Name – Sant Namdev

Born – Kartik Shuddha Ekadashi Shake 1192 (26 October AD 1270)

Died – 3 July 1350 CE Pandharpur

Sant Namdev Maharaj (c. 1270–1350 CE) was a revered Varkari saint, devotional poet, and Bhagwat Dharma preacher, known for his deep devotion to Lord Vitthal and for spreading spiritual teachings through kirtans across India, especially in Punjab.

Born in Narsi Bahmani (now Narsi Namdev in Maharashtra), he belonged to the Shimpi (tailor) caste, though some traditions consider him Kshatriya. His early life is wrapped in legend, including a famous miracle where Lord Vitthal is said to have drunk milk offered by the child Namdev.

Namdev composed bhakti poetry in Marathi and Braj, and over 60 of his hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, making him a revered figure in both Hindu and Sikh traditions. He had close spiritual associations with Sant Dnyaneshwar and was influential in both Maharashtra and Punjab.

Though records of his life are limited and debated, his legacy is preserved through temples, shrines (notably in Ghuman, Punjab, and Pandharpur), and a growing devotional following. His birthplace temple at Narsi Namdev was renovated in 2019.

Sant Namdev’s literary works, rooted in Vaishnava philosophy and deep devotion to Lord Vithoba, played a key role in shaping the Varkari movement in Maharashtra. Alongside saints like Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram, Namdev helped popularize Bhakti ideals through accessible Marathi poetry and soulful kirtans (samkirtanas).

Writing in simple language, Namdev conveyed powerful spiritual messages that resonated with the common people. He emphasized equality in salvation, stating that devotion (bhakti) — not caste — leads to liberation. His teachings empowered marginalized communities, including Shudras and Dalits, who were denied access to Vedic texts.

Namdev’s work contributed to the spread of the monotheistic Varkari faith, which originated in Karnataka and found its spiritual center in Pandharpur.

Bhajans – Sant Namdev’s bhajans were more than devotional poetry—they were melodic spiritual compositions designed for musical performance. Rooted in ancient Indian Sangita traditions, his songs followed classical raagas, included his signature “Nama” chhap, and used repeating refrains (Tek) to enhance both rhythm and devotion.

Namdev’s works belong to the Prabandha genre, which encompasses styles like dhrupad, bhajan, geet, and thumri. Unlike some music forms where melody overshadows meaning, Namdev’s bhajans placed the spiritual message at the core, blending music and devotion seamlessly.

Passed down through oral traditions and guru-shishya lineages, his compositions used structured patterns like Caturasra (4×4 beat cycle) and modular antaras, allowing flexible singing without losing depth or harmony.

Compilations – Sant Namdev is renowned for his abhangs, a devotional hymn form central to Marathi Bhakti literature. His songs were passed down orally through singing families, preserving his legacy for centuries before any written record emerged. This oral tradition expanded over time, as artists added to their repertoires.

The earliest manuscripts of Namdev’s abhangs date back to the 17th century, though a unified critical edition is still lacking. In 1970, the Government of Maharashtra compiled various manuscripts into the Sri Namdev Gatha, a key text in preserving his spiritual poetry.

Namdev’s influence also extends to Sikhism—the Guru Granth Sahib includes 61 hymns attributed to him. However, only 25 of these align with surviving Rajasthani manuscripts, suggesting multiple transmission paths from a shared early source.