The Avadhuta Gita is one of the most radical expressions of Advaita (non-dual) philosophy. Traditionally attributed to Dattatreya, it represents a voice that cuts through social norms, dogmas, and external identities, aiming directly at Self-realization.
In this article, we explore Chapter 2, Verses 1–10, with Sanskrit, English translation, contemporary insights, and real-life relevance.
🔹 Verse 2.1
Sanskrit:
bālasya vā viṣayabhogaratasya vāpi /
mūrkhasya sevakajanasya gṛhasthitasya //
etadguroḥ kimapi naiva na cintanīyaṁ /
ratnaṁ kathaṁ tyajati ko’pyaśucau praviṣṭam //1//
📜 English Translation:
Even if the teacher is a child, sensualist, ignorant, servant, or householder — none of these should matter. Who abandons a gem merely because it has fallen into the dirt?
Hindi:
चाहे गुरु बालक हो, इन्द्रिय भोग में लिप्त हो, मूर्ख हो, सेवक हो या गृहस्थ हो — यह सब विचारणीय नहीं है। क्या कोई रत्न को केवल इसलिए त्याग देता है क्योंकि वह गंदगी में गिर गया है?
💡 Modern Insight:
The worth of a teacher lies in their ability to transmit Truth, not in their societal status, personal habits, or appearance.
🔥 Real-World Example: Ramana Maharshi appeared as a quiet, unassuming youth — yet his silence awakened seekers across the world.
🔹 Verse 2.2
Sanskrit:
naivātra kāvyaguṇa eva tu cintanīyo /
grāhyaḥ paraṁ guṇavatā khalu sāra eva //
sindūracitrarahitā bhuvi rūpaśūnyā /
pāraṁ na kiṁ nayati nauriha gantukāmān //2//
📜 English Translation:
Poetic beauty or eloquence isn’t necessary. A person should value essence over appearance. Does a plain, unpainted boat not still carry passengers across the river?
Hindi:
यहाँ काव्य-गुण की बात नहीं है, बल्कि सार को ही ग्रहण करना चाहिए। क्या एक साधारण, बिना रंग की नाव यात्रियों को पार नहीं ले जाती?
💡 Modern Insight:
We live in a world of packaging — but substance always outweighs form. A wise teacher may look unremarkable but carry timeless wisdom.
🔹 Verse 2.3
Sanskrit:
prayatnena vinā yena niścalena calācalam /
grastaṁ svabhāvataḥ śāntaṁ caitanyaṁ gaganopamam //3//
📜 English Translation:
The unmoving One, who effortlessly sustains all that is moving and unmoving, is Consciousness — naturally serene, like the sky.
Hindi:
जो बिना प्रयास के चल-अचल सबको धारण करता है, वही चेतना है — जो अपने स्वभाव से शांत है, आकाश के समान।
✨ Key Concept: Caitanya = Consciousness
(From root cit = to know/awareness)
💡 Modern Context:
This verse is a call to discover the witness consciousness — untouched by action, effort, or restlessness. This is the state behind meditation, flow, and presence.
🔹 Verse 2.4
Sanskrit:
ayatnāchālayedyastu ekameva carācaram /
sarvagaṁ tatkathaṁ bhinnamadvaitaṁ vartate mama //4//
📜 English Translation:
How can He — the one, all-pervading Being — who moves all effortlessly, be separate? To me, He is nondual.
Hindi:
जो बिना प्रयास के सबको चलाता है, वह एक ही है — वह सर्वव्यापक है, फिर उसमें भिन्नता कैसे हो सकती है?
💡 Spiritual Insight:
Separation is an illusion. The Self is not "other" — it is all-pervading. Seeing duality is a trick of the ego, not the reality of Consciousness.
🔹 Verse 2.5
Sanskrit:
ahameva paraṁ yasmātsārātsārataraṁ śivam /
gamāgamavinirmuktaṁ nirvikalpaṁ nirākulam //5//
📜 English Translation:
I am the Supreme, more essential than the essence. I am Shiva — free from coming and going, thoughtless, undisturbed.
Hindi:
मैं ही परम हूं, जो सार से भी अधिक सारस्वरूप शिव है — जो आवागमन से रहित, निर्विकल्प और विकारहीन है।
🧘♂️ Modern Relevance:
This is the experience of the Self as Presence — free from past and future. Beyond concepts. The peak of non-dual realization.
🔹 Verse 2.6
Sanskrit:
sarvāvayavanirmuktaṁ tathāhaṁ tridaśārcitam /
saṁpūrṇatvānna gṛhṇāmi vibhāgaṁ tridaśādikam //6//
📜 English Translation:
I am without parts, worshipped by gods, but due to my completeness, I make no distinction between gods or others.
Hindi:
मैं सभी अवयवों से रहित हूं, देवताओं द्वारा पूजित हूं, परंतु अपनी पूर्णता के कारण मैं देवताओं और अन्य में कोई विभाजन नहीं मानता।
💡 Application:
True Self-realization is beyond hierarchies and division. It is pure being — complete in itself, beyond all roles.
🔹 Verse 2.7
Sanskrit:
pramādena na sandehaḥ kiṁ kariṣyāmi vṛttimān /
utpadyante vilīyante budbudāśca yathā jale //7//
📜 English Translation:
Ignorance doesn’t bring doubt. What is there for me to do? Mind's modifications rise and dissolve like bubbles in water.
