Introduction

Chidananda Avadhoot attained the Avadhoot Stiti (State) through Upasana (worship /meditation) of BagalmukhiDevi and composed “Devi Purana” and “Jnanasindhu” Granthas in Kannada.
If the Devi Purana is known as Kaliyuga Chintamani, the Jnanasindhu is renowned worldwide as the Jnana Ratna, as reviewed by Jnanis (the wise). The biography of Chidananda is nowhere available. V. Patil Gundoor has written the book “Rajyogi Sri Chidananda Avaadhootaru” and won the Kannada Rajyotsava Awards.

Once when the seventh ruler of Kanakagiri, Hire Rangappa Nayaka, came for the darshan of Avadhoota Mahan Yogi Chidananda Avadhoota who sat absorbed in Dhyana, he asked “Venerable? Father? I heard the news that you would be taking Sasharira Samadhi and came?

Avadhoota replied “Yes, it’s tomorrow. Post my Samadhi, after your two generations, a leader called “Huli Hyder” will come, your grandson Hire Nayaka will be the last king of Kanakagiri.

Then the venerable Chidananda Awadhoota tells Hire Rangappa Nayaka, if your progeny have to continue in Kanakagiri, you will have to cut off my body (that is Chidananda Avadhoot’s) and spill around the fort.

Hirerangappa replied “it is fine even if our throne is gone and our clan is destroyed, but I will not chop and spill the Rajayogi Avadhoota, you”

Finally, the Chidananda Avadhoot attained Sthira Samadhi around 1781. Hire Rangappanayaka built the Samadhi of Pujya Chidananda Avadhoota in a vast area to the southeast of Kanakachalapati Swami temple.

• Compiled by Vijayananda Swamiji from the Original Work of S.V. Patil Gundur, ‘Sri Rajayogi Chidanandaavadhootaru’.
• Translated by Ramya Poojari under the guidance of Swamy Vijayananda
• Nityananda Dhyana Mandir Bevinkoppa