Dnyaneshwar, also known as Dnyandev or Mauli (1275–1296) was a 13th century Marathi saint, poet, philosopher and yogi of the Nath tradition, whose Dnyaneshwari (a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita) and Amrutanubhav are considered to be milestones in Marathi literature.
• Dnyaneshwar takes up the examination of “Being” or “Brahman” where he considers “Being” to be the substratum of thought enabling thought and cognition.
• Values propagated by Him: He considers humility; non–injury in action, thought and words; forbearance in the face of adversity; dispassion towards sensory pleasures; purity of heart and mind; love of solitude and devotion towards one’s Guru and God as virtues; and their corresponding moral opposites as vices.
- Hence, one can find Gandhian thoughts in consonance with Dnyaneshwari tradition.
• Views on Moral Order: Dnyaneshwar believes that divine order and moral order are one and the same and are inherent in the universe itself. He, therefore, recommends that all social institutions be protected and preserved in their totality.
• Views on Caste: For institution of caste, his approach becomes more humanitarian and he advocates spiritual egalitarianism.
• Some of his famous works: Dnyaneshwari or Bhavarthdipika, Amrutanubhava, Changdev Pasashti, Haripat and Abhangas