Avadhut Views
Avadhuta (अवधूत avadhūta) is a Sanskrit term from some Indian religions or Dharmic Traditions referring to a type of mystic or saint who is beyond egoic-consciousness, duality and common worldly concerns and acts without consideration for standard social etiquette. Such personalities roam free like a child upon the face of the Earth .[1] An avadhuta does not identify with their mind or body or 'names and forms' (Sanskrit: namarupa). Such a person is held to be pure 'consciousness' (Sanskrit: caitanya) in human form.
Avadhuts play a significant role in the history, origins and rejuvenations of a number of Dharmic Traditions such as Yoga, Vedanta, Buddhadharma and Bhakti 'lineage' (Sanskrit: parampara) even as they are released from standard observances. Avadhuts are the voice of the avadhuti the channel that resolves the dichotomy of the 'left hand path' (Sanskrit: Vamamarga; Vamachara ) and 'right hand path (Sanskrit: Dakshinamarga) traditions and left and right channels (otherwise known as the outer channels) of the energetic body, though an Avadhut may or may not continue such dichotomous rites of the āstika or nāstika Darśana for they are free from sectarian ritual observance and affiliation. It is also a common Marathi name.
The appellation avadhuta, more than any other, came to be associated with the apparently crazy modes of behaviour of some paramahamsas, who dramatize the reversal of social norms, a behaviour characteristic of their spontaneous lifestyle. Their frequent nakedness is perhaps the most symbolic expression of this reversal. [5]
The rites of chod differ between lineages but essentially there is an offering of their body as food, a blessing to demons and other entities to whom this kind of offering may be of benefit. This leitmotif and sadhana is common to another denizen of the charnel ground, Dattatreya the avadhuta, to whom has been attributed the esteemed nondual medieval song, the Avadhuta Gita. Dattatreya was a founding adi guru of the Aghor tradition according to Barrett (2008: p.p 33):
Avadhut Images
