Avadhuta (अवधूत avadhūta) is a term from the Dharmic Religions of India referring to a somewhat eccentric type of mystic or saint who has risen above bodily-consciousness, duality, and worldly concerns and acts without consideration for standard social etiquette. Such personalities are considered to be free from the consciousness of the ego, and to 'roam free like a child' over the face of the earth. An avadhuta does not identify with their body or mind. Such a person is said to be pure consciousness in human form. Avadhuts play a significant role in the history of a number of Yoga, Vedanta and Bhakti traditions. It is also a common Marathi name.
If we describe word Avadhut in sanskirit it has two parts ava+dhut
1. ava: अव means bad things
2. dhut: धूत means the one who had washed out
so it comes to the one who had washed out all bad things
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Types of Avadhutas
The book of Brahmanirvantantra describes how to identify the avadhuts of the following types:
- Bramhavadhuta : An avadhut from birth, who appears in any class of society. Completely indifferent to the world or worldly matters
- Shaivavadhuta : Avadhuts who have taken to the renounced order of life (sannyas), often with umkempt long hair (jata), or who dress in the manner of Shaivites and spend almost all of their time in trance (samādhi), or meditation.
- Viravadhuta : This person looks like a sadhu who has put red colored sandal paste on his body and wears saffron clothes. His hair are very well grown and are normally furling in the wind. They wear in their neck a Rudraksha mala or a string with bones. They hold a wooden stick (danda) in their hand and additionally they always have an axe (parashu) or a damaru (small drum) with them.
- Kulavadhuta : These people are supposed to have taken initiation from the Kaul sampradaya. It is very difficult to recognize these people as they do not wear any signs outside which can identify them from others. The speciality of these people is that they remain and live like usual people do. They can show themselves in the form of Kings or a family man.
Relationship with the Nath sampradaya
The Nath Sampradaya is a form of Avadhuta-pantha (sect). In this sampradaya, Guru-importance and Yoga are of extreme importance. Therefore the most important book in this sampradaya is Avadhut Gita. Shri Gorakshanath is considered the topmost form of Avadhut-state.
The nature of the avadhuta is the subject of the Avadhuta Gita, the authorship of which is traditionally ascribed to Dattatreya.
Avadhuta Upanishad
The Avadhuta Upanishad is number 79 of the Muktika canon of Upanishads. It is a Sannyasa Upanishad associated with the Black Yajurveda.
Avadhuta Gita
The Avadhuta Gita is a text of Advaita Vedanta spoken by Dattatreya.
See also
External links
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