Jnan-Deep-Bodha : Dialogue between Deity Dattatreya and Gorakshanath

The conversation between Deity Dattatreya and Yogi Gorakshanath (Incarnation of Deity Dattatreya) in the form of questions and answers is called ‘Jnan-Deep-Bodha’ and it holds extraordinary importance in the Nath Sampradaya (sect). Yogi Gorakshanath’s questions and Deity Dattatreya’s answers form the essence of the discourse. Both are Avadhutas*, which takes their conversation to a very high level.

These are not ordinary dialogues. The teachings in this Text are profound and particularly valuable for those who follow the path of Advait (Non-duality). The Text itself is quite rare, and therefore, the version I received does not contain the original verses but provides a brief explanation of the meaning of the verses in this Article.

(* Avadhuta is a Jivanmukta who gives his insight to others and teaches them about his realisation of the true nature of the ultimate reality [Brahman] and self [Atman]and takes the role of a Guru to show the path of moksha to others. Some Avadhutas also achieve the title of Paramahamsa.)

1. Deity Dattatreya’s supreme introduction

Gorakshanath : O’ Dattatreya, who is Your mother ? Who is Your father ? Who is Your Guru, the one who has brought You to this supreme state ? Where do You rest ? Where is Your home ? Please elaborate on this.

Deity Dattatreya : O’ Avadhuta Gorakshanath, Kshama (Forgiveness) is my mother, Satya (Truth) is my father, and Maan (Honour) is my Guru. Through these three, I attained self-realisation and achieved this supreme state. My seat is the Absolute Principle, which is free from all duality and is always stable in its own essence. That is my seat, my resting place, and my dwelling place. That is my true abode.

2. Who is the Guru, and who is the disciple ?

Gorakshanath : O’ Dattatreya, who is the Guru ? Who is the disciple ? How can one meet a Siddha Purush (Perfected Being) ? What is the Brahmakamal ? Please explain its secret.

Deity Dattatreya : The Supreme God is the soul of the Guru and disciple. Sahajshunyavastha means achieving the state of doubtlessness. In this state, numerous Siddhas manifest. The Brahmakamal blossoms in the upward direction. It signifies a state beyond the mind, where the Universe appears as full of consciousness and Bliss. Here, the Supreme God is seen everywhere.

3. Deity Dattatreya exists in a person who has a pure mind

Gorakshanath : O’ Dattatreya, You wander the world in an unknown, mysterious form to remove the ego of living beings and establish the glory of the Sadguru. Just as a shadow is always with a person even when it is not visible, so too, You are always with all beings. O’ Dattatreya, who are You ? Where do You come from ? Please tell me.

Deity Dattatreya : O’ Avadhuta Gorakshanath, listen carefully. Sometimes, I travel in a hidden form, and sometimes, I manifest openly. A shadow is always with a person, visible when light is present, and invisible when light is absent, but it is always there. I am a hidden being. I reside in a secret place, and that’s where I come from. I manifest only before those whose minds are pure and who constantly strive to keep their minds and intellect focused on the Supreme Being. To such pure souls, I reveal myself, but I mostly remain in a concealed state. (Brahmanishtha Mahatmas reveal their true nature only to a beloved disciple, and once revealed, it may disappear again.)

4. Anger : The obstacle to the ultimate goal

Gorakshanath : O’ Dattaswami, what is the obstacle on the path to the ultimate goal that causes suffering like a thorn ? What is the covering ? How does the Brahmadwar open ? What is the mystery of the Agama sect ? Please explain.

Deity Dattatreya : Listen carefully, O’ Avadhuta Gorakshanath. Anger is like a thorn. For a seeker on the path of self-realisation, anger makes him forget his true self. Anger becomes an obstacle on the path. The covering on the spiritual path is the ego, which opposes the true self. The Brahmadwar opens only when the mind is concentrated through the grace and power of the Guru. The Agama path is the upward, direct path, beyond duality.

5. What does wandering in Bhavasagar mean ?

Gorakshanath : O’ Dattaswami, what is mercy ? What is material wealth ? What does drowning and swimming mean ? What is the secret and mystery of knowledge and action ? Please explain these to me.

Deity Dattatreya : O’ Gorakshanath Avadhuta, to fall into the grip of anger is to drown in the ocean of the material world, and having ego is like sinking deeper into it. To possess a pure intellect, to realise your true self, and to know your true essence means to swim in Bhavasagar. Meditation is mercy, Dharma is wealth, and knowledge is the abandonment of actions. Actions without subconscious impressions is known as knowledge.

6. What Is the nature of Dharma, Adharma, and abiding by Dharma ?

Gorakshanath : O’ Deity Datta, what is illusion ? What is Dharma really ? Who is steadfast ? What is adharma (Unrighteous conduct) ? Please explain the secret of these teachings.

Deity Dattatreya : Illusion is something that causes the act of breathing, for it is this very act that creates the idea of individuality. Dharma is that which helps one attain self-realisation. The person who remains unchanged in any state is known as steadfast. False speech is adharma.

7. When a human being practices Spirituality, he becomes one with God :The teachings of Deity Dattatreya to Gorakshanath and revealing the awareness of Gorakshanath’s spiritual practice

Gorakshanath : O’ Deity Datta, what is the body ? What is illusion ? What is the nature of illusion ? Why does the world appear as duality ? What is the great illusion ? Tell me its secret.

Deity Dattatreya : The existence of illusion continues as long as the mind is capable of imagining it. As long as the covering of actions (karma) remains, the body appears to exist. The world appears as duality due to attachment and identification with it. When one realises their true self, the world becomes an experience of oneness. I have now understood that You are the one who is beyond the beginning, middle, and end. You the Supreme God, the one who is the origin, the sustainer, and the ultimate goal of all.

Having received answers to all his questions, Gorakshanath was fully satisfied and once again bowed down to Deity Dattatreya in deep reverence, saying – ‘O’ Deity Dattatreya, I have witnessed Your true nature. I have understood the mystery of the beginning, the middle, and the end. The origin of both enjoyment (bhog) and spiritual practice (yog) is You. I salute to You, the ultimate reality’ !

Gorakshanath then offered his obeisance to Deity Shiva and Sadguru Shri Machchindranath and completed the Holy Jnan-Deep-Bodha Text he had composed. This is a remarkable Text. At the end of this Holy Text, Gorakshanath says – ‘This Text is on the Yogashastra (Science of Yoga). Reciting it will destroy sins. Listening to it will provide liberation, and through practice, the seeker will attain perfection and will be freed from the cycles of birth and death’.

(Jnan-Deep-Bodha was originally written in Sanskrit by Gorakshanath. He himself gave it this name. A learned Yogi later translated it into the local language in poetic form. Over time, the original Sanskrit Text and its translation were lost, but its manuscript was preserved in the library of Maharaja Man Singh of Jodhpur.)

– Acharya Vasant Godbole, Pune.

(Courtesy : Magazine Hari Vijay, Diwali 2011)

To possess a pure intellect, to realise your true self, and to know your true essence means to swim in Bhavasagar (Worldly life) !