Eknathi Bhagwat is a Marathi commentary on the eleventh skandha of the Bhagavata Purana, written by the 16th-century saint and poet Eknath. It is considered one of the most important and influential works of the Varkari sect, which worships Lord Vitthal as the supreme deity. Eknath composed this work between 1570 and 1573 CE, following the order of his guru Janardan Swami. He wrote it in the form of ovi, a type of quatrain verse in Marathi language. The work consists of 18,800 ovi and 31 chapters, covering the life and teachings of Lord Krishna.
The main purpose of Eknathi Bhagwat is to show the easy path of devotion to God through the example of Krishna, who is the embodiment of love and bliss. Eknath emphasizes the equality of all beings and the divine presence in everyone. He also teaches how to overcome the bondage of worldly attachments and attain liberation by surrendering to God's will. Eknath uses various literary devices such as stories, parables, dialogues, songs, and humor to convey his message in an appealing and effective way.
Eknathi Bhagwat is not only a religious text, but also a valuable source of social and cultural history of Maharashtra in the 16th century. It reflects Eknath's vision of a harmonious society based on human values and tolerance. It also showcases his mastery of various languages such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, Arabic, Persian, and Kannada, as well as his knowledge of various scriptures and sciences.
Eknathi Bhagwat is widely read and revered by the followers of Varkari tradition, as well as other Marathi-speaking people. It has been translated into several languages and published in various formats. One can download a free PDF version of Eknathi Bhagwat in Marathi from this link.
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