Namdev

by Swami Sivananda

Introduction

Namdev of Maharashtra was a saint of mediaeval India. He was not a servant of Lord Krishna, but His companion. Namdev was an Amsa (part) of Lord Krishna.

Namdev was a contemporary of Jnanadev, the famous saint of Maharashtra, being his senior in age by about five years. He was born in 1269 A.D. He came of a family of tailors who were sincere devotees of Vittala of Pandharpur. The family members were observing the Wari of Pandharpur, i.e., going on pilgrimage twice a year on the first eleventh day of the Ashadh (June-July) and Kartik (October-November) months. The family originated from a village called Narsibamani on the bank of the river Krishna, near Karad, in district Satara. Being a great devotee of Vittala and wishing to improve his material prospects, Dama Setti, the father of Namdev, had moved to Pandharpur a year or two before his sons birth.

Namdev, from his very childhood; was like Prahlad. At the age of two, when he began to talk, the first correct word he uttered was Vittala, and since then, he continued with the repetition of that sacred name incessantly, without any help or instruction from others. He found great pleasure when every day his mother Guna Bai took him to the temple of Vithoba for offering worship to the Deity. His next step was, when at the age of about seven, he prepared a pair of cymbals and spent his time in dancing and singing, doing Bhajan, to the neglect of everythingfood, studies in school, rest, sleep, etc. His devotion to Vithoba was so innocent and sincere that he used to treat Him sometimes as his dearest brother or as his playmate.

One day, as Namdevs mother was busy, she asked Namdev to take the plate of offerings to Vithoba. Namdev went to the temple, placed the plate of eatables before Vithoba and asked Him to accept the offering. However, when Namdev did not find any evidence of acceptance by Vithoba, he cried so bitterly that Vithoba actually assumed a human form and accepted the offerings gratefully. Namdevs mother was surprised when her son came back in great joy with an empty plate and explained to her that Vithoba had accepted the offerings by actually consuming the eatables presented in the plate. So, the next day, she herself accompanied Namdev (but without his knowledge) to see and verify for herself the correctness of Namdevs explanation. The same performance was repeated and the mother had the satisfaction of seeing the Lord actually accepting their offerings. Her joy and pride in Namdev was unbounded. She felt grateful to the Lord that she was the mother of such a great devotee.

Lord Vithobahis only interest

In other respects, however, Namdev was the despair of his parents, and later, of his wife and other relatives. From the beginning he had no interest in worldly affairs; he neglected studies in school; he would not take interest in his fathers profession as a tailor, or in any other trade. His sole interest was to spend day and night in devotion to Vithoba. His parents were getting old; the family prosperity was waning. Therefore, their dearest wish was that Namdev, while devoting a reasonable spare time to his devotions, should help in maintaining the family in comfort. So, Namdev was sent to the bazaar one day to sell a few pieces of clothes. But Namdev was innocent of the tricks of the trade. To him, such things as prices, and money and its value, were unknown subjects. He went to the bazaar with the clothes, because his father forced him. He sat there on a stone doing Bhajan, entirely forgetting that he had gone there to sell the clothes. After a few hours the sun set and it was time for him to go to the temple for the evening devotional performance. Then only he remembered that he had not sold the clothes and that he would get a thrashing from his father. He was impatient to go to the temple. He therefore sold all the clothes to the very stone on which he was seated, i.e., he kept the clothes on the stone, appointed another stone as a guarantee that the first one would pay the money the next day, and went to the temple.

Namdev�s father was furious on hearing his sons adventures and asked him to bring forth Dhondya (which means a stone and which is also used as a proper name among certain classes of people of Maharashtra) who had guaranteed the money. The next day Namdev went back to the bazaar, found that the clothes had vanished during the night and took the second stone (Dhondya) home, as it refused to pay the money, and locked it in a room. He then went to the temple and narrated all the events to Vithoba and explained his difficulties also. When Namdevs father asked him to show him Dhondya who had guaranteed the money, Namdev replied that Dhondya had been kept in a closed room in the house and ran to the temple. When the father opened the room to demand the money, he found, to his surprise, a lump of gold. Great was the fathers joy; but Namdev was quite indifferent to it. He only praised God for saving him from a thrashing. Thus it went on.

