Eknath (Deified)

Eknath (c. 1533–1599 CE) is a preeminent saint-poet of the Varkari tradition in Maharashtra, venerated as a deified figure for his profound contributions to devotional literature and social reform. Born in Paithan to a Deshastha Brahmin family, he was a disciple of Janardan Swami, who initiated him into the Nath sect and the Bhagavata dharma. Eknath's magnum opus, the *Eknathi Bhagavata*, is a Marathi commentary on the eleventh skandha of the *Bhagavata Purana*, composed in the ovi meter. This work is revered for its lucid exposition of bhakti and its integration of Advaita Vedanta with devotional theism.

According to the *Bhagavata Purana* (11.2.36), the path of devotion is supreme, and Eknath's commentary emphasizes this through the lives of the Alwars and the story of King Nimi. Additionally, his *Abhangas* (devotional poems) are sung during the Pandharpur Wari, the annual pilgrimage to the Vithoba temple. The *Mahabharata* (Vana Parva) mentions the glory of Pandharpur, which Eknath celebrated in his works. Iconographically, Eknath is depicted as a serene sage holding a manuscript of the *Eknathi Bhagavata*, often with a scholarly and compassionate expression. His life is marked by miracles and social inclusivity, such as feeding the hungry and challenging caste orthodoxy.

Tradition holds that he composed the *Rukmini Swayamvara* and *Bhavartha Ramayana* in Marathi. Eknath's role in Hindu cosmology is that of a *sant* who bridges the gap between scriptural erudition and popular devotion, embodying the ideal of *jñāna* (knowledge) and *bhakti* (devotion). He is worshipped primarily in Maharashtra, especially during the Pandharpur Wari and on Eknath Jayanti. His teachings continue to inspire the Varkari tradition, which emphasizes egalitarian worship of Vithoba. The *Skanda Purana* (Prabhasa Khanda) extols the merit of serving saints, a principle Eknath exemplified.

His legacy as a deified saint underscores the Hindu belief in the divinity of realized souls who guide humanity toward spiritual liberation.

Depicted as a saint with a manuscript. Scholarly, devotional expression.