Avadhuta Gita is a short work of ancient Vedic religious literature, written in Sanskrit “devanagari” (city of the gods), much appreciated in India by initiated Yogis and by those who are advanced in the spiritual path, but little known outside that sacred land. Nevertheless it can be considered for elevation and sublime significance a masterpiece of relevance comparable to the great texts listed as authentic cultural heritage of Humanity.
Handed down orally from remote times, it was composed in uncertain date, which can be placed around the ninth or tenth century of our era. The author is considered by tradition Guru Dattatreya, the beloved original Guru (Adi-Guru) of all yogis belonging to almost all the Monastic Orders of India. The text represents one of the preminent treatises of the sublime Vedic philosophy, called “Advaita Vedanta” or non-dualistic Vedanta (excellent conclusion of the Vedas). It is therefore the most
valuable book that contains the truths and secrets of Vedanta and the direct experiences of self-realization.
Swami Vivekananda, the great saint, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, often quoted from the Avadhuta Gita. He claimed that this chant and its author help keep spiritual realization alive, affirming the bliss of Soul (Atman) realization.
The present edition contains the original Sanskrit text, its transliteration in Roman characters, the translation of the individual words, that of the entire verse and some explanatory notes, in order to maximize fidelity to the original text and its understanding.
