Gita Guide The Avadhuta Gita (a.k.a. Song of the Free) was composed at an unknown time, ascribed to Dattatreya, of whom nothing is known. An English translation, from Sanskrit, by Swami Ashokananda (d. 1969) dates back to 1946. One virtue is that it is devoid of many of the Hindu terms which are so often difficult to translate from the original. The word avadhuta refers to someone who has realized their identity with the Absolute; that is, whose perspective is nondual, known as Self-realized; enlightened. This particular gita was often quoted by Swami Vivekananda. Like other gitas, it might have been written by a teacher of nonduality, for study by a follower. However, it reads like a collection of contemplative observations or notes, inscribed over a period of time. A typical line or two might touch on, say, three important precepts (which might take the rishi several hours to verbally explain). Even at best, statements might seem to be contradictory; certainly paradoxical: in other words, best understood by someone who no longer needs to read it. Contextually, these teachings are as marrow in the bones of advaita (which means “not two”), called ajata (which could be said to be “not even one”). The point here is that ultimate reality is emptiness, nothingness: nothing from the start (a-jata translates as “no creation”). The teachings are along the line of what’s known as “neti, neti”: the ultimate reality is “not this, nor this.” It is possible to spontaneously end spiritual seeking simply by contemplating and adhering to—giving full attention to— ajata’s absolute perspective, with unequivocal consistency.
244
