Namdev

Namdev, also spelled Namdeo or Nāmadeva, was a Marathi saint-poet of the Bhakti movement who is revered in Hinduism and Sikhism. He is a central figure of the Varkari tradition in Maharashtra and is best known for devotional poetry devoted to Vitthala (Vithoba), the form of Krishna worshipped at Pandharpur.

Tradition places Namdev in the Deccan region of present-day Maharashtra, where he is believed to have lived in the 13th and 14th centuries. He came from a family traditionally associated with weaving and led a life marked by devotion, travel, and outreach to ordinary people. Namdev’s abhangas—short, lyrical devotional songs—praise a personal, accessible God and emphasize humility, social equality, and surrender to the divine will. His language is plain and direct, which helped his teachings reach a broad audience.

Namdev’s hymns are valued as foundational works of Marathi devotional literature and have exerted a lasting influence on later saints in Maharashtra. In Sikhism, sixty-one hymns attributed to Namdev are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, underscoring his cross-religious influence and the recognition of his devotional approach within Sikh scripture.

Legacy and influence of Namdev endure in multiple traditions. His poetry remains central to the Pandharpur worship and the broader Varkari tradition, and his hymns continue to be studied and recited as part of Hindu devotional practice. In Sikhism, his bani is cited as part of the Guru Granth Sahib, illustrating the shared heritage of devotion across faiths.