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Avadhuta Gita of Dattātreya
One of the purest statements of nondualistic (Advaita) Vedanta made 3,000 years ago by Dattatreya Avadhuta, who sang it spontaneously after purifying himself in meditation and becoming absorbed in the uninterrupted bliss of Brahman.
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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May 5, 2019
این کتاب خودش منو به سمتش کشید و دریچه ای از آگاهی به روم باز کرد وقتی تو کتابفروشی دیدمش و یه جمله ازش خوندم قشنگ حس کردم مچاله شدم و گفته هاش عمیقا رفت تهِ تهِ قلبم. خیلی این کتاب رو دوست دارم و دلم نمیاد بگذارمش تو کتابخونم همش میخوام جلوی چشمم باشه تا هروقت دلم خواست بتونم چند تا جمله ازش بخونم تو این کتاب در مورد خود حقیقیمون میگه و اینکه این خود عاری از هرگونه قیاس و نسبت دادن و ... است.
از این کتاب ممنونم که منو با آثار آقای قاسم هاشمی نژاد آشنا کرد...
از این کتاب ممنونم که منو با آثار آقای قاسم هاشمی نژاد آشنا کرد...
June 7, 2016
* درباره ی کتاب و نویسنده ی آن
این کتاب نوشتاری است مقدس منسوب به داتاتریا - از خدایانی که تجسد سه گانه ی برهما، ویشنو و شیوا به حساب می آیند- که آن را به دو نفر از شاگردانش القا کرده - البته در پایان همه ی فصول صرفا از شری کارتیکای راهب یاد شده است. مترجم در مقدمه از قدمت حداقل دو هزار ساله ی این کتاب سخن می گوید اما آنگونه که در ویکیپدیا از قول یکی از مترجمان اثر آمده، سبک نگارش آن به قرن نه یا ده میلادی بازمی گردد - البته این نافی سنت شفاهی قبل از آن نیست
در این کتاب که از هشت فصل تشکیل شده - که به روایت ویکیپدیا ظاهرا در اصل هفت فصل بوده - داتاتریا مدام یک حرف رو با زبان های مختلف بیان می کنه و اون حرف بنیادمکتب ادوایتا ودانتا ( مکتب نفی دوگانگی ) است: "خود" حقیقی فراسوی هر دوگانگی است - او نه ذهن است نه ناذهن، نه زنده است نه مرده، نه جسم است نه روان؛ نه شاد است نه ناشاد و .... . خلاصه اینکه حقیقت جهان و حقیقت انسان، که همان "خود" است، پیوستاری است واحد که همه جا هست و هیچ چیز بیرونش نیست و در عین حال هیچ چیز به او حدی نمی زند. داتا تریا دائم از استعاره ی آسمان برای "خود" استفاده می کند - همانطور پهناور و بی تمایز
من این متن رو دوست دارم چون اذعانی است به اینکه مشکل وحدت با عقلانیت منطقی قابل حل نیست. باید نامعقول بود تا بتوان از وحدت سخن گفت. نامعقولیت پذیرش این است که ثنویت وحدت است و وحدت ثنویت، به طور همزمان
* ترجمه و توضیحات
این دومین کتابی است که با ترجمه ی قاسم هاشمی نژاد می خوانم، آن یکی کتاب ایوب: منظومه ی آلام ایوب و محنتهای او از عهد عتیق بود. آنجا هم با نویسنده ای روبرو بودم که بر ادبی بودن ترجمه اش تأکید داره و این نقطه ی قوت کارشه. در این کتاب هم او سعی کرده بندهای کوتاه داتا تریا را روان و سلیس و بلیغ ترجمه کنه و به نظرم ترجمه اش ترجمه ای است معقول و مقبول - حداقل از نظر زبان ترجمه، چون من تطبیق ندادم
چنانکه گفتم من ترجمه رو تطبیقی ندادم اما همون دو سه جمله ای که مراجعه کردم ترجمه وفادار بود. البته فقط یک مورد متوجه شدم که مترجم یه اصطلاح رو درست ترجمه نکرده: در جایی متن از علت مادی و علت کارآمد سخن گفته که روشنه علت کارآمد ( افیشنت کاز ) غلط ترجمه شده و منظور همون علت فاعلیه
به نظرم مترجم باید سوای اشارات کلی بحث مستوفایی در مورد جایگاه تاریخی و مذهبی این اثر می کرد که متاسفانه نکرده. اگر هم حرفی زده ارجاع علمی نداره حرف هایش. همانطور که ذیل کتاب ایوب: منظومه ی آلام ایوب و محنتهای او از عهد عتیق هم گفتم هاشمی نژاد رو باید از دوستداران و دلبستگان این امور دونست و نه از متخصصان و اهل علم در این شاخه
* اشاراتی به مطالب کتاب
May 21, 2020
Reread (May 2020) - Much more perspective now, after ~2 years from the first read. Also, I was able to read this in the original Sanskrit and it was understandable with the help of the translation, of course - though now I understood much of it without translation. That provided a much better understanding of the poetic aspects of this Gita. Highly recommended, though its negation of everything that exists(perplexingly, both duality and non-duality) can get tiring and repetitive eventually. It is undoubtedly intended to be so, to produce a desired deliberate effect in the reader. This is more of a "multiple remembrance" read, something that one reads whenever one wishes to reach the state of the book - here, a meditative state. As such, there is no option but to give it a perfect rating because I am yet to explore the true depths in this book.
