Samarth Ramdas Tukaram Shri Chakradhar Swami Saints Eknath Namdeo Dnyaneshwar Brother hood Generosity Kindness Saints preached the virtue of Service Nonviolence Equality Sacrifice Saints created the feeling in the minds of people that all men are equal. No one is high or low. 1
Shri Chakradhar Swami Originally a prince from Gujrat, but after becoming ascetic (wandering monk,sadhu), he wandered over to Maharashtra. He preached the principle of equality and did not believe in any discrimination based on gender or cast. He established a sect called 'Mahanubhav'. A book called 'Leelacharitra' is a compilation of memorable incidents from his life. 2
Namdeo. Great Devotee of Vitthal. He Lived in the village Narsi. Performed 'Keetans' everywhere. Travelled all over Maharashtra with Dnyaneshwar. Later travelled all over India. Taught the people deep devotion to God and also instilled in them the desire to protect their religion. Went to Punjab, composed songs in Hindi. Spread the message of equality among the people. Some of his songs are found in the religious book of the Sikhs,'Guru Granth Sahib'. Namdeo was Five years older than Dnyaneshwar. 3
Dnyaneshwar Born in 1275 AD in Apegaon. His brothers- Nivruttinath and Sopandeo. His sister- Muktabai. As these were children of 'Sanyasi',they were banished from their community. Muktabai's words gave new hope to Dnyandeo.He taught people to have faith in God. Gist of Dnyaneshwar's advice- 'Give equal treatment to all.help those in trouble and allay their misery. At his times all religious teaching was confined to Sanskrit books. But language in everyday use was Marathi. Dnyenshwar wrote 'Dnyaneshwari' in Marathi. Dnyandeo took Samadhi at Alandi near Pune.Thousands of pilgrims go there on the eleventh day of Ashadh and Kartik. 4
Eknath Lived in Paithan. Taught the people that the way to reach God was through devotion-bhaktimarg. Wrote -'Abhangs'-'Owees' and 'Bharuds' He urged the people to love all living beings and by his personal example,impressed the message of love and equality on the minds of the people. 5
Tukaram Lived in Dehu, near Pune. Owned a farm and grocery shop. Forefathers were money lenders.but Tukaram drowned all the record of loan papers in the river Indrayani. On Ekadashi of Ashadh and Kartik,he would go to Pandharpur. He wrote Abhangs and performed keertans. Taught the people about the virtues of pity,forgiveness and peace of mind. He wrote 'Tukaram Gatha' 6
Samarth Ramdas Born at Jamb on the banks of Godavari in Marathwada on Ramnavmi -the same day of Lord Rama's birth. Real name -Narayan, but preferred to be called Ramdasthe servant of Rama. Wrote Dasbodh,teaching the men ways of good life. Also wrote 'Manache Shlok'-giving people lessons in good thought and good conduct. Raised Temples of Hanuman to popularise the worship of strength. He urged the people to be strong and told them power of unity.also taught them to organize to fight against injustice. 7
Name Related Places Preaching/Work Writings Shri Chakradhar Swami Namdeo Dnyaneshwar Prince of Gujrat /Wandered over to Maharashtra Village Narsee/ Travelled all over Maharashtra with Dnyaneshwar/Travelled All over India/Went to Punjab Born in 1275 AD. at Apegaon / Wrote Dnyaneshwari at Nevase / Samadhi at Alandi/On eleventh day of Ashadh and Kartik pilgrims visit Alandi. Established sect Mahanubhav / Preached principle of equality / Did not believe in discrimination based on gender or cast/men and women became followers Devotee of Vitthal/Performed Keertans/Taught Deep Devotionto God/Instilled in people desire to protect their religion/ Message of equality Nivruttinath/Sopandeo/Muktabai. Banished from community being children of Sanyasi/ The knowledge confined in Sanskrit was opened wide to all in Marathi-the everyday used language /Taught people to have faith in God/Preached the ideal of brotherhood among all men/gist of his dvice- Give equal treatment to all. Help those in trouble and allay their misery. Leelacharitra - Compilation of memorable incidents from his life. Composed songs even in Hindi/Some songs are found in Sikh s Guru Granth Sahib Wrote Dnyaneshwari in Marathi Eknath Tukaram Paithan(on the banks of Godavari) Dehu(Banks of Indrayani) Preached Bhaktimarg -Way to reach God through Devotion/Not accept distinction of high an dlow/loved poor/downtrodden/even dumb animals/saw an orphan child,picked him and reached him home/impressed the message of love and equality on the minds of people. Owned farm and grocery shop/drowned loan papers in Indrayani/Shivaji Maharaj attended his Keertans/Preached about virtues of pity,forgiveness and peace of mind/famous Abhang- He alone is a saint, and God dwells with him who calls the weak and downtrodden as his own Wrote Abhangs, Owees, Bharuds Wrote Tukaram Gatha 8
Samarth Ramdas Jamb on the banks of the Godavari in Marathwada/Birthday is on Ramnavami Real name Narayan/Preferred name Ramdas/Urged people to be strong and told them the power of unity/raised Hanuman temples/taught to unite and fight against injustice Wrote Dasbodh - teaching the ways of good life/also wrote Manache Shlok -giving lessons in good thoughts and conduct Tukaram and Ramdas,these two saints lived in the time of Shivaji Maharaj. Namdeo was five years older than Dnyaneshwar. Dnyaneshwar was five years younger than Namdeo 9