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Eknaath

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Eknaath
1533-1599 AD = 66 years

The state of Mahaaraashtra in India is renowned for the spiritual giants. Sant Naam Dev, Sant Tukaaraam, Sant Gyaananeshwar, Sant Janaa Baaee.... the list is long and Sant Eknaath is one amongst the most exalted saints of India. He lived about 300 years ago. He is frequently quoted as the one of the best examples for devotion towards a Guru. Eknaath is known for his devotional songs and Guru Bhakti. He was a Mahaatmaa who learnt all the Shaastra, but he realized that Shaastra were of no use.

He had lived in Deogarh, in Mahaaraashtra in 16th century India.  He got married to Girijaa Baaee at the age of 25 years and had three children. He was well versed in Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Hindi languages besides Maraathee. He was the disciple of Janaardan Swaamee.

Incidents of His Guru Bhakti
He wondered, "Of what use is learning Tark or Vedaant if one failed to experience peace?" Even if we are adept in all the Shaastra - be it Vedaant, Tark or any other philosophy - we cannot enjoy peace or bliss unless these are brought into experience. Books and Shaastra will not bestow peace, only Saadhanaa can give peace. The doubts will be cleared only if seen practically. So, Eknaath felt, "I have studied all these Shaastra, but they are of no use. What is the essence of all these Shaastra - to serve a Guru." and he deeply desired to serve a Guru. Lord Paandurang, in a dream, directed him to Janaardan Swaamee who was a great Mahaatmaa.

Janardan Swaamee looked after a fort which guarded the Deogarh. So en enemy could enter the city only after capturing the fort only. For this Deogarh's army was always prepared with arms. Janaardan Swaamee used to meditate daily for a few hours.

Eknaath served Janaardan Swaamee for twelve long years with one-pointedness. And how did he serve his Guru for all these twelve years? Without any expectation whatsoever. He would clean the place, keep all his Poojaa articles ready for him, maintain the accounts of his home, wash his clothes and so on. Day and night he attended on his Guru. Innumerable Saadhu visited his Guru.

Janaardan Swaamee taught Brahm Vidyaa to some, Raaj Yog to some, Shaastra to others. The Guru blessed each with a way of attaining liberation, but nothing diverted the attention of Eknaath whose sole desire was to serve the Guru in all ways. He had nothing to ask from his Guru. He did not demand his Guru to bestow him with Mantra Upadesh or teach him Shaastra or Vedaant Vichaar etc etc. His sole aim was his Guru's happiness. He did not even wish his Guru to take notice of his services. He served his Guru in this way for twelve long years.

Janaardan Swaamee felt guilty for not having given anything to this attendant devotee of his. He was wonderstruck that this young fellow had nothing to ask of him. So, he himself decided to bestow Darshan of his Upaasanaa Moorti, Lord Dattaatreya, on this selfless Eknaath. He asked Lord Dattaatreya to give Darshan to Eknaath when the latter returned from his morning bath in the river. The next day when Eknaath stepped out of the River Godaavaree, he found Lord Dattaatreya under the nearby tree. Since one should not be disrespectful to God he prostrated before this Lord. Lord Dattaatreya blessed him by placing His feet on Eknaath's head. Ekanath then returned home.

Here, at home Janaardan Swaamee was restless. He walked up and down awaiting Eknaath's return. He kept rehearsing as to how he should handle the stunned Eknaath. It was not going to be Darshan in a dream but a real one, just as one person sees another. Janaardan Swaamee thought, "Anyone who has Darshan of the Lord would swoon. Eknaath would be in a bliss, full of joy he would come running and narrate the Darshan breathlessly. I must calm him down." But Eknaath returned home and carried on with his work as usual. The Guru waited for Eknaath to come and describe the Darshan in an excited tone, but Eknaath did not. The surprised Janaardan Swaamee called his Upaasanaa Devtaa and asked him, "Did you not give Darshan to Ekanaath?"

Lord Dattaatreya said, "Yes, I did, just you had asked me I gave him Darshan as he returned from his bath in the river". The astounded Guru called the devotee. "How can you be so calm? Have you not had Darshan of Lord Dattaatreya this morning?" Eknaath simply replied, "I never desired this, only if I considered someone other than you as God should I feel ecstatic. Since I consider you as God there is no new Darshan of God to be had anywhere else. I never desired for it nor does this surprise me. I desire only you."

So great was his Guru Bhakti. Due to his Guru Bhakti Lord Paandurang (Krishn) Himself later served this Eknaath, in the form of a young man by name Kandya Kannaa for 36 years. Sant Eknaath was also a devotee of Dattaatreya. Dattaatreya met him and his Guru Janaardan Swaamee as a Malang (Muslim Faqeer).

Another Incident of His Guru Bhakti
Once when Janaardan Swaamee was in his meditation, a soldier came running and said that he wanted to see Janaardan Swaamee immediately. Eknaath asked him the purpose to see him as Janaardan Swaamee was not to be disturbed while in meditation. He said - "I want to see him as the enemy's force is gathering around the city. Eknaath did not know what to do, he did not want to disturb his Guru, but the situation was very grave. Quickly he thought over and rushed to the room where the armor was kept. he prayed to the Guru, wore the armor, again prayed to Guru and went to the battlefield. Seeing Janaardan Swaamee's armor, the army thought that he was Janaardan Swaamee and went to battlefield with him. They fought bravely under the leadership of Eknaath. They destroyed the enemy's army and came back to the fort. He immediately took Guru's armor, kept it at its place, wore his usual clothes and came outside as if nothing had happened.

Soon Janaardan Swaamee woke up from his meditation and heard the cries of victory of soldiers - "Janaardan Swaamee Kee Jaya". he could not understand why were they crying like this. Then he heard the story of winning the battle. He understood that it was his disciple Eknaath. he asked him - "How did you do it?" Eknaath replied softly - "Guru Jee, I prayed you and you did the rest."

Lord Vitthal (who is none other than Krishn himself) Himself descended in human form and served Sant Eknaath for 12 years as a disciple!

His Works
(1) On the advice of his Guru he wrote a commentary on Chatu-shlokee Bhaagvat in Maraathee verses. It had 1036 Ovyaa. Before him Dhyaaneshwar wrote a commentary on Sanskrit Geetaa in similar verse form (Ovyaa) - Bhaavaarth Deepikaa, popularly known as Dhyaaneshwaree about 230 years ago.
(2) Eknaath Bhaagvat - on the 11th Skandh of Bhaagvat Puraan - 18,800 Ovyaa
(3) Bhaavaarth Raamaayan - first 25,000 Ovyaa of
(4) Rukminee Swayamvar - 1,711 Ovyaa, based on 144 Shlok of Bhaagvat Puraan
(5) Hastaamalak - 764 Ovvyaa, based on 14 Shlok Sanskrit hymn with the same name by Shankaraachaarya
(6) Shukaashtak - 447 Ovyaa
(7) Swaatm Sukh - 510 Ovyaa
(8) Aanand Laharee - 154 Ovyaa
(9) 300 Bhaarood and 300 Abhang

His all works are in Maraathee language.

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/06
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on 03/05/13