Namdev was a saint of Sant Dnyaneshwar who was born in 1270 and is considered to be one of the most well known religious poets of Maharashtra. He was born in Hingoli District in the village of Narasi-Bamani to Damasheti Relekar, a tailor and Gonabai. His family shifted to Pandharpur after his birth where he spent about eighty years of his life.

Namdev did not show any particular interest in his family profession. His parents were true devotees of Lord Vitthal and as a child, he used to spend most of his time in devotion to lord Vithoba. He devoted his entire life to Vitthal. His devotion was extraordinary and considered Lord Vithoba to be his play mate or brother. He was married at the age of eleven to the daughter of Govindsheti Sadavarte, Rajabai. They had one daughter and four sons. During the year 1291, Namdev met Saint Dnyaneshwar at Pandharpur.

Residences of Namdev

Namdev spent the earlier part of his life in Pandharpur and the later part in North India. He travelled to numerous parts of India. Some of these parts include:

• Ghuman, Gurdaspur District
• Dhomangaon, Gurdaspur District
• Pandharpur

Writings of Namdev

Namdev was one among the early writers who composed poetry in the Marathi language. He was a promoter of the Bhagwad Dharma that extended past Maharashtra. He wrote hymns in Punjabi and Hindi language. These hymns carry traces of saguna bhakti and idolatry. His depth of talent and devotion was such that even Lord Pandurang was influenced by his tune. He initiated religious unity throughout the country. There are about 125 abhangs composed by him in Hindi language. Out of these 125 abhangs, sixty one abhangs comprise of the Sikh scripture. His songs have been brought together in Namdevachi Gatha. His compositions have been incorporated in the sacred Sikh scriptures called as Adi Granth. He also wrote a biography on the great Saint Dnyaneshwar which made him the first biographer in Marathi.

Preaching Of Life

Namdev played a significant role of uniting people. He gathered a group of devotees in Pandharpur in his early fifties. His devotional songs became popular among people and they thronged to listen to them. Some of his disciples in Punjab were Keshav Kaladhari, Vishnuswami, Bahordas and Laddha.

Spiritual Development

Namdev had certain social and religious views which were similar to those of Kabir. After the sad demise of Saint Dnyaneshwar, he continued to spread the Bhagwad Dharma. His sole object of devotion was Vitthala of Pandharpur and spent his time chanting his verses. His bhakti to Vithoba took deeper roots and he started remaining away from the worldly affairs. He got completely engrossed in composing abhangs to please his lord. He used to get completely absorbed in the bhakti of his lord in the company with saints like Sanvata Mali and Gora Kumar who were in Pandharpur. Such was his devotion that he could see his lord appearing in front of him and doing his work. He was known to have a great influence on Saint Tukaram. Namdev had totally surrendered himself to Lord Vitthal and risen above creed and caste considerations. There are many miracles that are associated with him. He could not remain away from his Lord even for a short period of time.

Namdev left this world at the age of eighty in front of Lord at Pandharpur. He wished to be a stepping stone of the Pandharpur Temple so that he could be blessed by countless devotees and saints stepping on him.