Introduction

In reply to Changdeva

Translation of sixty-five verses written in Marathi by Jnaneswara (1275-1296), known as Changdeva Pasashti.

Jnaneswara, younger brother of Nivruttinath, is regarded as the great spiritual leader of Varkari sect in Maharashtra that unified the Vedantic traditions of salvation through knowledge and worshipful works with the native Indian Natha tradition of salvation through devotion. The Nathas were spiritual masters who had achieved self-realization and passed it on to their successors in an unbroken chain. Jnaneswara’s elder brother Nivruttinath was one such master in the Natha sect. He initiated Jnaneswara into the mystical practices of that sect. Their two younger siblings, brother Sopandev and sister Muktabai were also drawn into mysticism at a young age, following the death (by suicide) of both the parents. The four siblings wandered from place to place, as they were excommunicated, until at Paithan, Jnaneswara demonstrated his mastery of the Vedas before an assembly of pundits in a miraculous manner. His recital of the sacred hymns influenced a buffalo nearby, who reportedly joined in the chants. Their travails having thus ended, Jnaneswara on the directive of his mentor, Nivruttinath, started his exposition on the Bhagavad-Gita. During their wanderings the four had received support and help from the downtrodden castes. Jnaneswara carried on his expositions in a language they could understand. His fame as a realized soul possessing miraculous powers spread far and wide.

It reached a hathayogi of great repute, known as Changdeva. Changdeva had extended his life span by the practice of hathayoga, in which physical postures and practices were supposed to dissolve the body-consciousness of the mind. Changdeva had tamed a tiger and used it as the beast of travel. When he heard about Jnaneswara, he scoffed at his miraculous powers. He sent him a blank paper as a message, signifying among other things that Jnaneswara was still green behind ears and blank in wits. In reply Jnaneswara composed sixty-five verses, put them to the blank paper and sent it back to Changdeva. When he read the verses, he was overcome with guilt of having insulted a great soul and immediately started for Alandi riding his tiger. When the news of his arrival in Alandi reached Jnaneswara, he moved to welcome Changdeva. Little did Jnaneswara realize that the wall, on which he was perched, had started moving. Seeing this spectacle, Changdeva got down, prostrated before the young boy, Jnaneswara and surrendered his ego completely. The beauty of the verses lies in the tender quality of affection with which Jnaneswara wins over the arrogance of the hathayogi.

I am thankful to my friend, Shirish Kulkarni, who suggested that I translate this work of Sant Jnaneswara. This is the third work of translation, following that of Haripaath (To the Being) and Taatiche Abhang (Verses to the Brother – Open the Door). It is an occasion of great joy for me. But for Shirish, I may never have turned to this important work of Jnaneswara, which reaches the pinnacle of poetry and philosophy.