita)

- [Ashtavakra Gita](/source/Ashtavakra_Gita)

- [Bhagavata Purana](/source/Bhagavata_Purana)

- [The Ganesha Gita](/source/Ganesha_Purana#The_Ganesha_Gita)

- [Puranas](/source/Puranas)

- [Self-consciousness (Vedanta)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-consciousness_(Vedanta)&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Uddhava Gita](/source/Uddhava#Uddhava_Gita)

- [Vedas](/source/Vedas)

- [Prasthanatrayi](/source/Prasthanatrayi)

- [Vyadha Gita](/source/Vyadha_Gita)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998195_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998195_1-1) [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), p. 195.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDalal201050_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDalal201050_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDalal201050_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDalal201050_2-3) [Dalal 2010](#CITEREFDalal2010), p. 50.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEK_P_Gietz199258_note_318_3-0)** [K P Gietz 1992](#CITEREFK_P_Gietz1992), p. 58 note 318.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-google2007_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-google2007_4-1) Katz, Jerry (2007). *One: essential writings on nonduality*. Sentient Publications. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-59181-053-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-59181-053-7), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-59181-053-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-59181-053-7). [Source](https://books.google.com/books?id=uGpZNhHcoAkC)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESharma1987183_5-0)** [Sharma 1987](#CITEREFSharma1987), p. 183.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** John A. Grimes (1996). [*A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy: Sanskrit Terms Defined in English*](https://books.google.com/books?id=qcoUFYOX0bEC). State University of New York Press. p. 110. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7914-3067-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7914-3067-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998195–196_7-0)** [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), pp. 195–196.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998195–197_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998195–197_8-1) [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), pp. 195–197.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Swami Abhayananda (1992, 2007). *Dattatreya: Song of the Avadhut: An English Translation of the 'Avadhuta Gita' (with Sanskrit Transliteration)*. Classics of mystical literature series. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-914557-15-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-914557-15-9) (paper), p.10

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998195–207_10-0)** [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), pp. 195–207.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998215_footnote_1_11-0)** [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), p. 215 footnote 1.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998205_12-0)** [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), p. 205.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHattangadi200011_13-0)** [Hattangadi 2000](#CITEREFHattangadi2000), p. 11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998196–197_14-0)** [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), pp. 196–197.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHattangadi2000_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHattangadi2000_15-1) [Hattangadi 2000](#CITEREFHattangadi2000).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-thebrahmavadin753_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-thebrahmavadin753_16-1) [*The Avadhuta Gita, Chapter 1*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Zs8aAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA753). The Brahmavâdin Volume 9. M.C. Alasingaperumal. 1904. pp. 753–761.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998200–202_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998200–202_17-1) [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), pp. 200–202.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998212_18-0)** [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), p. 212.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998_19-1) [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998201–202_20-0)** [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), pp. 201–202.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [*The Avadhuta Gita: Chapters 2 through 7*](https://books.google.com/books?id=L8caAAAAYAAJ). The Brahmavâdin Volume 10. M.C. Alasingaperumal. 1906. pp. 143–148, 183–191, 297–300, 355–359, 469–472, 525–527..

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998200_22-0)** [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), p. 200.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERigopoulos1998213_23-0)** [Rigopoulos 1998](#CITEREFRigopoulos1998), p. 213.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Vivekananda, Swami (n.d.). *The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Volume Seven.* Source: [s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 7/Inspired Talks/Sunday, July 28](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_7/Inspired_Talks/Sunday,_July_28) (accessed: Monday February 15, 2010

### Bibliography

- Dalal, Roshen (2010). [*Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide*](https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA50). Penguin Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-14-341421-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-14-341421-6).

- Hattangadi, Sunder (2000). ["अवधूत गीता (Avadhuta Gita)"](http://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_giitaa/avadhutagiitaa.pdf) (PDF) (in Sanskrit). Retrieved 4 March 2016.

- K P Gietz; et al. (1992), [*Epic and Puranic Bibliography (Up to 1985) Annoted and with Indexes: Part I: A - R, Part II: S - Z, Indexes*](https://books.google.com/books?id=kgpLBpUCufwC&pg=PA870), Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-447-03028-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-447-03028-1)

- Olivelle, Patrick (1992). *The Samnyasa Upanisads*. Oxford University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0195070453](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0195070453).

- Olivelle, Patrick (1993). *The Asrama System*. Oxford University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0195083279](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0195083279).

- Rigopoulos, Antonio (1998). *Dattatreya: The Immortal Guru, Yogin, and Avatara: A Study of the Transformative and Inclusive Character of a Multi-faceted Hindu Deity*. State University of New York Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7914-3696-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7914-3696-7).

- Sharma, Krishna (1987). [*Bhakti and the Bhakti Movement: A New Perspective : a Study in the History of Ideas*](https://archive.org/details/bhaktibhaktimov00shar). Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-8121500296](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-8121500296).

## External links

English [Wikisource](/source/Wikisource) has original text related to this article:

**[Avadhuta Gita](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/en:Translation:Avadhuta_Gita)**

**Sanskrit editions and English translations**

- [Avadhuta Gita English Audio Book](https://archive.org/details/AvadhutaGita-EnglishAudiobook)

- [Avadhuta Gita (Sanskrit) in Devanagari, PDF](http://sanskritdocuments.org/all_pdf/avadhutagiitaa.pdf)

- [Avadhuta Gita (multiple scripts and languages), install legacy fonts for viewing](https://web.archive.org/web/20100720043452/http://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/minigita/avadhuta.php3)

- [http://www.aghori.it/avadhut_gita.htm](http://www.aghori.it/avadhut_gita.htm) in English and Italian

- [Avadhuta Gita Free EBook](https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxSPrE4dtGcKQWc1WlV3LVZwZ1k) (English interpretation with Sanskrit Verses) PDF

- [Avadhuta Gita Free Android App](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.oormi.avadhutagita) (English interpretation with Sanskrit Verses)

- [Avadhut Gita translated into English with an introduction by Hari Prasad Shastri](https://www.shantisadan.org/book-content/avadhut-gita/)

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