A basic question that I shall aim to answer in this review, which I encountered asking myself this read - Why does Avadhuta Gita negate everything, including the Advaita(non-dual) Vedanta that this book is usually associated with? Because all knowledge or ignorance that a human can have is gained through means of the mind or direct experience. As both mind and the world that we experience are considered as false - impermanent and therefore unreal/illusory - all knowledge that humans can have is consequently unreal. Even Advaita Vedanta knows that it is not the truth in its final form - it points the finger towards the moon, but the teaching can never be the moon itself - it will always be just the finger. In truth, all knowledge is also maya(illusion). Simply, all our knowledge is just words, expressing concepts which do not exist in pure consciousness, or in the state where one does not have a mind/thoughts.
Therefore, all thoughts that we can have towards god/soul are a construct, and can never be true knowledge. As such, we know nothing(Socrates was right after all). We can only know that we are trying to know something, and rely on the testimonials of others who have transcended the very act of knowing and not-knowing, which is to transcend human existence itself. Humans try to construct some meaning out of our illusions(the aforesaid "finger towards the moon"). All religion is such an illusion, but this does not take away from the truth of what is said in it. The finger still points towards the moon, not the stars. By following the line of the finger, we will eventually reach the moon.
There is no duality, no non-duality, no words, no thoughts. Out of this deep nihilist dispassion emerges the end - the infinity plus one of all substance - the soul: unknowable, yet supreme over all.
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July 2018 - Though I've given the Avadhuta Gita 4 stars, in reality it should be 3 and a half, because though this Gita has more depth than Ashtavakra Gita, the latter made a more personal connection with me and hence I preferred that.
Nonetheless— the book is an amazing short dialogue sung by Dattatreya, a humbling and fascinating meditation on the self, the all-pervasive Being, the collective consciousness.
This Gita goes further in renouncing both duality and non-duality—while subtly recommending the latter—and in fact, asks one to forget all attempts at reaching an elusive God, when our very consciousness, energy, and matter is our God, and we really need to do nothing to reach that.
The book is filled with deliberate contradictions to encourage even the erudite to give up his futile search for meaning.
Also as a bonus, in the last verse, it assured me that as I've read this Avadhuta Gita, I will not be reborn, so there's that. Thanks, Dattatreya.
A basic question that I shall aim to answer in this review, which I encountered asking myself this read - Why does Avadhuta Gita negate everything, including the Advaita(non-dual) Vedanta that this book is usually associated with? Because all knowledge or ignorance that a human can have is gained through means of the mind or direct experience. As both mind and the world that we experience are considered as false - impermanent and therefore unreal/illusory - all knowledge that humans can have is consequently unreal. Even Advaita Vedanta knows that it is not the truth in its final form - it points the finger towards the moon, but the teaching can never be the moon itself - it will always be just the finger. In truth, all knowledge is also maya(illusion). Simply, all our knowledge is just words, expressing concepts which do not exist in pure consciousness, or in the state where one does not have a mind/thoughts.
