Eknath (Makers of Indian Literature)

EKNATH (A. D. 1533-1599), a great saint-poet-cum-social reformer was a polymath, Sahitya Samrat whose valuable contribution to different forms of literature served as a beacon to his contemporaries and future generations.

Chapter 1 of this monograph depicts the deplorable socioeconomic and political condition of Maharashtra of the 16th century. After a brief biographical sketch (in Ch. 2), chapter 3 evaluates Eknath's magnum opus, his commentary on the Bhagavata which by its lucid exposition popularized the Bhagavata Sampradaya in all class of society. His romantic presentation of the merger of the individual Soul in the Supreme Soul in Rukmini Svayamvara (Ch. 4) is still unsurpassed. His interesting narrative of the Rama Story in the Bhavartha Ramayana (Ch. 6) was a model to later narrative poets like Mukteshwar, Mahipati and others. His miscellaneous works include not only his Vedantic treatises, but a vast number of his Abhanga-lyrics. His Abhangas popularly known as GAULANI describing the life of Krishna in Gokul, have enchanted not merely the elite (in Keertana) but have fascinated the masses in folk-dramas based on them. Ekanath's unique contribution is his BHARUD Abhangas. Through the wide social spectrum including all the castes and subcastes, god etc of the lower castes, games of goy an even animals, allegorically, Bhakti is preached in attractive style.

The last chapter shows how his spirtual leader of his times, "The Avatara of Jnanadeva" ushered in a New Epoch in Marathi literature is still regarded as the greatest saint (next to Jnanadeva) of Maharashtra.

About The Author:

G.V. TAGARE (b. 1911): Linguist, Historian of Pali and Prakrit literatures and author of works on Shaiva and Jain Philosophy is an English translator of the Bhagavat, Kurma, Narada, Brahmanda & Vayu Puranas (20 Volumes published) and Skanda Purana (in press) A writer on saint of Maharashtra in Marathi Journals is now engaged in the (English) Translation of Eknathi Bhagavata.

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