In the year 1530, Sant Eknath entered the world, born into a respected Pratisthan Brahmin family in Paithan, which is known by that name today. The Kulkarnis of the village, bearing the real identity of Eknath Suryajipant Kulkarni, were his kin. The credit for transporting the precious image of Lord Pandurang from Vijayanagar to Pandharpur goes to Sant Bhanudas, Eknath’s paternal grandfather. Sadly, Eknath’s parents, Suryanarayan and Rukmini, mysteriously disappeared soon after his birth. Raised by his ancestors, Chakrapani and Saraswatibai, Eknath had to endure the taunts of other children as an orphan. To escape this, he turned away from their mockery, finding solace in devotion and contemplative activities from a very young age.
Early Life
When Sant Eknath was just about twelve years old, he first heard about the renowned philosopher Janardan Swami. Janardan Swami lived in Devgiri, which the rulers of the time called Daulatabad. Eknath, filled with a deep desire to become his student, journeyed all the way to Devagiri. Impressed by Eknath’s exceptional skills, Janardan Swami warmly welcomed him as a pupil. He shared his knowledge with Eknath, teaching him about Vedas, Nyaya, Meemansa, Pranayama, and the writings of Sant Dnyaneshwar, among other things. Eknath, influenced by Janardan Swami’s admiration for Dattatreya, developed a social perspective rooted in compassion and charity for all beings.
At one point, Janardan Swami suggested that Eknath take a break. Together, they traveled to Nasik-Trimbakeshwar. After completing his journey to various holy places in the western part of India, Eknath ventured to Paithan. His return brought immense joy to his relatives, who, in turn, encouraged him to embrace married life. Eknath and his spouse, Girija, exemplified ethical living, and their union was truly meant to be. Over time, the couple welcomed two daughters, Godavari and Ganga, and a son named Hari into their lives.
Writings
Eknath Maharaj expressed his profound wisdom through the enchanting medium of Marathi verses. One of his notable works, the Eknathi Bhagawat, serves as a lucid and comprehensive commentary on the 11th Stanza of the Bhagavata Purana, attracting the participation of 18,800 avid readers. In the ambitious endeavor of completing the Bhavartha-Ramayana, he penned the initial 25,000 verses, and his dedicated disciple Gavba contributed 15,000 verses to bring the project to fruition. Among his diverse creations, the Rukmini Swayamwar stands out with 1,711 verses, intricately woven around 144 lyrics from the Bhagavad Saga. Eknath’s magnum opus, Hastamalak, comprised 764 verses, drawing inspiration from Shankaracharya’s 14-shlok Sanskrit hymns.
In addition to these, Eknath crafted the Shukashtak (447 verses), Chiranjeeva-Pad (42 verses), Geeta-Sar, Swatma-Sukha (510 verses), Ananda-Lahari (154 verses), and Prahlad-Wijaya. Not only did he contribute to literary diversity, but Eknath also pioneered a new form of Marathi poetry called Bharood, with 300 devotional songs to his credit. Furthermore, he composed an additional 300 devotional songs in the Abhang style. Eknath Maharaj’s multifaceted talents extended to public speaking, where he delivered numerous enlightening sermons, establishing himself as a revered preacher.
Precepts
In the medieval era, Sant Eknath Maharaj emerged as a trailblazer in challenging untouchability norms in Maharashtra. He fearlessly championed equality, breaking barriers at a time when even Brahmins distanced themselves from those considered unworthy. A heartwarming incident exemplifies his compassion—spotting a Mahar infant wandering on the scorching sands of the Godavari, he rescued the child from the blistering heat. Through his poetic expressions, Sant Eknath implores people to treat each other with kindness and understanding, urging them to see one another as brothers and sisters. His inclusive philosophy extends to all living beings, encompassing birds, animals, and plants. Perhaps his most renowned poem emphasizes the divine essence in every soul, encouraging a profound sense of respect for each person encountered.
Dnyaneshwari’s Resurrection
Eknath took on the responsibility of recovering Dnyaneshwar’s significant masterpiece, the Dnyaneshwari, which, like many other Hindu epics, was lost during the Muslim conquests. Dnyaneshwar had crafted a crucial interpretation in Marathi, presented in poetic form, on the revered Sanskrit scripture Bhagawad Geeta around 250 years before Sant Eknath’s time. This masterpiece, known as the Dnyaneshwari or Bhawarth-Deepika, had been lost amidst the challenges faced by Maharashtra during the period between Dnyaneshwar and Eknath, marked by invasions from Muslim conquerors.
The devastation left people disheartened, unable to connect with their lost epics, songs, and poetry within just a few generations. Recognizing the need for a revival of Marathi literary works, especially the great epics, and the cultivation of traditional values among the youth, Sant Eknath believed that reintroducing the once prevalent Marathi Dnyaneshwari could bring normative and spiritual exhilaration to the people.
Conclusion
Sant Eknath, born in 1533 and living until 1599, was not just a Marathi saint but also a philosopher and a poetic soul. Picture him as a bridge connecting the esteemed figures Dnyaneshwar and Naamdev to the equally remarkable Tukaram and Ramdas in the vibrant tapestry of Marathi literature. Eknath’s life was a dedication to breathing life back into epic poetry. His initial quest was to locate Dnyaneshwar’s resting place, driven by the desire to show the community that Dnyaneshwar was not just a distant figure but a relatable, upright individual – someone they could truly call their own.
Read Also: Sant Kabir (1440 – 1518)