His marriage

In the meantime, Namdev married Radha Bai. Radha Bai was a worldly-minded woman. In response to Namdevs invitation, Vittal attended the naming ceremony of Namdevs child in the guise of a human being, named the child Narayanaand gave good gifts on the occasion.

There was extreme poverty in the house of Namdev. Namdev neglected his worldly duties. Namdevs mother and wife abused Lord Krishna. Under the guise of Dharma Setti of Vaikunthapuram and the pretence of past friendship with Namdev, the Lord visited Namdevs house, gave magnificent gifts to Radha Bai and disappeared.

A Bhakta, named Parisha Bhagavat, propitiated Rukmini and got the philosophers stone which could convert iron into gold. Parishas wife gave the stone to her friend Radha Bai one day. Radha Bai showed the stone to her husband and said that his Bhakti was of no use and was inferior to the Bhakti of Parisha Bhagavat. Namdev threw the stone into the river. Next day Parisha came to know of everything and took Namdev to task. Namdev showed Parisha the place where he had dropped the stone. Parisha searched for the stone and found, not a single stone, but a whole lot. Parisha was struck with wonder. He admired the spirit of renunciation and the spiritual powers of Namdev.

Namdev felt it increasingly difficult to take interest in household affairs and in his parents, wife and children; and no amount of persuasion from all those people or his friends was successful in bringing him back to the worldly life. To him there was only one interest and that was Lord Vithoba. He used to spend hour after hour sitting before Vithoba, talking to Him, discussing spiritual matters with Him and doing Bhajan. To Namdev, Vithoba was the beginning and the end of everything.

Meeting with Jnanadev

When Namdev was about twenty years of age, he met the great saint Jnanadev at Pandharpur. Jnanadev was naturally attracted to Namdev as a great devotee of Vithoba. That he might benefit from the company of Namdev, he persuaded Namdev to go with him to all the holy places on pilgrimage. Namdev did not want to go, as that would mean separation from Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur. However, wiser counsel prevailed and Namdev was induced to go on pilgrimage. This was the most important period in the life of Namdev. Practically from this time, the two great saints almost never separated till death parted them. The pilgrimage extended to all parts of India and almost all the holy places.

On the way, several miracles are reported to have been performed by both Namdev and Jnanadev. Once Namdev and Jnanadev reached the desert of Marwar. Namdev was dying of thirst. They found out a well, but the water was at such a low depth that it was impossible to get it by ordinary means. Jnanadev proposed to assume the form of a bird by his Laghima Siddhi and bring the water up in his beak. But Namdev proved superior to him. He prayed to Rukmini. The level of the water rose miraculously to the surface. The well is seen even today at Kaladji, ten miles off Bikaner.

Namdev and Jnanadev came to Naganathpuri. Namdev started Bhajan in the temple. There was a huge crowd. The temple priests were not able to enter the temple and so became angry. Namdev went to the western gate of the temple and spent the night in doing Kirtan. The image of the temple itself turned to his side.

A Brahmin of Bidar invited Namdev to do Bhajan in his house. Namdev went there with a large number of devotees. The Sultan mistook them for rebel troops and sent General Kasi Pant against them. The general reported to the Sultan that it was only a religious party. The Sultan ordered that Namdev should be arrested and prosecuted. He asked Namdev to rouse a butchered cow to life or embrace Islam. An elephant was sent to crush Namdev to death. Namdevs mother requested her son to embrace Islam to save his life. But Namdev was prepared to die. Namdev raised the dead cow to life. The Sultan and others were struck with amazement. Namdev won the admiration of the Sultan and his party.

Namdev and Jnanadev met Narsi Mehta at Junagarh; Kabir, Kamal and Mudgalacharya at Kashi; Tulsidas at Chitrakut; Pipaji at Ayodhya; Nanak at a place in the Deccan and Dadu, Gorakhnath and Matsyendranath in other places.

When feeding of Brahmins was done by Namdev at the end of his pilgrimage, Vittal and Rukmini became the cooks and servers. They ate out of the very plate which Namdev used.

Namdev gained much, during the pilgrimage, from the society of Jnaneshwar and from Nivritti who was Jnaneshwars elder brother and Guru, and was able to look on this world with a wider vision as the manifestation of God.

