Jnaneshwar : The Founder of the Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra (Comic Book)

Amar Chitra Katha is a collection of illustrated classics that retell stories from Indian mythology, history, folktale and legend through the fascinating medium of comics. Over 430 stories from all over India have been told in this series that has been endorsed by educationists and recommended by teachers the world over.

Through a masterful blend of commentary, dialogue and illustration, Amar Chitra Katha presents complex historical facts and intricate mythology in a format that would appeal to children. They not only entertain, but also provide a fitting introduction to the cultural heritage of India. In a country so vast and varied, the series also serves as a medium for national integration, by introducing young readers to the rich cultural diversity of the country and highlighting the achievements of local heroes.

Amar Chitra Katha comics are like family heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation.

Back of the Book

Jnaneshwar was the founder of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra, and all subsequent poet-saints of Maharashtra looked up to him for inspiration.

Jnaneshwar explained the Gita for the first time in Marathi and thus brought it to the common man who had no knowledge of Sanskrit. He wrote in the Jnaneshwari, (his commentary on the Gita): "Let the city of the Marathi language be enriched with spiritual knowledge so that the merchandise of happiness will be cheap and customers in this market can take as much happiness as they want." With this motive he explained the Gita in a simple way, giving examples from day-to-day life. It was not his intention to establish a sect. He wanted only to share the joy of the Gita with the masses. "i want to fill the whole world with divine joy", he wrote. And he did. His Jnaneshwari is read and reread to this day, throughout Maharashtra.

Besides the Jnaneshwari, the other works of Jnaneshwar include Anubhavamrita, Changdev Pasashti, and over a thousand verses known as "Abhangas."

With his mission accomplished, Jnaneshwar chose to withdraw from the world at the tender age of twenty-one. He entered SAMADHI at Alandi in the year 1297 A.D. Namdev in his Jnanadevachi Adi has recorded the events in the life of his spiritual preceptor in great detail.