Dnyaneshwari facts for kids
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The Dnyaneshwari (also called Jnanesvari or Bhavartha Deepika) is a famous book from India. It is a detailed explanation of the Bhagavad Gita, a very important Hindu scripture.
This book was written by a saint and poet named Sant Dnyaneshwar. He wrote it in 1290 CE when he was just a teenager. Dnyaneshwar lived a short life, only 22 years.
The Dnyaneshwari is the oldest surviving book written in the Marathi language. It has inspired many other famous poets and saints, like Eknath and Tukaram. These poets were part of the Bhakti movement, which focused on loving devotion to God.
Contents
What is the Dnyaneshwari?
The Dnyaneshwari helps people understand the Bhagavad Gita. It explains the Gita's teachings from the Advaita Vedanta point of view. This is a branch of Hinduism that teaches about the oneness of the soul and God.
People admire the Dnyaneshwari for its deep ideas and beautiful writing style. It is considered a very valuable book for both its wisdom and its art.
When Was It Written?
Scholars believe the Dnyaneshwari was finished in 1290 CE. This date is confirmed by old writings that mention the Yadava king Ramadeva. The name of the person who copied the text and the year it was completed also help confirm the date.
Another saint, Namdev, who lived at the same time, also mentioned the Dnyaneshwari. This helps show that the book is very old and important.
How Is It Written?
The Dnyaneshwari follows the story and ideas of the Bhagavad Gita very closely. However, it is much longer. The Gita has about 700 verses, but the Dnyaneshwari has around 9,000 verses.
The book is written like a "song-sermon." It explains the Gita's ideas and also discusses many Hindu philosophies and beliefs from the 13th century. It mentions other important Hindu texts like the Vedas and Upanishads.
The Dnyaneshwari is written in a rhythmic style. This means it can be read aloud or chanted in a group. Each of its 9,000 verses is called an ovi. An ovi has four lines, and the first three lines often rhyme.
Importance of the Dnyaneshwari
The Dnyaneshwari is very important in Hindu traditions. It mentions many Hindu gods and goddesses from different groups, like Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism. It also includes older Vedic gods like Saraswati.
Many verses in the book end with the phrase "Jnanadeva says" or "Says Jnanesvara." This was a common way for poets of the Bhakti movement to sign their work. This style was also used in other famous texts, like the Guru Granth of Sikhism.
The Dnyaneshwari continues to be studied and loved by many people today. It is a key text for understanding Marathi culture and Hindu philosophy.
See also
- ज्ञानेश्वरी (Dnyaneshwari) text in Marathi Wikisource
- Dnyaneshwari
- Dnyaneshwar
