Namdev

Saint Kabir with Namdeva, Raidas and Pipaji. Jaipur, early 19century, National Museum New Delhi (2)

Detail of Bhagat Namdev from a fresco depicting Guru Arjan meeting the Bhagats and composing the Adi Granth with the assistance of Bhai Gurdas, circa mid-19th century

Trilok Singh Chitarkar 1933

Namdev 1970 stamp of India

Namdev (also transliterated as Namdeo or Namadeva; c. 1270 – c. 1350) was a prominent saint and poet from Maharashtra, India, who is significant to the Varkari sect of Hinduism. He is also venerated in Sikhism, with his hymns included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. Namdev's devotion to Lord Vithoba, a form of Krishna, and his role in the Bhakti movement in India, mark him as a key figure in Indian religious history.

Life

Namdev was born in the village of Narsi Bamani, in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra, into a family of tailors. The exact dates of his birth and death are debated, but he is generally believed to have lived between the late 13th and mid-14th centuries. His early life was marked by a deep devotion to Lord Vithoba, and he is said to have performed many miracles in the name of his deity.

Teachings and Legacy

Namdev's teachings emphasized the importance of devotion (Bhakti) and the remembrance of God's name as the path to liberation. He was a pioneer in using the local language, Marathi, for his poetry, making his teachings accessible to the common people. His work consists of over 2,500 abhangs (devotional poems), which express a range of emotions, from joy to sorrow, and describe his personal experiences of divine connection.

Namdev's influence extended beyond Maharashtra and the Varkari sect. His hymns are found in the Sikh Guru Granth Sahib, indicating his impact on Sikhism. He is considered one of the first poets whose work is included in this holy scripture, highlighting the inter-religious respect and unity within the Bhakti and Sikh movements.

Philosophy

Namdev's philosophy centered around the worship of a personal god and the importance of living a life of simplicity and devotion. He rejected caste distinctions and rituals that he saw as superficial, focusing instead on the inner experience of God. His teachings contributed to the Bhakti movement's emphasis on a direct, personal relationship with the divine, accessible to all, regardless of caste or social status.

Influence

Namdev's work had a significant influence on the development of Marathi literature and the Bhakti movement in India. His legacy is evident in the continued popularity of his abhangs among the Varkari community and his presence in Sikh scripture. He is remembered as a saint who lived a life of devotion and inspired others to seek a direct connection with God.

See Also

• Varkari
• Bhakti movement
• Guru Granth Sahib
• Marathi literature