Hindi:
अज्ञान मुझे कोई संदेह नहीं देता। मैं क्या करूं, जब मन की वृत्तियाँ उठती और जल में बुलबुले की तरह विलीन हो जाती हैं?
💡 Reflection:
This is the witness state — the sage watches the mind without being caught by it. Just like we watch clouds pass by.
🔹 Verse 2.8
Sanskrit:
mahadādīni bhūtāni samāpyaivaṁ sadaiva hi /
mṛdudravyeṣu tīkṣṇeṣu guḍeṣu kaṭukeṣu ca //8//
📜 English Translation:
I pervade all elements beginning with the cosmic mind — in the soft, the harsh, the sweet, and the bitter.
Hindi:
मैं महत्तत्त्व से लेकर समस्त भूतों में व्याप्त हूं — कोमल, तीव्र, मधुर और कटु सभी प्रकार की वस्तुओं में।
🌿 Ayurvedic Connection:
These lines echo Ayurvedic rasas (tastes) — consciousness pervades all varieties of experience.
🔹 Verse 2.9
Sanskrit:
kaṭutvaṁ caiva śaityatvaṁ mṛdutvaṁ ca yathā jale /
prakṛtiḥ puruṣastadvadabhinnaṁ pratibhāti me //9//
📜 English Translation:
Just as pungency, coldness, or softness are not different from water, so too are Prakriti and Purusha not different — to me.
Hindi:
जैसे जल में कटुता, शीतलता या कोमलता उससे भिन्न नहीं होती, वैसे ही प्रकृति और पुरुष भी मुझे अभिन्न प्रतीत होते हैं।
🧠 Mind-Body Insight:
This verse resolves the duality of matter and spirit — they are seen as two expressions of the same One.
🔹 Verse 2.10
Sanskrit:
sarvākhyārahitaṁ yadyatsūkṣmātsūkṣmataraṁ param /
manobuddhīndriyātītamakalaṅkaṁ jagatpatim //10//
📜 English Translation:
The Lord of the universe is nameless, subtler than the subtlest, spotless, beyond mind, intellect, and senses.
Hindi:
जो सभी नामों से रहित, सूक्ष्म से भी अधिक सूक्ष्म, मन-बुद्धि और इंद्रियों से परे है — वही निर्मल और परम जगत्पति है।
🌀 Insight:
No name, no form, no thought can capture That. It is the supreme subject, beyond objectification.
Modern Outlook Summary
Modern Outlook Summary (Shlokas 2:1–2:10)
| Shloka | Focus | Modern Insight |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Guru's Essence | Outer labels don’t define the Guru. Wisdom can shine through any form. |
| 2.2 | Value over Style | Function > Appearance. Truth may come in plain forms. |
| 2.3 | Nature of Consciousness | Effortless, still, all-encompassing – like meditation or presence. |
| 2.4 | Nonduality | That which moves all is not other – it is One with all. |
| 2.5 | Self-realization | I am Shiva – beyond duality, beyond arrival/departure. |
| 2.6 | Unity | Realized beings see no distinction in gods or humans. |
| 2.7 | Witness State | Thoughts come and go – the seer remains untouched. |
| 2.8 | All-pervasiveness | The Self is in every texture and taste of life. |
| 2.9 | Nature-Spirit Unity | Prakriti and Purusha are two names for One Truth. |
| 2.10 | The Nameless Absolute | The Ultimate is beyond language – pure and formless. |
English Summary (Shlokas 2:1–2:10):
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A Guru’s outer form doesn’t matter — wisdom is like a gem, precious even in mud.
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External polish is not essential — what matters is the teacher’s essence and power to liberate.
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Consciousness is effortless and unchanging, like the vast, quiet sky.
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All of creation moves within this one Consciousness, which is nondual and indivisible.
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The Self is Shiva, beyond time, thought, or emotion — pure, unchanging awareness.
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Even if worshipped by gods, the realized one sees no division — not even between deity and devotee.
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The mind may function, but the wise one remains a witness, untouched by thoughts.
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The Self pervades all experiences — soft, hard, sweet, bitter — nothing is separate from it.
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Prakriti and Purusha appear distinct, but are ultimately seen as one reality.
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The supreme Self is beyond name, form, thought, and senses — yet it is the very Lord of the Universe.
🔸 हिंदी सारांश (श्लोक 2:1–2:10):
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गुरु का बाह्य रूप महत्वहीन है, जैसे गंदगी में भी रत्न की कीमत घटती नहीं।
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ज्ञान का मूल्य उसके स्वरूप में नहीं, सार में होता है — सुंदरता आवश्यक नहीं।
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चेतना प्रयास रहित और स्थिर है, आकाश की तरह शांत और व्यापक।
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संपूर्ण जगत उसी एक चेतना से संचालित होता है, जो अद्वैत और अविभाज्य है।
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स्वयं को शिव रूप मानना — जो जन्म-मरण, विचार और विकार से परे है।
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सच्चे ज्ञानी देवताओं और प्राणियों में भेद नहीं करते, क्योंकि वे पूर्णता में स्थित हैं।
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मन की वृत्तियाँ आती-जाती रहती हैं, पर ज्ञानी केवल साक्षी रहता है।
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सभी अनुभवों में आत्मा व्याप्त है — कोमलता, कठोरता, मधुरता, तीव्रता सभी में।
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प्रकृति और पुरुष अलग प्रतीत होते हैं, पर ज्ञान में वे एक ही हैं।
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परम आत्मा नाम, रूप, इंद्रिय और मन-बुद्धि से परे है — वही सच्चा जगत्पति है।