The Avadhuta Gita is one of the most radical, clear, and direct expressions of non-dual truth (Advaita Vedanta) ever recorded. Spoken by Dattatreya, the eternal sage and mystic, it goes beyond religion and touches something universal — the nature of reality beyond mind, time, space, or ego.
%20Non-Dual%20Wisdom%20for%20the%20Modern%20Mind.jpg "Avadhut Gita – Chapter 3 (Verses 11–20) Non-Dual Wisdom for the Modern Mind")
This article explores Chapter 3, verses 11 to 20, in full — each shloka with Sanskrit, transliteration, English and Hindi translations, commentary, and modern Gen-Z insights. If you're looking for clarity, calm, and freedom from identity confusion in today's overstimulated world, this is for you.
Overview: What Is the Self?
In these verses, Dattatreya points to the true Self — not the ego, not the mind, not the body, but the pure consciousness that exists before thought, before identity. He repeatedly compares this Self to the sky: limitless, formless, untouched, always present.
“I am the nectar of knowledge, perfectly unified, like the sky.”
— recurring line in all ten verses
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown: With Meaning and Relevance
🔹 [3:11] Beyond Existence and Non-Existence
Sanskrit:
निर्भावभावरहितो न भवामि वत्स
निर्योगयोगरहितो न भवामि वत्स।
निश्चित्तचित्तरहितो न भवामि वत्स
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Transliteration:
nirbhāvabhāvarahito na bhavāmi vatsa
niryogayogarahito na bhavāmi vatsa
niścittacittarahito na bhavāmi vatsa
jñānāmṛtaṁ samarasaṁ gaganopamo'ham
English Translation:
My child, I am not devoid of non-existence, nor do I exist in the conventional sense.
I am not bound by unity nor absence of it.
I am not defined by mind, nor absence of mind.
I am the nectar of knowledge, homogeneous, like the sky.
Hindi:
वत्स, मैं न अस्तित्व से जुड़ा हूँ, न उससे रहित।
मैं न एकत्व में हूँ, न उसका अभाव हूँ।
मैं न चित्त में हूँ, न चित्तशून्य हूँ।
मैं ज्ञान-अमृत हूँ — समरस, आकाश-सदृश।
Commentary:
Dattatreya destroys all ideas about “being” or “not-being.” The true Self is not a state. It just is. Like the sky — it doesn’t come and go. It’s always there.
Gen Z Relevance:
In an age of identity crisis and social media labels, this verse reminds you: You are not your bio, your career, or your trauma. You're not even the opposite. You’re presence itself.
🔹 [3:12] Beyond Illusion, Grief, and Greed
Sanskrit:
निर्मोहमोहपदवीति न मे विकल्पो
निःशोकशोकपदवीति न मे विकल्पः।
निर्लोभलोभपदवीति न मे विकल्पो
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Translation (Hindi & English):
The deluded appear deluded — but I am not trapped in that illusion.
The sorrowless may seem sorrowful — but it is not my mistake.
The greedless may seem greedy — still, I remain untouched.
I am the knowledge nectar — pure and sky-like.
Insight:
This verse tells us how appearances deceive. Even enlightened beings may act within the world, but they are inwardly free. The mind misjudges what it sees.
Modern Application:
In a culture of judgment (especially online), this verse encourages grace — toward others and yourself. External behavior doesn’t always show inner reality.
🔹 [3:13] The Illusion of Worldly Growth
Sanskrit:
संसारसन्ततिलता न च मे कदाचित्
सन्तोषसन्ततिसुखो न च मे कदाचित्।
अज्ञानबन्धनमिदं न च मे कदाचित्
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Meaning:
I am not bound by the vine-like growth of worldly existence.
Even satisfaction or happiness is not truly mine.
The bondage of ignorance — not mine either.
I am the sky-like nectar of knowledge.
Explanation:
Samsara (worldly life) grows like a creeper — attaching and wrapping. But the Self is like the sky: unentangled.
Gen Z Takeaway:
Your “life progress” — jobs, goals, follower counts — are not your essence. You are already whole, already enough.
🔹 [3:14] No Modification Touches Me
Sanskrit:
संसारसन्ततिरजो न च मे विकारः
सन्तापसन्ततितमो न च मे विकारः।
सत्त्वं स्वधर्मजनकं न च मे विकारो
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Essence:
The action and restlessness of the world — not a distortion of me.
