Question & Answer sessions with HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – 2015
Who is an Avadhoota ?
Question : Who is an Avadhoota ?
Answer : Who is called an Avadhoota? It is a good question. There is a connection between what was asked, and the incident which occurred this morning. Siddhartha showed me an excerpt from a local newspaper mentioning the recent Mega Hanuman Chalisa Chanting event in Mysuru. This newspaper somehow missed covering the news that same day, and has written about it yesterday. The article refers to Sri Swamiji as Ganapathy Sachchidananda Avadhoota. Siddhartha was happy to note it, and so was I.
Who is an Avadhoota? Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji is an Avadhoota. That is the answer to the question. What is the meaning of Avadhoota? ‘Aksharatvaat varenyatvaat dhoota samsaara bandhanaat’
Aksharatvaat is one who is imperishable, one who identifies himself with the Almighty. Varenyatvaat is one who is the noblest and the most exalted in his accomplishments. He engages always in righteous thoughts and deeds, and inspires and stimulates goodness in others. Dhoota samsara bandhanaat is one who is free from the bondage of samsara, the cycle of births and deaths, not just marriage and children. An extraordinary soul whose nature is such, is called an Avadhoota. Certain attributes of an Avadhoota are mentioned in the Bhagavatam. The term Avadhoota is used both in a good sense and a bad sense. Even this we should be aware of,
because when we read the Bhagavatam, we may get a doubt. Even one who transgresses the rules of Dharma and behaves like a mad person is referred to as an Avadhoota. In certain contexts in the Bhagavatam, the word is used in a derogatory sense.
While explaining the principle of an Avadhoota, the story of Samvarta Avadhoota is told. Samvarta is the older brother of Brihaspati. Samvarta, following the nature of an Avadhoota remains close to everyone, and at the same time keeps a distance from everyone. No one can capture him, but if he so desires, he becomes close to everyone. That is how an Avadhoota is. If it is his choice, then we are able to get close to him. By our choosing, we cannot approach him. One in the Sanyasa stage may also somewhat resemble an Avadhoota. The 11th Skanda in the Bhagavatam states that one who goes beyond the fourth stage called Tureeya, is an Avadhoota. Avadhoota is not a title or a position. It is a state that is naturally attained or one is born as an Avadhoota. We know about Sri Narasimha Saraswati, Sri Sripada Vallabha, and now before our eyes we see Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. They are all called Avadhootas.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta