Advaite Minimalite Frugalite

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. Now the grandfather of all people (the god Brahma) respectfully approaching his father, Adinarayana (Lord Vishnu) said, ‘What is the path of the Avadhutas after the Turiyatita stage, and what is their standing ?’ To him replied the Lord Narayana: Wise sages consider that one who remains in the path of the Avadhuta is very rare in the world and (such sages) are not many; if one becomes (an Avadhuta) he is ever pure, he is indeed the embodiment of dispassion; he is indeed the visible form of wisdom and he is indeed the personification of the Veda (Vedapurusha). He is a (truly) great man, as his mind abides in me alone. Indeed I too abide in him. In due order, having been first a hut-dwelling ascetic (Kutichaka), he reaches the stage of a mendicant monk (Bahudaka); the mendicant monk attains to the stage of a Hamsa ascetic; the Hamsa ascetic (then) becomes the highest kind of ascetic (Paramahamsa). (In this stage) by introspection he realizes the entire world (as non-different from his Self); renouncing all personal possessions in (a reservoir of) waters, (such things as) his emblematic staff, water pot, waist band, loincloth that covers (his privities) and all ritualistic duties enjoined on him (in a previous stage); becoming unclad (lit. clothed by the points of the compass); abandoning even the acceptance of a discoloured, worn out bark garment or (deer) skin; behaving thereafter (after the stage of the Paramahamsa) as one subject to no mantras (i.e. performing no rituals) and gives up shaving, oil bath, the perpendicular mark of sandal paste on the forehead, etc

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Here is the Summary Bullet Quote (SBQ) for the profound teaching on the Avadhuta and the ultimate renunciation beyond the Turiyatita stage:

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🕉 SBQ — The Path Beyond Turiyatita: The Avadhuta

• 🕊 Rarer than the Rare:

  “One who remains in the path of the Avadhuta is very rare in the world.”
  The Avadhuta is the summit of renunciation—few attain this state of absolute freedom.

• 🔥 Embodiment of Wisdom and Dispassion:

  “He is ever pure… the visible form of wisdom… the personification of the Veda.”
  He lives unbound by identity, ritual, or external duties.

• 💫 Progression of Inner Renunciation:

  • Kutichaka → Bahudaka → Hamsa → Paramahamsa → Avadhuta

  • Each stage sheds more outer dependence and deepens inner realization.

• 🌌 The Avadhuta’s Realization:

  “By introspection he realizes the entire world as non-different from his Self.”
  Non-duality becomes not just philosophy, but living truth.

• 🧘 Freedom from Ritual and Form:

  “He gives up all rituals, emblems, and even clothing.”
  His state transcends Vedic prescriptions—no mantra, no mark, no form.

• 💖 Unity with the Divine:

  “His mind abides in Me alone. Indeed, I too abide in him.”
  The Avadhuta lives in oneness with the Supreme Being, beyond all separation.

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Here are some of the most revered Avadhutas in Indian spiritual history—beings who transcended societal norms and lived in the absolute freedom of the Self:

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🌟 Famous Avadhutas in India

1. Dattatreya

   • Considered the Adi-Avadhuta (original or primordial Avadhuta).

   • A combined form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

   • Author of the Avadhuta Gita, a seminal text of Advaita Vedanta.

   • Wandered as a naked ascetic, symbolizing perfect detachment and Self-realization.

2. Lord Shiva (as Avadhuta Bhava)

   • Though primarily a deity, Shiva is the eternal Avadhuta archetype—naked, ash-smeared, beyond worldly dualities.

3. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba

   • Though outwardly appearing as a sufi fakir, he showed many signs of an Avadhuta—detached from rituals, castes, and sectarian identity.

   • Lived without personal possessions and often unpredictable in behavior, yet deeply compassionate and wise.

4. Swami Trailanga (Trailanga Swami)

   • A renowned Avadhuta saint from Varanasi.

   • Lived for over 280 years (according to some sources).

   • Often walked naked in public, indifferent to norms, performing many miracles.

   • Referred to as a living embodiment of Shiva.

5. Avadhuta Nityananda of Ganeshpuri

   • A great Siddha yogi and mystic.

   • Radiated a silent, potent spiritual presence.

   • Rarely spoke but gave transformative darshan.

   • His disciple, Swami Muktananda, spread his teachings through Siddha Yoga.

6. Swami Satchidananda Tirtha Avadhuta (Saccidananda Yogi)

   • Lived in the 20th century, practiced intense Tapasya in the Himalayas.

   • Spoke of direct Brahman-realization through silence and self-inquiry.

7. Kabir (in Avadhuta spirit)

   • Though not labeled formally as an Avadhuta, his life showed the same disregard for orthodoxy and complete non-dual realization.

   • Called himself beyond Hindu or Muslim identity.

8. Neem Karoli Baba

   • Displayed many Avadhuta traits—detached, spontaneous, rooted in the formless.

   • His devotees included Ram Dass, Krishna Das, and many Western seekers.

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These Avadhutas often defied social conventions but radiated the purest form of spiritual insight and compassion. Their lives point toward the formless Reality, untouched by name, ritual, or status.

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