Saints & Spiritual LeadersVitthal (Pandurang) — the ishta devata of Sant Dnyaneshwarthe Warkari traditionDnyaneshwar Jayanti (Jyeshtha Shukla Ashtami), Dnyaneshwar Punyatithi/Samadhi Day (Kartika Krishna Trayodashi), Ashadhi Ekadashi, Kartiki Ekadashi
Sant Dnyaneshwar (Jnaneshwar) — Life, Dnyaneshwari, Pasaydan, and Spiritual Legacy
Comprehensive guide to Sant Dnyaneshwar, 13th-century Marathi saint, author of Dnyaneshwari and Pasaydan, founder of Warkari tradition, his life, works, and enduring spiritual influence.
By Sanatan Hindu5 min readUpdated 10 September 2026Audio available
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Introduction
Sant Dnyaneshwar, also reverently known as Jnaneshwar or Dnyandev, stands as one of the most luminous figures in the spiritual history of Maharashtra and the broader Bhakti movement of medieval India. Born in 1275 CE in the village of Apegaon near Paithan on the banks of the Godavari, into a Brahmin family that had suffered social ostracization due to his father Vitthalpant's return to householder life after taking sannyasa, Dnyaneshwar's early life was marked by hardship, exclusion, and profound spiritual resilience. Along with his siblings Nivruttinath, Sopan, and Muktabai — all of whom became realized saints in their own right — Dnyaneshwar transformed personal suffering into a universal message of divine love, non-dual wisdom (Advaita), and egalitarian devotion. At the tender age of sixteen, he composed the Dnyaneshwari (also called Bhavarth Deepika), a monumental Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita that democratized Sanskrit scriptural wisdom, making the profound teachings of Krishna accessible to the common person in their native language. This work, written in the Ovi meter, is not merely a translation but a poetic, philosophical, and devotional masterpiece that weaves together Vedanta, Yoga, Nath tradition, and Varkari bhakti into a seamless tapestry. Dnyaneshwar's genius lay in his ability to articulate the highest non-dual philosophy — the oneness of Atman and Brahman — through the language of heartfelt devotion to Lord Vitthal (Vithoba) of Pandharpur, thus bridging the path of knowledge (Jnana) and the path of love (Bhakti). His other major works include Amrutanubhav (a treatise on non-dual experience), Changdev Pasashti (sixty-five verses addressed to the yogi Changdev), and Haripath (abhangas praising the Lord's name). The Pasaydan, a nine-verse prayer at the conclusion of the Dnyaneshwari, remains one of the most recited and cherished prayers in Marathi households, invoking universal welfare, the company of saints, and the grace of the Guru. Dnyaneshwar entered Sanjivan Samadhi (a yogic conscious departure) at Alandi in 1296 CE at the age of twenty-one, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire millions through the Warkari pilgrimage tradition, the annual Pandharpur Yatra, and the daily recitation of his works in homes across Maharashtra and beyond.
Significance
The spiritual significance of Sant Dnyaneshwar extends far beyond his historical role as a poet-saint; he represents a pivotal convergence of Advaita Vedanta, Nath Yogic tradition, and Varkari Bhakti, creating a synthesis that continues to shape the religious consciousness of Maharashtra. The Dnyaneshwari is often regarded as the 'Gita of the Marathi people' — not because it simplifies the original, but because it expands each verse into a living dialogue between the seeker and the Divine, infused with metaphor, narrative, and direct experiential insight. Scripturally, Dnyaneshwar draws from the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Yoga Vasistha, and the Goraksha Samhita, yet his voice is unmistakably original, marked by a compassionate intimacy that addresses the doubts, fears, and aspirations of the ordinary householder. The Pasaydan, in particular, encapsulates the essence of his vision: a prayer not for personal liberation alone, but for the upliftment of all beings — 'May the wicked become virtuous, may the virtuous attain peace, may all beings be friendly toward one another.' This universalist ethos reflects the core of the Warkari sampradaya, which emphasizes equality, humility, service (seva), and the chanting of God's name (namasmaran) as the supreme sadhana for Kali Yuga. Culturally, Dnyaneshwar's legacy is inseparable from the Pandharpur Yatra, where millions of Warkaris walk hundreds of kilometers singing abhangas, carrying palkhis of the saints, embodying the ideal of 'sangha' (spiritual community) that he championed. His samadhi at Alandi remains a vibrant pilgrimage site where the Dnyaneshwari is recited continuously, and where seekers experience the living presence of the saint. Astrologically and ritually, his Jayanti (birth anniversary on Shukla Paksha Ashtami of Jyeshtha) and Punyatithi (Samadhi day on Krishna Paksha Trayodashi of Kartika) are observed with fasting, parayan (recitation), kirtan, and annadan, believed to bestow spiritual merit, clarity of intellect, and the grace of the Guru-parampara. In the Nath lineage, he is honored as a Mahasiddha who mastered Kundalini Yoga; in the Varkari tradition, as the Adi Guru who opened the door of bhakti for all castes and genders. His teachings on the Guru-disciple relationship — especially the reverence for Nivruttinath as Guru — underscore the necessity of lineage and transmission. Ultimately, Dnyaneshwar's significance lies in his demonstration that the highest truth can be expressed in the vernacular, that a teenager can be a Jagadguru, and that the path to the Divine is paved with love, humility, and the company of the holy.
Auspicious Time
Daily morning or evening for Pasaydan recitation; Dnyaneshwar Jayanti (Jyeshtha Shukla Ashtami), Punyatithi (Kartika Krishna Trayodashi), Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi for Pandharpur Yatra; any time for Dnyaneshwari parayan (continuous reading)
Find your exact auspicious time Check the shubh muhurat and choghadiya for your city and date.
Required Samagri (Materials)
✦Copy of Dnyaneshwari (Marathi or translation)
✦Pasaydan text (printed or handwritten)
✦Image or murti of Sant Dnyaneshwar
✦Image of Lord Vitthal (Pandurang) and Rukmini
✦Incense (agarbatti) and lamp (diya) with ghee
✦Flowers (especially tulsi and marigold)
✦Naivedya (offering of sweet like peda or sheera)
✦Clean cloth (vastra) for the image
✦Water in kalash with mango leaves and coconut
✦Rudraksha mala or tulsi mala for japa
Preparation Steps
- 1Bathe and wear clean, preferably white or saffron clothing
- 2Clean the puja altar or designated space thoroughly
- 3Place the image of Sant Dnyaneshwar on a raised platform with a clean cloth
- 4Place Lord Vitthal's image beside or above the saint's image
- 5Arrange flowers, incense, lamp, and naivedya on a thali
- 6Light the lamp and incense, invoking the presence of the Guru and the Lord
- 7Sit in a comfortable posture facing east or north
- 8Invoke Guru Nivruttinath, Sant Dnyaneshwar, and the Guru-parampara with folded hands
- 9Set a sankalpa (intention) for the recitation or study — e.g., for wisdom, peace, universal welfare
Steps
- 1Begin with three deep breaths and chant 'Om' three times
- 2Recite the Guru Stotram or 'Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu...' to honor the lineage
- 3Offer flowers and akshata (rice with turmeric) to Sant Dnyaneshwar's image while chanting his name
- 4Wave the lamp (arati) in a clockwise circle, singing the Dnyaneshwar Arati if known
- 5Offer naivedya and sprinkle water around it as purification
- 6Recite the Pasaydan slowly, with understanding and feeling, verse by verse
- 7If doing Dnyaneshwari parayan, read one chapter (adhyay) daily in sequence, with contemplation
- 8After recitation, sit in silent meditation for a few minutes, absorbing the teachings
- 9Distribute the naivedya as prasad to family members and guests
- 10Conclude with a prayer for the welfare of all beings (Sarve bhavantu sukhinah)
Mantras
Pasaydan (Verse 1)
जय जय रघुवीर समर्थ | माझे सिद्ध होवें अर्थ ||
Jaya Jaya Raghuvīra Samartha | Mājhe Siddha Hoveṃ Artha ||
Meaning: Victory, victory to the heroic Lord Rama, the all-capable! May my purpose be fulfilled.