The darkness of sorrow — not a change in me.
Even goodness and righteousness don’t alter me.
I am like space — changeless.
Reflection:
Whether life is good, bad, intense, peaceful — none of it actually touches your innermost self.
Modern Parallel:
You are not the mood swings, not the external results, not even your own “good behavior.” At the core, you are still and aware.
🔹 [3:15] No Ego, No Sorrow, No Action
Sanskrit:
सन्तापदुःखजनको न विधिः कदाचित्
सन्तापयोगजनितं न मनः कदाचित्।
यस्मादहङ्कृतिरियं न च मे कदाचित्
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Summary:
No action of regret or pain is mine.
My mind is not made from sorrow.
This ego — never mine.
I am the sky-like knowledge.
Application:
Painful memories? Regrets? Egoic pride or shame? These are add-ons, not your real self.
Gen Z Wisdom:
Your past does not define you. The “you” behind all experiences is untouched, ever-present, deeply peaceful.
🔹 [3:16] Neither Movement Nor Stillness
Sanskrit:
निष्कम्पकम्पनिधनं न विकल्पकल्पं
स्वप्नप्रबोधनिधनं न हिताहितं हि।
निःसारसारनिधनं न चराचरं हि
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Interpretation:
I am not stillness nor movement.
Not dream nor wakefulness.
Not good nor bad.
I am the end of all opposites — sky-like.
Message:
Beyond sleep/wake, action/stillness, success/failure — there's you, the observer, the space.
🔹 [3:17] Beyond Mind, Speech, Intellect
Sanskrit:
नो वेद्यवेदकमिदं न च हेतुतर्क्यं
वाचामगोचरमिदं न मनो न बुद्धिः।
एवं कथं हि भवतः कथयामि तत्त्वं
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Translation:
This Self is not the known or the knower.
Not mind, logic, speech, or intellect.
So how can I describe it?
It is pure knowledge — sky-like.
Truth:
Words cannot reach it. You can’t "understand" the Self — you can only realize it.
Practical Tip:
Don’t overthink your existence. Let go of the mind for a moment. Notice what remains — that still, observing presence.
🔹 [3:18] Not Inside, Not Outside
Sanskrit:
निर्भिन्नभिन्नरहितं परमार्थतत्त्वं
मन्तर्बहिर्न हि कथं परमार्थतत्त्वम्।
प्राक्सम्भवं न च रतं नहि वस्तु किञ्चित्
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Insight:
The Supreme Reality is not divided or undivided.
Not inside or outside.
It has no cause, no attachment.
It is not a “thing.”
Gen Z Spin:
Your true self isn’t found inside or outside, through rituals or rebellion. It’s just here — silent, always.
🔹 [3:19] Free of Faults
Sanskrit:
रागादिदोषरहितं त्वहमेव तत्त्वं
दैवादिदोषरहितं त्वहमेव तत्त्वम्।
संसारशोकरहितं त्वहमेव तत्त्वं
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Essence:
No attachment, no karma, no sorrow defines me.
I am the faultless reality.
Reminder:
No matter what life throws, the Self remains untouched.
🔹 [3:20] Beyond Time and Space
Sanskrit:
स्थानत्रयं यदि च नेति कथं तुरीयं
कालत्रयं यदि च नेति कथं दिशश्च।
शान्तं पदं हि परमं परमार्थतत्त्वं
ज्ञानामृतं समरसं गगनोपमोऽहम्॥
Meaning:
If there's no waking, dream, or deep sleep — what fourth (Turīya)?
If there’s no past, present, future — what directions?
The highest Truth is the still, silent state.
That is me — like the sky.
Final Takeaway for Today’s World
You are not:
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Your mind
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Your emotions
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Your memories
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Your social status
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Your achievements
You are that unchanging, silent, witnessing Self — infinite, peaceful, full, and free.
Gen Z Mantra:
“I am not this confusion.
I am not this overthinking.
I am the space in which it all comes and goes.”
Want to Go Deeper?
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Meditate on: “I am the sky — everything else is just weather.”
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Use this: When anxious, pause and ask — Who is noticing this anxiety?