Therefore, all thoughts that we can have towards god/soul are a construct, and can never be true knowledge. As such, we know nothing(Socrates was right after all). We can only know that we are trying to know something, and rely on the testimonials of others who have transcended the very act of knowing and not-knowing, which is to transcend human existence itself. Humans try to construct some meaning out of our illusions(the aforesaid "finger towards the moon"). All religion is such an illusion, but this does not take away from the truth of what is said in it. The finger still points towards the moon, not the stars. By following the line of the finger, we will eventually reach the moon.
There is no duality, no non-duality, no words, no thoughts. Out of this deep nihilist dispassion emerges the end - the infinity plus one of all substance - the soul: unknowable, yet supreme over all.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 2018 - Though I've given the Avadhuta Gita 4 stars, in reality it should be 3 and a half, because though this Gita has more depth than Ashtavakra Gita, the latter made a more personal connection with me and hence I preferred that.
Nonetheless— the book is an amazing short dialogue sung by Dattatreya, a humbling and fascinating meditation on the self, the all-pervasive Being, the collective consciousness.
This Gita goes further in renouncing both duality and non-duality—while subtly recommending the latter—and in fact, asks one to forget all attempts at reaching an elusive God, when our very consciousness, energy, and matter is our God, and we really need to do nothing to reach that.
The book is filled with deliberate contradictions to encourage even the erudite to give up his futile search for meaning.
Also as a bonus, in the last verse, it assured me that as I've read this Avadhuta Gita, I will not be reborn, so there's that. Thanks, Dattatreya.
July 8, 2018
This book is all about Advaita Vedanta, one of the highest classic Indian paths to spiritual realization. The term Advaita (non-dual) refers to its idea that the soul (true Self, Atman) is the same as the highest metaphysical Reality (Brahma). Advaita Vedanta emphasizes the concept that moksha is achievable in this life in contrast to other Indian philosophies that emphasize moksha after death.
Like any other Vedantha books this too for a true yogi who search for the ultimate truth. Of course this is not for a novice but for someone who is well versed in Vedantha but still not sure about the supreme knowledge. In the first appearance it may appear as some simple philosophical facts but in depth it contradict many other great principles but finally reaches the same ultimate goal.
The four mahavakyas are as follows. One from each Vedas:
1. prajnanam brahma ( Aitareya Upanishad, Rigveda )
2. aham brahmasmi ( Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Yajur Veda )
3. tattvamasi ( Chandogya Upanishad, Sama Veda )
4. ayamatma brahma ( Mandukya Upanishad, Adharva Veda )
In all these the first part prajnanam, aham, tvam and atma indicate Life and second part says it is same as Brahma. This book wonderfully shows how it is so and/or how it is not anything other.
A great eastern philosophical pack.
Like any other Vedantha books this too for a true yogi who search for the ultimate truth. Of course this is not for a novice but for someone who is well versed in Vedantha but still not sure about the supreme knowledge. In the first appearance it may appear as some simple philosophical facts but in depth it contradict many other great principles but finally reaches the same ultimate goal.
The four mahavakyas are as follows. One from each Vedas:
1. prajnanam brahma ( Aitareya Upanishad, Rigveda )
2. aham brahmasmi ( Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Yajur Veda )
3. tattvamasi ( Chandogya Upanishad, Sama Veda )
4. ayamatma brahma ( Mandukya Upanishad, Adharva Veda )
In all these the first part prajnanam, aham, tvam and atma indicate Life and second part says it is same as Brahma. This book wonderfully shows how it is so and/or how it is not anything other.
A great eastern philosophical pack.
Read
July 21, 2016I'm no one to rate this holy book, so I won't. I just feel blessed that I got an opportunity to read it.
May 13, 2014
This is one of the Best Books/Discourses on Reality - in creation!
Encountering/Reading this book is an Omen foretelling complete Self/God-Realization in Moksha...
Encountering/Reading this book is an Omen foretelling complete Self/God-Realization in Moksha...
June 5, 2016
Ultimate wisdom in a very compact and simple form
July 13, 2019
If total surrender to the lord is your destined path, then this book is the one to meditate upon. Hari om.