Pasaydan (Verse 2)
विधि हरि हर सर्व संशय | जावे निर्विकल्प निश्चय ||
Vidhi Hari Hara Sarva Saṃśaya | Jāve Nirvikalpa Niścaya ||
Meaning: May all doubts regarding Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva vanish, and may firm, doubt-free conviction arise.
Pasaydan (Verse 3)
दुष्टमति दूर करि भ्रष्ट | सुसंकल्प होऊन वाढवें रष्ट ||
Duṣṭamati Dūri Kari Bhraṣṭa | Susaṅkalpa Houna Vāḍhaveṃ Raṣṭa ||
Meaning: Drive away evil intellect and corruption; let noble resolve grow and flourish.
Pasaydan (Verse 4)
प्राणिजात जाणून घेऊन | परस्पर प्रेम करावें घेऊन ||
Prāṇijāta Jāṇūna Gheūna | Paraspara Prema Karāveṃ Gheūna ||
Meaning: May all living beings, understanding one another, cultivate mutual love.
Pasaydan (Verse 5)
योगी सिद्ध मुनि जती | सर्व संशय जावे वाटी ||
Yogī Siddha Muni Jatī | Sarva Saṃśaya Jāve Vāṭī ||
Meaning: May yogis, siddhas, sages, and ascetics be freed from all doubts.
Pasaydan (Verse 6)
ज्ञानदेवाची पायरी | बोलावे सर्व संशय हरी ||
Jñānadevācī Pāyarī | Bolāve Sarva Saṃśaya Harī ||
Meaning: At the feet of Jnanadev, may all doubts be dispelled by the very utterance of his name.
Pasaydan (Verse 7)
संतांची संगा पावें | तेथे तें निर्वाण घेऊन जावें ||
Santāṃcī Saṅgā Pāveṃ | Tethe Te Nirvāṇa Gheūna Jāveṃ ||
Meaning: May one attain the company of saints, and there, attain liberation.
Pasaydan (Verse 8)
ज्ञानेश्वरी यथार्थ गीता | तीची पायरी माझी सीता ||
Jñāneśvarī Yathārtha Gītā | Tīcī Pāyarī Mājhī Sītā ||
Meaning: The Jnaneshwari is the true Gita; its feet are my Sita (refuge and devotion).
Pasaydan (Verse 9)
पासयदान हे माझे | सिद्ध होवें ज्ञानराजी ||
Pāsayadāna He Mājhe | Siddha Hoveṃ Jñānarājī ||
Meaning: This Pasaydan of mine — may it be fulfilled, O King of Knowledge (Jnanaraja)!
Sant Dnyaneshwar Arati (Opening Verse)
जय जय ज्ञानदेव मुकुंद | पांडुरंगी चरण कमल बंधु ||
Jaya Jaya Jñānadeva Mukunda | Pāṇḍuraṅgī Caraṇa Kamala Bandhu ||
Meaning: Victory to Jnanadev, the giver of liberation, friend of the lotus feet of Pandurang.
Guidelines
- •Observe a sattvic diet (no onion, garlic, meat, alcohol) on Jayanti and Punyatithi
- •Fast until completion of Pasaydan recitation or Dnyaneshwari parayan if undertaking a vow
- •Maintain silence (mauna) during recitation as far as possible
- •Sleep on the floor or simple bedding on observance days
- •Avoid entertainment, gossip, and worldly distractions during the vrata period
- •Offer annadan (food donation) to at least one poor person or sadhu on the day
Do's
- ✓Recite Pasaydan with understanding, not mechanically
- ✓Study Dnyaneshwari under a qualified teacher or with a reliable commentary
- ✓Participate in Warkari satsangs and kirtans to imbibe the living tradition
- ✓Visit Alandi and Pandharpur if possible, especially during Yatra
- ✓Cultivate humility, seeing all beings as forms of the same Divine
- ✓Practice namasmaran (chanting Vitthal's name) daily as Dnyaneshwar taught
Don'ts
- ✗Do not treat Dnyaneshwari as mere literature — it is a living scripture
- ✗Do not recite Pasaydan for material gains alone; its intent is spiritual welfare
- ✗Do not criticize other saints or sampradayas; Dnyaneshwar honored all paths
- ✗Do not neglect the Guru-parampara — Nivruttinath is the root Guru
- ✗Do not commercialize the teachings or use them for ego-display
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Confusing Dnyaneshwari with a simple translation — it is an independent revelation
- •Reciting Pasaydan only on special occasions instead of daily practice
- •Ignoring the yogic and Advaitic depth, reducing it to only bhakti
- •Believing Dnyaneshwar rejected rituals — he reinterpreted them inwardly
- •Overlooking the role of the other three siblings (Nivrutti, Sopan, Muktabai)