As we saw earlier, Namdevs world began and ended with the Deity Vithoba of Pandharpur and he would not recognize any other Deity as the symbol of God. The pilgrimage lasted about five years and during this period Jnanadev advised Namdev to adopt a Guru so that he might be in a position to realise completely the manifestation of the all-pervading God and thus fulfil his own mission in life. Again Namdev hesitated as he thought that such action might alienate his loyalty and devotion to Vithoba. He plainly said that as long as he had the love of Vithoba, he had nothing to desire except constant devotion to Him. In fact, Vithoba was his Guru. It was, however, clear to Jnanadev and other saints in the company that Namdevs view was rather narrow in the sense that he thought God was centred in the Deity of Vithoba of Pandharpur and they wanted him to acquire the wider vision which they themselves had attained.

One day, in such company, Gora, another saint and a potter by trade, was asked to ascertain which of them were half-baked, i.e., had not realised Brahman. Gora took a small, flat wooden board such as he used to prepare or test the pots and began to pat on the head of everybody. When he came to Namdev and patted on his head, Namdev cried aloud thinking he was hurt. Immediately, all the others in the company began to laugh saying that Namdev was only half-baked and had not become fixed in his spiritual position.

Adopting a Guru

Greatly mortified, Namdev repaired to Vithoba and complained to Him of his humiliation. He said that he saw no necessity for him to have a Guru as he had intimate relationship with Lord Krishna Himself. Lord Krishna said that Namdev did not really know Him. Namdev denied this. Lord Krishna challenged Namdev and asked him to find out His identity that day. Namdev agreed. Lord Krishna took the form of a Pathan horseman and passed before Namdev. Namdev could not recognize the Lord. Namdev agreed to go to a Guru. Lord Vithoba then advised him to adopt Visoba Khechar as his Guru.

Visoba Khechar was one of the disciples of Jnanadev and was living at the time at a village called Avandhya. Namdev proceeded to the village immediately and arrived there at about noon. He took shelter in a temple in order to take some rest. There in that temple he saw a man sleeping with his feet on the Deity Itself. Namdev was shocked, woke up the man and rebuked him for this sacrilege. The man was no other than Visoba himself. Visoba replied, “O Namdev, why did you wake me up? Is there a single spot in this world which is not permeated by God? If you think that such a spot can be found, kindly place my feet there”. Namdev took the feet of Visoba in his hands and moved them to another direction, but the Deity was there. He then moved Visoba in still another direction, but the Deity was there too! Namdev could not find any direction or spot where he could place the feet of Visoba without treading on the Deity. God was everywhere. Having realised this great truth that God had permeated the whole universe, Namdev surrendered himself to Visoba gratefully and humbly. Visoba then advised Namdev at great length. A small portion of Visobas advice is given below.

“If you want to be absolutely happy, fill this world with Bhajan and the sacred Name of the Lord. The Lord is the world itself. Give up all ambitions or desires. Let them take care of themselves. Be content only with the name of Vittal.

You need not undergo any hardship or penance in order to go to heaven. Vaikuntha will come to you of itself. Do not be anxious of this life or of your friends or relatives. They are like the illusions of a mirage. One has to spend a short space of time here like the potters wheel which goes on rotating even after the potter has left. Make the best of it by keeping the name of Vittal ever in your mind and on your lips and by recognizing Him everywhere and in everyone. This is my experience of life.

“Pandharpur was established on the banks of the river Chandrabhaga as a sort of boat for people to cross safely this ocean of life. Pandharinath is standing there as the boatman-in-charge to take you to the other side; and the most important point is that He does this without asking for any fee. In this way He has saved crores of people who have gone to Him in surrender. If you surrender to Him, there is no death in this world.”

After initiation by Visoba, Namdev became more philosophical and large-hearted. His temple was no longer the small narrow space on the banks of the Chandrabhaga, but the whole world. His God was not Vithoba or Vittal with hands and legs, but the omnipotent infinite Being.

A few days after Namdev had adopted Visoba as his Guru, he was sitting at a place doing his Bhajan. In the meantime, a dog came to the spot and ran away with the bread he had prepared for his midday meal. Namdev ran after the dognot with a stick in his hand, but with a cup of Ghee; and he addressed the dog thus: “O Lord of the world! Why do You want to eat the dry bread? Take some Ghee along with it. It will taste much better”. Namdevs realisation of Atma was now complete and overflowing.

