on Bhagavad Gita, Leela Charitra and Sutrapatha; epics narrating stories from the life of Shri Krishna; various
reference works
viz. lexicons, chronicles, biographies, itineraries and genealogies. Mahanubhava Marathi literature covered various literary
forms like anecdotes, allegories, ballads, prayers, hymns, verses as well as chants. Mahanubhava writers
wrote grammatical and etymological works related to the Old Marathi language. They also wrote many treatise based on
the Puranas, that are deemed useful to explain the philosophy of Mahanubhava Sampradaya. The Mahanubhava were the earli-
est writers to use Marathi as a literary language. Mahanubhavas can be called as the pioneers of Marathi prose; they introduced
many prose forms in Marathi for the first time. Prose literature in Old Marathi was almost exclusively composed by the Ma-
hanubhava writers. The Mahanubhavas have contributed enormously to the Old Marathi literature.[5] Purest form of Marathi lan-
guage can be seen everywhere in the Mahanubhava literature. Marathi is the liturgical language for Mahanubhavas. Non-
Marathi speaking Mahanubhavas also read Sutras in Marathi and chant Marathi prayers.
Leela Charitra (Lilacharitra) is thought to be one of the earliest biographies written in Marathi language. The Lilacharaitra is the
first scripture of Mahanubhava Sampradaya, it was composed by Mhaimbhat. Mhaimbhat's second important literacy creation
was Shri Govindaprabhucharitra or Ruddhipurcharitra, a biography of Swami's guru, Shri Govinda Prabhu, in the form of 325
deeds. This was probably written in 1288, soon after the death of Shri Prabhu.
Apart from Lilacharitra, Keshavaraja Suri (Keshiraja Vyasa) also known as Kesobas, collected Chakradhara's aphoristic
Vachana or actually spoken words, known as Siddhanta Sutrapatha. Keshavaraja Suri translated the "deeds" from Lilachari-
tra into Sanskrit in his work called Ratnamala. His another work is Drushtantapatha which was composed in 1280 CE, similarly
he has also written a Sanskrit version of it known as Drushtantastotram. Nagadevacharya as the first chief acharya of Sampra-
daya, encouraged many of his disciples and companions to compose treatise on the teachings of Sarvajna Chakradhara. mem-
oirs of Nagadeva were compiled by Narendra, Malobas and Parasrambas in 1312 CE, they are known as Smrutisthala. Baidev-
abas wrote Pujavasara which describes the daily routine of Chakradhara.
In this manner, the seven works have been written, which are known as Sati Grantha and they are accepted by the follower of
the sect. These works and their writers are:
1. Narendra : Rukminiswayamvara (1292 CE)
2. Bhāskarabhatta Borikar : Shishupalavadha (1312 CE)
3. Bhāskarabhatta Borikar : Uddhavagita (1313 CE)
4. Damodara Pandita : Vachhaharana (1316 CE)
5. Ravalobas : Sahyadrivarnana (1353 CE)
6. Narobas Bahahaliye : Ruddhipurvarnana (1418 CE)
7. Vishwanatha Balapurkar : Jnanaprabodha (1418 CE).
Narendra and his brothers, Sala and Nrusinha were the court poets of Ramadevarao Yadava.[9] Damodara Pandita and
Bhaskarabhatta Borikar (Kavishwarabas) were one of the earliest Mahanubhava poets. Mahadamba (also known as Ma-
hadaisa) was the leading poetess of Sampradaya and she is considered as first known poetess in Marathi language of the 13th
century. Mahanubhava poetry is rich of various styles and metres. Many Mahanubhava poets have composed their works in
Sanskrit as well.
