ADVENTURES IN ADVAITA VEDANTA...

Adventures in Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy and science of spirit. We are one you and I; are you curious why?..


The Hobo Saint

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Sri Dattatraya Jayanti.
Actually, this was yesterday, but there was a slightly higher level of dignitary in that spot!

Dattatraya is the manifest trimurti - the three faces of God incarnated. It is not that the physical sage who roamed the woods and streets actually had three heads. More that he tended to manifest each of the aspects at different times and according to different circumstances. It is said also, that different people saw a different person, even at the same time, according to their own particular situation.

Dattatraya was the supreme mendicant. In his presentation as an avadhuta - a sage who was always in his God-self and therefore never really of this earth in the same that the likes of Sri Krishna and Rama or Lord Jesus were. More like an imp really! He could cause quite a stir and would often be seen indulging in behaviours that most would consider very unholy indeed; such as drinking of intoxicating liquids. However, there would always be something worthy which came of any of the situations and sensations he created, for Dattatraya's sole purpose was to teach the Vedic way of life. The four dogs which were his constant companions represent the four Vedas.


He was a man of nature and to those who could see the saint beneath the 'crust' of the hobo-like appearance he was magnanimous and beautiful. He taught Vedanta to Lord Subramanya and this teaching later became known as Avadhuta Gita - the song of the Non-Dual.