The great Saint of Maharashtra - Sant Eknath Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Eknath Maharaj!

Chapter – 3

Janardan Swamiji was lived during the period of 1504 – 1575, he was  a great scholar, Marathi Saint of Varkari Sampradaya and a great devotee of  Lord Dhaththathreya.   He was born in a pious Brahmin family in  Chalisgaon, Maharashtra.  He was initiated to Sanyasa by illustrious Nrisimha Bharathi/Akkalkot Swami Samarththa Maharaj, an incarnation of Lord Dhaththathreya.   Swamiji was too pleased with the sincerity and devotion of Eknath.  One day he took him to the hills of Devagiri and advised him to conduct Tapasya.  The hill was the abode of Maharishi Dhaththathreya, who used to appear in different forms, Swami Janardan advised “ If you find something alarming, nothing to worry, it is the abode of Lord Dhaththathreya, you have to contemplate upon him and eulogizes his glories.” 

There is Sulabhaparvath also known as Soorbhanjan near Devgiri, it was the place where Sage Markandeya used to take penance, there is a pond called Surya Kund in the hills.  Eknath Maharaj takes a holy dip in this Kund on regular basis and conducts meditation on the sacred syllables he has received as mantra Deeksha from Janardan Swamiji while doing so, there is a serpent used to fasten his body.   Sant Eknath had the Dharshan of Lord Krishna in Sulabhaparvath, after concluding Tapasya he returned to Swamiji Janardan and described all those incidents that took place while he was conducting Tapasya in Sulabhaparvath.  Janardan Swamiji advised to conduct spiritual tour across the lands and propagate the righteousness of Lord Dhaththathreya.