During the later period, Hayagrivacharya wrote Gadyaraja based on the 'Dashama Skandha' of Bhagavata. Pandita Bhishma-
muni wrote the oldest available grammar of Old Marathi language known as Panchavartika in 14th century. Nyayabas
wrote Hetusthala (purpose of the deeds) on Lilacharitra and Bhishmacharya Vaindeshkar wrote Niruktashesha describing
Prasanga Mahatmya in Lilacharitra during the second half of 14th century. Itineraries like Sthanapothi and Tirthamalika were
composed between 14th and 15th centuries. A Gujarati acharya called Gurjara Shivabas compiled 3 commentaries on Sid-
dhanta Sutrapatha during 15th century; their names are Acharasthala, Vicharasthala and Lakshanasthala. He also wrote Ma-
havakyaprameya and Thorli Prasadaseva. Songobas (Sangapala), nephew of Gurjara Shivabas wrote Anvayasthala describing
the history of Mahanubhava tradition till his era with the help of Siddhante Haribas. Medieval Mahanubhava writers composed
many prose works and philosophical texts in Marathi language. Chalhana, one of the most prominent Mahanubhava writers of
15th century wrote the masterpieces like Sattvanuvada, Jnanaprakasha and Shastrasambodhini Tika. His desciple Nrusinha
Pandita wrote Sanketagita. Anantamuni Karanjkar aka Aemuni, who was from Kavishwar Amnaya (lineage) composed most cel-
ebrated Vruddhachara (reminiscences) of Sampradaya. Further, many Mahanubhava philosophers wrote commentaries on Sid-
dhanta Sutrapatha like Vishwanathabas Bidkar wrote Acharaband, Avadhutamuni Vaindeshkar wrote Vicharaband and Dat-
taraja Marathe wrote Lakshanaband.
Krushnamuni Dimbha was the prominent Mahanubhava poet of 16th century. He wrote Phaltan Mahatmya, which describes the
biography of Chakrapani Prabhu. His other works include Sadhanamrutasotra and Bhagvadgita Mahatmya. He also composed
several verses praising the Panchakrishnas in various metres. Chakrapani Vyasa wrote Drushtantasthala and Nityadini Lilasto-
tra during late 16th century. He was a Saraswat Brahmin from Rajasthan, he took initiation from an acharya of Bidkar Amnaya
and then settled at Ruddhipur. Other important poets of the 16th century were Lakshadhira, Murarimalla, Navarasa Narayana
and Elhana. Lakshadhira's works are Jnanadarpana, Jnanamartanda and Maharashtra Kavyadipika. His Maharashtra
Kavyadipika is a monumental work. It describes various poetic metres of Marathi and types of Ovi, the most prevalent metre in
Marathi. Murarimalla wrote Darshanaprakasha. Navarasa Narayana composed Mahabharata in Marathi. But unfortunately, only
one chapter of his work is available today. Elhana's works include Shrikrushna Ashta Swayamvara (Athai Sainvare) and Bal-
akrida. Ashta Swayamvara describes the episodes of eight marriages in the life of Shri Krishna and Balakrida describes about
childhood pranks of his life. A Muslim acharya named Shahmuni wrote a treatise called Siddhantabodha in 18th century for elu-
cidating the principles of Mahanubhava philosophy.[10]
Mahanubhava writers also composed many works in Hindi, Punjabi and Gujarati languages. Nagraj Vyas, Vidhichandra Sharma
and Gaurswami are some of the important Mahanubhava writers of North India during the medieval age. Hariraj Mahatma
'Musafir', Chakradhari Bezar, Gopirajbaba Mahanubhav and Mukundraj Mahanubhav etc. were prolific North Indian Mahanub-
hava writers during British era.
Mahanubhavas created many code-scripts like 'Sakala Lipi', 'Sundari Lipi', 'Shunya Lipi', 'Aankapallavi Lipi' etc. to protect and
preserve their literature.
Mahanubhava poets have written numerous prayers and psalms devoted to the Pancha Krishna Avatara (5 incarnations) in
Marathi, Sanskrit and other languages.
History[edit]
Mahanubhava doctrine originated during the late 12th century. Chakradhara was the first preceptor who organized the separate
denomination called Mahanubhava on the basis of its doctrine.[11]
Nagadevacharya systematized the tradition of disciples in Mahanubhava Sampradaya after Chakradhara. He initiated several
disciples to upbuild the sampradya. During the period of Nagadeva, many followers joined the Sampradaya.[4]
Acharya Munivyasa established many temples and shrines of Mahanubhava Sampradaya in Maharashtra during the early 15th
century. Munivyasa was originally a Veerashaiva from Telangana, his original name was Kamalakara Ayachita Kothi. He left his
former faith, entered in Mahanubhava Sampradaya and became disciple of Tapasvini Mhalaisa from Kumar Amnaya. It's
recorded in texts like Kumar Vansaval by Raghava Kavi and Paithancha Vruddhachara that Bahmani Sultan Ahmed Shah
Wali provided financial support to Munivyasa for constructing the shrines.[12]
Mahanubhava Sampradaya has remained a flourishing religious sect in Maharashtra till date. It has millions of followers in Ma-
harashtra, perticularly in Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh regions.
Mahanubhava Pantha followers worship Lord Krishna and other 4 gods namely Dattatreya, Chakrapani, Govinda Prabhu and
Sarvajna Shri Chakradhara.
