Namdev
Sant Namdev Maharaj | |
|---|---|
 Oleograph of Namdev, Bombay, c. 1920 | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | c. 26 October 1270 CE |
| Died | c. 3 July 1350 CE |
| Notable work | Abhanga devotional poetry |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Philosophy | Varkari |
Namdev (Pronunciation: [naːmdeʋ]), also transliterated as Namdeo (traditionally, c. 26 October 1270 – c. 3 July 1350) was a Marathi Vaishnava saint from Narsi, Hingoli, Maharashtra, Medieval India within the Varkari tradition of Hinduism. He was a devotee of the deity Vithoba of Pandharpur.
The details of Namdev's life are unclear. He is the subject of many miracle-filled hagiographies composed centuries after he died. Scholars find these biographies to be inconsistent and contradictory.
Namdev was influenced by Vaishnavism and became widely known in India for his devotional songs set to music (Bhajan-Kirtans). Namdev's legacy is remembered in modern times in the Varkari tradition, along with those of other gurus, with masses of people walking together in biannual pilgrimages to Pandharpur in Maharashtra. He is also recognised in the North Indian traditions of the Dadu Panthis, Kabir Panthis and Sikhs.
Some hymns of Namdev are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.