October 18, 2015
The publishing quality could be improved. The lamination on the spine of the book is wrinkled and bubbled, while the front cover has a long lamination crease from the very bottom going up more than half the book. The inside content of the book is askew on every page, both left and right, tilting slightly downwards towards the inner margins. And the ink is not consistent, with the black not being black on quite a few pages.
However, none of this matters. It only makes this little book, published by a little publishing company, all the more quaint. The information contained herein is profound and powerful, and would be worth paying great sums of money for even if it were printed on napkins. It contains nondual Truth to the highest degree and I'm extremely grateful it has been provided in the English language. Thank you Advaita Ashrama and all who had a part in making this available to us in the Western world! It's a perfect companion to the Bhagavad Gita.
However, none of this matters. It only makes this little book, published by a little publishing company, all the more quaint. The information contained herein is profound and powerful, and would be worth paying great sums of money for even if it were printed on napkins. It contains nondual Truth to the highest degree and I'm extremely grateful it has been provided in the English language. Thank you Advaita Ashrama and all who had a part in making this available to us in the Western world! It's a perfect companion to the Bhagavad Gita.
November 7, 2016
Another one of these radical adviatin gitas. Effectively Hindu Dhyana/Zen. See:
"There are no Vedas, no worlds, no gods, no sacrifices.
There is certainly no caste, no stage in life, no family, no birth.
There is neither the path of smoke nor the path of light.
There is only the highest Truth, the homogeneous Brahman."
"There are no Vedas, no worlds, no gods, no sacrifices.
There is certainly no caste, no stage in life, no family, no birth.
There is neither the path of smoke nor the path of light.
There is only the highest Truth, the homogeneous Brahman."
June 28, 2021
An Avadhūta is a mystic who’s transcended a dualistic view of the world, avoiding distinctions between self and everything else. Often, these sages are compared to those of various spiritual traditions who display divine madness, theia mania, crazy wisdom, or whatever one wishes to call it (e.g. the Nyönpa of Vajrayana [Tibetan] Buddhism, or sages such as Ikkyu or Saint Simeon.) That’s because said individuals may behave in ways that seem strange because the conventions of society often doesn’t make sense in the context of the Avadhūta’s worldview.
“Avadhūta Gītā” translates to “Song of the Free Soul,” and it consists of eight chapters of poetry that read like sutras or epigrams (concisely stated bits of wisdom.) The poem can feel a bit redundant as it repeatedly hammers home the experience of a world free of duality and distinction, singing the virtues of oneness in oh so many ways. That said, other valuable lessons are eloquently conveyed throughout. For example, chapter two explains why one shouldn’t worry on the bona fides of one’s teacher, but rather take from him or her what is of use and not worry if a teacher doesn’t know everything. It makes the apt comparison that one doesn’t need a freshly-painted and ornately-trimmed boat to cross the river, anything with essential boat-like qualities will do.
There are many English translations of this poem. I compared two, and they read quite differently but conveyed the same gist. I’m not qualified to speak to how either compared to the original Sanskrit, but I didn’t feel either translation greatly outpaced the other in terms of conveying ideas (though one was more eloquently composed [though arguably with less clarity.])
If you’re interested in Yogic and Indian philosophy, I’d recommend giving this poem a read.
“Avadhūta Gītā” translates to “Song of the Free Soul,” and it consists of eight chapters of poetry that read like sutras or epigrams (concisely stated bits of wisdom.) The poem can feel a bit redundant as it repeatedly hammers home the experience of a world free of duality and distinction, singing the virtues of oneness in oh so many ways. That said, other valuable lessons are eloquently conveyed throughout. For example, chapter two explains why one shouldn’t worry on the bona fides of one’s teacher, but rather take from him or her what is of use and not worry if a teacher doesn’t know everything. It makes the apt comparison that one doesn’t need a freshly-painted and ornately-trimmed boat to cross the river, anything with essential boat-like qualities will do.
There are many English translations of this poem. I compared two, and they read quite differently but conveyed the same gist. I’m not qualified to speak to how either compared to the original Sanskrit, but I didn’t feel either translation greatly outpaced the other in terms of conveying ideas (though one was more eloquently composed [though arguably with less clarity.])
If you’re interested in Yogic and Indian philosophy, I’d recommend giving this poem a read.
August 9, 2024
I read this because I keep getting a Youtube channel in my feed that regularly proclaims that this is "The most dangerous book ever written because it will expand your mind!!!!!" so I checked it out.
It is a book about Advaita Vedanta, or nonduality. It is profound in places but also quite repetitive. Overall, I quite liked it. Also, I didn't feel that I was in any danger while reading this.
It is a book about Advaita Vedanta, or nonduality. It is profound in places but also quite repetitive. Overall, I quite liked it. Also, I didn't feel that I was in any danger while reading this.
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March 19, 2013The most "extreme" of Advaita texts known - exhibiting Shiva's FIRE of destruction to its fullest!
A dangerous book for anyone wanting to 'come out intact' after bearing the inescapable fiery brunt of its contents.A book sure to enhance and make one 'Hurry Home' !HARI OM!
A dangerous book for anyone wanting to 'come out intact' after bearing the inescapable fiery brunt of its contents.A book sure to enhance and make one 'Hurry Home' !HARI OM!
September 29, 2018
OM NAMAHA SIVAY
OM BRAHMANE NAMAHA
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA
🌺🌼🌹🙏🙏🙏
OM BRAHMANE NAMAHA
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA
🌺🌼🌹🙏🙏🙏
April 13, 2019
One of the best books on Advaita!!!
June 20, 2021
Dattatreya's Song of the Avadhut, the Avadhut Gita, the „Song of the free soul“, is a spiritual masterpiece of ancient Indian literature. This book talks about the knowledge of the eternal Self, the mystical vision of the ever-free and blissful reality of pure Consciousness, the oneness of the soul with God. We are truly infinite spiritual beings, and it is our birthright to live a wonderful life in the light of the Divine and with the natural bliss of the Self. If you take the time to read this book and contemplate the words deep within your heart, it will change your life and set you free forever.
There is no need to keep dreaming the ego's nightmare of suffering, the nightmare of duality. The cessation of duality is the cessation of suffering. Awakening is possible here and now. The life of the Awakened One is a happy dream, the free and ecstatic play of Divine Consciousness. You have suffered enough. Be happy and free. Read this book. And read it again ... and read it again ... and read it again ... until it becomes one with your being. The enlightened sage Dattatreya will teach you what it means to walk in the light and be the light. You are the Light. You are That. तत्त्वमसि tat tvam asi. Listen to this voice, the voice of your own soul - the voice of freedom and infinity...
„maya maya katham tata
chaya chaya navidyate
tattvam ekam idam sarvam
vyomakaram niranjanam
Maya? Maya? How could that be?
A shadow? A shadow? It doesn’t exist.
The Reality is One; it’s everything.
It’s all-pervasive; nothing else exists.
...
indrajalam idam sarvam
yatha maru-marichika
akhanditam anakara
vartate kevalah shivah
All this [world] is conjured by magic;
It’s only the water of a desert mirage.
Beyond all differences, beyond all forms,
Truly, there is only Shiva alone.“
May our life be the song of the free soul.
The whole universe is shining as One
There is no need to keep dreaming the ego's nightmare of suffering, the nightmare of duality. The cessation of duality is the cessation of suffering. Awakening is possible here and now. The life of the Awakened One is a happy dream, the free and ecstatic play of Divine Consciousness. You have suffered enough. Be happy and free. Read this book. And read it again ... and read it again ... and read it again ... until it becomes one with your being. The enlightened sage Dattatreya will teach you what it means to walk in the light and be the light. You are the Light. You are That. तत्त्वमसि tat tvam asi. Listen to this voice, the voice of your own soul - the voice of freedom and infinity...
„maya maya katham tata
chaya chaya navidyate
tattvam ekam idam sarvam
vyomakaram niranjanam
Maya? Maya? How could that be?
A shadow? A shadow? It doesn’t exist.
The Reality is One; it’s everything.
It’s all-pervasive; nothing else exists.
...
indrajalam idam sarvam
yatha maru-marichika
akhanditam anakara
vartate kevalah shivah
All this [world] is conjured by magic;
It’s only the water of a desert mirage.
Beyond all differences, beyond all forms,
Truly, there is only Shiva alone.“
May our life be the song of the free soul.
The whole universe is shining as One
May 24, 2020
Avadhuta Gita of Dattatreya is a short bit extremely powerful exposition on non-dual Nature of Reality. Avadhuta (liberated, free Spirit) Dattatreya is an Avatar (reincarnation) of Lord Vishnu who represents the Sattvic (Harmony Clarity) aspect of Reality. "Song of Avadhuta" is a pure non-dual poetry similar to another powerful book on Non-duality - Ribhu Gita. You may also check "Tripura Rahasya" - the clearest teaching of Dattatreya on the origin of Cosmos and means for Enlightenment, given to his disciple Parashurama. Must-read for anyone on a spiritual path.
February 28, 2024
Wonderful book, breaks down who we are and are not philosophically & scientifically.
Wonderful in every way, but whoever did the editing needs a pay cut, but on top of that, besides the mistakes, you know what the author is getting at. Does not take away from this blessed message only minus 1 star.
Wonderful in every way, but whoever did the editing needs a pay cut, but on top of that, besides the mistakes, you know what the author is getting at. Does not take away from this blessed message only minus 1 star.
May 14, 2023
Just when you think you've read, or at least heard of, all the Advaita Vedanta texts, along comes another one... A thorough treatise on the Oneness of reality, and a nice reminder that knowing this reality is possible.
November 11, 2024
My favorite Gita of South Asian religious thought, and a favorite book of Advaita Vedanta. It helps to liberate you of conceptuality.
Conceptuality may be useful for neophytes, but not for long, and this book is the next step from the traditional philosophical treatises of Adi Shankara.
Conceptuality may be useful for neophytes, but not for long, and this book is the next step from the traditional philosophical treatises of Adi Shankara.
October 19, 2019
The revelation conferred is one of great unraveling
February 1, 2020
A compound of verses that are meant for repetition, but may in fact be too repetitious. Good read for newcomers to the Vedanta philosophy.
May 28, 2021
There are no words to describe it: liberating advaita wisdom in it's purest form
October 9, 2021
Al di là delle parole e della traduzione, un vero e proprio canto traslitterato.
September 29, 2022
another no-holds-barred advaita classic, brutaly honest and direct, packs a hefty nondual punch, just the way i like it.
May 5, 2024
Between this and the Ashtavakra Gita, what could one hope to know?
August 14, 2024
باز نمی‌گردد هرگز آن که برخواند این سرود را که از داتاتریا آوادوتاست، آن که نمونه سرخوشی است و سرور؛ بازنمی‌گردد هرگز. دگرش بازگشتی نیست.
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October 16, 2020Ce petit volume est beaucoup plus intéressant que le précédent, car il s’agit ici d’un texte peu connu ; le mot avadhut est à peu près synonyme de jîvanmukta, de sorte que le titre pourrait se traduire par « Chant du Délivré », l’auteur est appelé Dattatreya, mais aucun autre écrit ne lui est attribué, et on ne sait pas exactement où ni quand il a vécu. En l’absence du texte, nous ne pouvons naturellement vérifier l’exactitude de la traduction dans le détail ; nous pouvons tout au moins relever une erreur en ce qui concerne âkâsha qui est en réalité l’« éther », et non point l’« espace » (en sanscrit dish) ; et nous nous demandons pourquoi Brahma, dans ce livre comme dans l’autre, est constamment orthographié Brhama. Mais, bien que nous ne voyions pas comment le traducteur a pu trouver une idée d’« amour » dans ce qui est une œuvre de pure « Connaissance », l’esprit du texte est, d’une façon générale, visiblement bien conservé et bien rendu dans la traduction. C’est là un très remarquable exposé de doctrine adwaita, qui, ainsi qu’il est dit dans l’introduction, « respire le plus pur esprit des Upanishads et de Shrî Shankarâchârya » et qui rappelle notamment l’Âtmâ-Bodha de celui-ci ; aussi la lecture ne saurait-elle en être trop recommandée.
September 15, 2017
My favourite version of this classic Advaita book. A must read!
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