Eknath's Patience

Eknath, who lived in the 16th century CE was one of the foremost saints of Maharashra who became immensely popular with commoners. His compositions are known as abhangs. These compositions deal with simple lessons of Vedanta and supremacy of Bhakti. "Bhakti is the root, dispassion is the flower snd illumination is the fruit" says one of his abhang. His edition of Jnanneswar's commentary on the Bhagawad-Gita is the first such work and is considered the most reliable.

A number of stories are in vogue about his saintly quality of immense patience. Once after Eknath took a holy dip in the river, a Mohammadan spat on his body. Eknath camly walked back to the river and took a bath again. The mischief monger spat on Eknath again, and without a word of anger, Eknath bathed again. The spitting and bathing went on over a hundred times, the story goes. Finally, the repentant scoundrel fell at the saint's feet and begged for pardon!

See Also:
• Sadhus & Swamis: The Holy Men of India