Regional Variations
- •In Warkari tradition: Emphasis on Pandharpur Yatra, abhangas, and Vitthal bhakti
- •In Nath sampradaya: Focus on Kundalini Yoga, Siddha status, and Amrutanubhav
- •In Brahmin households: Daily parayan of Dnyaneshwari as part of nitya karma
- •In modern spiritual circles: Study of Amrutanubhav as non-dual philosophy text
- •In diaspora communities: Online parayans, Zoom satsangs, and translated readings
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dnyaneshwari considered equal to the Bhagavad Gita?▾
Dnyaneshwari is not a mere translation; it is an independent revelation (apaurusheya in spirit) where Dnyaneshwar expands each Gita verse into a profound, experiential discourse. The Warkari tradition holds that the Gita is the 'milk' and Dnyaneshwari is the 'cream' — the essence made accessible. Dnyaneshwar himself states that the Gita is the mother and Dnyaneshwari is the daughter who serves her.
What is the best way to start reading Dnyaneshwari?▾
Begin with the Pasaydan and the first chapter (Vishada Yoga), ideally with a good Marathi commentary (like Bhausaheb Maharaj's or the Gita Press edition) or a reliable English translation (e.g., by R.K. Kulkarni or V.S. Bendre). Join a weekly study group (parayan mandal) if possible. Read slowly, contemplating each ovi.
Can non-Marathi speakers benefit from Dnyaneshwar's works?▾
Absolutely. Numerous translations exist in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, and other languages. The universal teachings — oneness, devotion, Guru grace, compassion — transcend language. Many non-Marathi saints (e.g., Ramana Maharshi, Swami Sivananda) have praised Dnyaneshwari. The Pasaydan is widely recited globally.
What is the significance of Sanjivan Samadhi at Alandi?▾
Sanjivan Samadhi means Dnyaneshwar consciously entered a state of living samadhi, not death. His body was interred in a seated yogic posture at Alandi. Devotees believe he remains spiritually present and accessible. The samadhi temple is a powerful site for meditation, and the continuous recitation of Dnyaneshwari there is considered highly meritorious.
How is Dnyaneshwar related to the Nath tradition?▾
Dnyaneshwar was initiated by his elder brother Nivruttinath, who was a disciple of Gahininath, a direct disciple of Gorakshanath (the founder of Nath Yoga). Thus Dnyaneshwar belongs to the Nath lineage. His works (especially Amrutanubhav and Changdev Pasashti) reflect deep knowledge of Kundalini, chakras, and Hatha Yoga, integrated with bhakti.
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References & Traditional Notes
- •Dnyaneshwari (Bhavarth Deepika) — original Marathi text with commentaries by Bhausaheb Maharaj, Tukaram Bua, and others
- •Amrutanubhav — philosophical treatise on non-dual experience
- •Changdev Pasashti — 65 verses to yogi Changdev, demonstrating yogic mastery
- •Haripath — collection of abhangas on namasmaran
- •Bhakti Lilamrita by Mahipati — hagiography of Warkari saints
- •Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Charitra — traditional biographies in Marathi
- •Guru Charitra (Chapter on Nivruttinath-Dnyaneshwar) — for Guru-parampara context
- •Warkari Pilgrimage: The Pandharpur Yatra as living tradition
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Copy of Dnyaneshwari (Marathi or translation)Pasaydan text (printed or handwritten)Image or murti of Sant DnyaneshwarImage of Lord Vitthal (Pandurang) and RukminiIncense (agarbatti) and lamp (diya) with gheeFlowers (especially tulsi and marigold)Naivedya (offering of sweet like peda or sheera)Clean cloth (vastra) for the image
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