Jnanadeva – (13th Century CE) – Biography of a great yogi

Jnanadeva (also written as Jnandev, Jnanesvar, Jñanadeva or Dnyāneshwar) was a Hindu saint of the Nath tradition, who lived in Maharasthra  in the 13^th century during the rule of the Yadava King Ramadevarao, immediately prior to the Islamic invasions of that part of India which started in 1296. Ramadevarao provided a stable and secure government compared with the political turbulence and persecutions which were then taking place in many parts of India, and thus his kingdom attracted saints and scholars and became one of the epicentres of Hinduism in that era.

In his short life, which is believed to be no longer than 22 years, Jnanadeva composed a rich body of spiritual writings [Amritanubhava, the Abhangas, the Jnanesvari and the Changadeva Pasashti], which are considered great milestones in Marathi literature.

Jnanadeva translated the Bhagavad Gita into Marathi and provided a magnificent and rich commentary, which appealed to…