After Namdev had returned with Jnanadev from the long pilgrimage, the latter expressed his desire to take Samadhi at Alandi. Namdev therefore accompanied the party to Alandi as he could not part with Jnanadev. He was with Jnanadev to the last moment. He then accompanied the party until the other brothers, Nivritti and Sopan, and their sister Muktabai, left the world. Namdev has left behind a detailed account of the ends of these four saints in beautiful poems. Namdev was so shocked by these events which occurred within a short space of one year that he himself was left with no desire to live in this world. He took his Samadhi at Pandharpur at the age of twenty-six in 1295 A.D.

Namdev was not an author of any big treatise; but he left behind him a large number of Abhangas or short poems, full with the nectar of Bhakti and love towards God. These are exceedingly sweet. Most of these are lost, but there are extant about four thousand Abhangas, which to this day are a great source of inspiration to all who would read them. Some of the Abhangas are found in the Sikh Adi Granth.

The essence of Namdevs message is: “Always recite the Name of the Lord. Constantly remember Him. Hear His glory. Meditate on the Lord in your heart. Serve the Lord with your hands. Place your head at His lotus feet. Do Kirtan. You will forget your hunger and thirst. The Lord will be near you. You will attain immortality and eternal bliss”.

Namdevs maid-servant Janabai

No account of the life of Namdev would be complete without a mention of Janabai. She was a maid-servant in the household of Namdev. Nothing is known of her life except that she was Namdevs maid-servant. She herself forgot sometimes that she had an existence apart from being the maid-servant of Namdev. In several poems on devotion which she has left behind, she describes herself as Nams maid-servant or Namdevs Jani. She was one of the closest followers of Namdev and had no ambition other than to serve Namdev and sing the praises of the Lord Vithoba. For instance, in one of her poems she sings:

“Let me undergo as many births in this world as You please, but grant that my desires are fulfilled. They are that I see Pandharpur and serve Namdev in every birth. I do not mind if I am a bird or a swine, a dog or a cat, but my conditions are that in each of these lives, I must see Pandharpur and serve Namdev. This is the ambition of Namdevs maid.”

In another place, Janabai writes:

“Give me only this girl, O Hari, that I shall always sing Your sacred Name. Fulfil my only desire that You will accept my humble homage and service. This is all that I desire. Have mercy on me and fulfil my desires. I want to concentrate my eyes and mind on You and have Your Name on my lips. For this the maid Jani falls at Your feet.”

That sums up the philosophy of Janabai and how she attained her desired goal. So intense and sincere was her devotion to Vithoba that the Lord Himself used to lighten her household duties, which, as she became old, she found unable to perform. By her service and devotion to God, she completely succeeded in effacing herself and she got completely merged in Him. A great soulJanabai! And a greater MasterNamde

Namdev | Life & Teachings

Among the shining lights of India’s Bhakti tradition, one great saint is remembered for his unwavering devotion, childlike faith, and complete surrender to Lord Vitthala. Swami Sivananda regarded this enlightened devotee as a perfect example of pure love for God. His life demonstrated that sincere devotion, humility, and selfless service are more valuable than worldly wealth, social status, or intellectual knowledge.

Born into a humble family in Maharashtra, this saint displayed extraordinary spiritual inclination from an early age. While others were occupied with worldly pursuits, his heart was constantly absorbed in the remembrance of the Divine. He spent countless hours praying, singing sacred hymns, and meditating upon the Lord with complete faith. Swami Sivananda explained that such wholehearted devotion naturally purifies the mind and fills the heart with divine peace.

One of the greatest lessons from his life is the importance of absolute faith in God. Throughout his journey, he faced many hardships and challenges, yet his trust in the Divine never weakened. He believed that every event unfolds according to God’s will and that sincere devotion ultimately leads to spiritual victory. Swami Sivananda often emphasized that faith is the strongest support for every seeker, providing courage during difficult times and peace amid uncertainty.

The saint’s devotion was remarkable because it was free from selfish motives. He never worshipped the Lord for material rewards or personal recognition. Instead, his only desire was to remain in the constant presence of the Divine. According to Swami Sivananda, true devotion is motivated solely by love. When worship becomes an expression of pure affection rather than expectation, the heart experiences genuine spiritual joy.

Humility formed another outstanding quality of this great devotee. Despite earning the respect and admiration of countless people, he never considered himself superior to anyone. He always regarded himself as a humble servant of God. Swami Sivananda repeatedly taught that ego is the greatest obstacle on the spiritual path, while humility attracts divine grace and wisdom. The saint’s life beautifully illustrates how simplicity and modesty elevate the soul.

His devotional hymns continue to inspire generations of spiritual aspirants. Filled with deep love, surrender, and profound spiritual insight, these compositions encourage devotees to remember God in every moment of life. Swami Sivananda believed that singing the Divine Name with sincerity cleanses the mind, awakens devotion, and strengthens one’s connection with the Supreme Reality. Sacred music offered with pure intention becomes a powerful form of meditation.

The saint also preached equality, compassion, and universal brotherhood. He welcomed people from every community without discrimination and reminded everyone that God dwells equally in every heart. Differences of caste, wealth, education, or occupation have no place in genuine spirituality. Swami Sivananda praised this universal outlook, teaching that seeing the Divine in all beings naturally inspires kindness, respect, and selfless service.

Another important aspect of his life was the company of other holy souls. Through association with saints and sincere devotees, he helped spread the message of divine love throughout India. Swami Sivananda often encouraged seekers to keep the company of spiritually minded people, as noble association inspires righteous living, strengthens faith, and accelerates spiritual progress.

The teachings of this great devotee remain timeless because they are practical and universal. They remind every seeker that spiritual realization is not reserved for scholars or ascetics alone. Anyone who lives honestly, serves selflessly, remembers God constantly, and cultivates humility can experience divine bliss. His life demonstrates that the path of devotion is open to every sincere heart, regardless of social background or worldly position.

Swami Sivananda regarded this saint as one of the finest examples of unwavering faith and loving surrender. His inspiring life continues to guide millions toward inner peace, selfless service, and complete trust in the Divine. By practicing devotion with sincerity, living with compassion, and remembering God in every action, every individual can walk the path of spiritual fulfillment and experience the eternal presence of the Divine within the heart.

The Eternal Legacy of the Great Devotee According to Swami Sivananda

The life of this great devotee stands as a radiant example of unwavering faith, divine love, and complete surrender to God. Swami Sivananda often pointed to such saintly personalities as living proof that sincere devotion has the power to transform the human heart. Their lives remind humanity that spiritual greatness is not measured by wealth, education, or social influence, but by purity of character, steadfast faith, and unconditional love for the Divine. Every thought, word, and action of this saint reflected an unbroken awareness of God’s presence.

From an early age, the saint displayed an extraordinary attraction toward the Divine. While many children found happiness in worldly pleasures, his joy came from prayer, meditation, and singing the praises of the Lord. His innocent devotion touched the hearts of everyone who witnessed it. Swami Sivananda explained that the spiritual impressions carried from previous births often blossom during childhood, leading certain souls naturally toward God. Such examples encourage seekers to nurture devotion from an early stage of life.

One of the most remarkable qualities demonstrated throughout his life was simplicity. He lived without unnecessary desires and remained content with whatever God provided. Material possessions never became the center of his existence. Instead, his greatest treasure was constant remembrance of the Divine. Swami Sivananda repeatedly taught that contentment is one of the greatest spiritual virtues because it frees the mind from endless cravings and allows inner peace to flourish. A contented devotee experiences joy that no external circumstance can diminish.

Prayer occupied a central place in his daily life. His conversations with God were natural, loving, and sincere rather than formal or mechanical. Every prayer arose from a heart overflowing with devotion. Swami Sivananda encouraged spiritual aspirants to cultivate this intimate relationship with the Divine instead of limiting prayer to fixed occasions. When every moment becomes an opportunity to remember God, life itself becomes an act of worship.

The saint’s devotion was strengthened through continuous repetition of the Divine Name. He believed that the sacred Name possesses immense spiritual power capable of purifying the mind and awakening higher consciousness. Swami Sivananda strongly recommended the practice of repeating God’s Name, explaining that this simple discipline gradually removes negative tendencies, quiets restless thoughts, and fills the heart with divine bliss. Even amidst worldly responsibilities, constant remembrance keeps the mind connected with the Supreme.

Another inspiring lesson from his life is the importance of patience during periods of difficulty. Challenges never weakened his faith because he viewed every hardship as an opportunity for spiritual growth. Rather than complaining, he accepted life’s circumstances with gratitude and unwavering trust in divine wisdom. Swami Sivananda often reminded seekers that suffering can become a great teacher when approached with faith and surrender. Every obstacle strengthens the soul that remains firmly established in devotion.

Compassion naturally flowed from his heart toward all living beings. He never limited kindness to friends or relatives but extended love even to strangers and those who opposed him. His gentle words, generous actions, and forgiving nature reflected the presence of divine love within. Swami Sivananda regarded compassion as one of the highest expressions of spirituality because it dissolves selfishness and reveals the unity of all existence. Serving others with love becomes a direct form of worship when performed without expectation.

The saint also demonstrated complete honesty in every aspect of life. Truthfulness guided his speech, actions, and relationships. He understood that spiritual progress cannot be separated from moral integrity. Swami Sivananda consistently emphasized that truth is one of the strongest foundations of Yoga and devotion. A truthful mind becomes peaceful because it remains free from fear, deception, and inner conflict. Those who practice truth naturally develop courage and self-confidence.

Association with holy people further enriched his spiritual journey. He sought the company of enlightened souls whose lives reflected wisdom, compassion, and devotion. Through such association, his faith deepened, and his understanding of spiritual truths expanded. Swami Sivananda frequently advised aspirants to cultivate holy company because noble influences elevate thoughts, inspire discipline, and protect the mind from worldly distractions. Even reading the lives of saints creates a similar uplifting effect upon the heart.

One of his greatest contributions to spiritual life was the composition and singing of devotional hymns filled with profound love for God. These sacred songs were not merely artistic expressions but heartfelt prayers born from direct spiritual experience. They encouraged countless people to develop devotion regardless of their education or social standing. Swami Sivananda believed that devotional music possesses the power to calm the mind, awaken faith, and create an atmosphere filled with divine vibrations. Singing with sincerity transforms both the singer and the listener.

His teachings consistently emphasized equality among all human beings. He refused to judge others based on caste, occupation, wealth, or external appearance. Every individual was seen as a child of God deserving respect and compassion. Swami Sivananda wholeheartedly supported this universal outlook, teaching that genuine spirituality recognizes the Divine Presence in every living being. When one sees God everywhere, hatred and discrimination naturally disappear.

Detachment from worldly praise was another admirable quality displayed throughout his life. Although respected by many, he never became attached to fame or recognition. Praise and criticism were accepted with equal calmness because his happiness depended solely upon God. Swami Sivananda often explained that attachment to public opinion creates mental restlessness, whereas surrender to God brings lasting freedom. True devotees perform every action as an offering to the Divine without seeking appreciation.

The saint also inspired householders by proving that spiritual realization is not limited to forests or monasteries. One can live amid family responsibilities while maintaining constant remembrance of God. Honest work, loving relationships, selfless service, and daily prayer become powerful means of spiritual growth when performed with devotion. Swami Sivananda encouraged people to transform ordinary duties into sacred worship by cultivating the right attitude rather than abandoning worldly responsibilities.

His life teaches that devotion should naturally express itself through righteous conduct. Worship inside temples becomes meaningful only when accompanied by kindness outside them. Respect for parents, compassion toward the poor, forgiveness toward enemies, honesty in business, and humility in success are all practical expressions of devotion. Swami Sivananda reminded seekers that spiritual life is measured not by words but by conduct.

The timeless message of this great saint continues to illuminate the path for spiritual aspirants across generations. His unwavering faith, simple living, loving heart, and complete surrender to the Divine remain a source of inspiration for all who seek inner peace. Swami Sivananda regarded such saintly lives as practical guides that reveal the true purpose of human existence. By cultivating devotion, humility, truthfulness, compassion, contentment, and constant remembrance of God, every individual can move steadily toward self-realization and experience the eternal joy of divine union.

-Devotional India