SantNirmal Das was one of the foremost disciples of Sant Eknath, a great Varkari Saint and a staunch devotee of Lord Panduranga of Pandharpur. Nirmal Das has shined well in the spiritual path with the blessings of his Guru Eknath, he assisted Eknath in his spiritual activities, and helped him a lot in his literary works, especially when Eknath wrote the popular Eknathi Bhagavatha.
Sant Nirmal Das was born in a pious Brahmin family at Paithan, which is believed to be the present day Maharashtra, during 16th century AD. His father was an accountant, and he looked after the accounts of the rich Zamindars at Maharashtra.His father wanted to place Eknathin the accounts profession, but due to his spiritual thirst, young Nirmal Das joined as a disciple with Sant Eknath, and began to develop more and more “KRISHNA BHAKTI”, and also recommended his friends to enter in the spiritual path. This made his father to develop anger with him, and due to that, young Nirmal Das has left his home, and stayed permanently in the house of Sant Eknath, he had pleasingly served his Guru as a humble servant, and began to follow the foot-steps of his Guru.When Nirmal das lived in his Guru’s home at Paithan, his friend and another disciple of Eknath was also sincerely served his Guru, who was called by the name Shrikhandiya and he was none other than our holy god Krishna.
Within a few kilo meters far away from the Samadhi of his Guru Eknath, which situated at Maharashtra, nearby the banks of the Godavari River, the Samadhi of Nirmal Das is also located. Annual Celebrations are also held during March month.Similar to his Guru Sant Eknath, Nirmal Das also wrote few divine works, which include, “My everlasting memories of my friend and Lord Shrikhandiya”, “My pleasant journey with my divine Guru, Sri EknathMaharaj”, “My worshipful god Panduranga” and “Panduranga Mahatmyam”.
Nirmal Das also wrote lot of bhakti songs on Lord Panduranga, which he used to sing in the temples of Krishna, and those songs were highly praised by his Guru Eknath, by the learned scholars and by the devotees of Lord Panduranga.
“JAI SRI PANDURANGA NAMO NAMAH”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR