Sant Eknath (c. 1533 – 1599)

The householder-saint who made scholarship common property.

BACKGROUND

Great-grandson of the saint Bhanudas, orphaned young and raised by his grandparents. His guru was Janardan Swami of Devgiri (Daulatabad). He lived as a married householder and showed that grihastha life and sainthood can coexist. He stood against caste discrimination, famously sharing meals and kindness with the so-called untouchables.

PLACE OF BIRTH

Paithan, on the Godavari, Maharashtra.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

• Eknathi Bhagwat: a Marathi commentary on the 11th skandha of the Bhagavata Purana

• Bhavartha Ramayana and Rukmini Swayamvar

• Bharuds: folk-style devotional poems with humour and social bite

• Prepared a corrected, authoritative text of the Dnyaneshwari, reviving interest in Dnyaneshwar's work

PLACE OF SAMADHI

Paithan, on the banks of the Godavari, where he took jal samadhi in 1599. The Nath Shashthi festival is held there.