Jnandev, popularly known as Jnaneshwara, his sister
Muktabai and his two brothers were all poet-saints. His great work, the
Jnaneshwari is a monumental verse commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. He
also wrote Anubhavamrita. Then came Namdev, who wrote in Hindi as well
as in Marathi. Some of his Hindi songs were included in the Granth
Sahib, the scripture of the Sikhs. Traveling all over Maharashtra with
Sant Dnyaneshwar, Namdev taught people about deep devotion to God.
Eknaath (1533-99), taught bhakti and jnana are like flower and fruit,
inconceivable in separation. He succeeded the works of Jnaneshwar and
Namdev. Eknaath edited the text of the Jnaneshwari as it became
corrupted in coarse of time. He was both scholar and poet, and his verse
exposition of chapter XI of the Bhagavata is as illuminating and as
popular as the Jnaneshwari. He also wrote religious songs like Abhangas,
Owees and Bharuds.
Tukaram's, (1608-'50) secret peculiarity lies in the rustic simplicity
and utter frankness on self-revelation in his songs together with their
profound understanding and ardent devotion. He wrote devotional songs
like 'Abhangas' and performed 'Keertans'.
Know about various great poets of Maharashtra.