Historical Period13c CE
13th-14th c. CE (1270-1350)
📷 Laxman Pralhad Mule, Picture Merchant, Pandharpur · Public domain · source
Deities
Namdev — The Marathi Saint Whose Songs Spread Across India
Namdev — Varkari Saint and Bhakti Poet of Maharashtra
Namdev — Varkari Saint and Bhakti Poet of Maharashtra
No primary scriptures are catalogued for this entry yet. If you know of scriptural references we have missed, please contribute them.
Namdev is unique among bhakti saints because his compositions are venerated in both Hindu and Sikh traditions. His shabads appear in the Guru Granth Sahib alongside those of Hindu saints and Sikh Gurus.
Born into a tailor (chhipa) caste in Maharashtra, Namdev faced discrimination but refused to accept caste restrictions on spiritual practice. He:
Guru Arjan included 16 of Namdev's shabads in the Guru Granth Sahib. These are:
| Shabad | Raag | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Akaal Moorat | Asa | God beyond time |
| Tero Kirtan Suna | - | Sing God's praises |
| Jina Keval Gati | - | Salvation through Naam |
Namdev is one of the original Warkaris whose palkhi (palanquin) joins the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur:
