Gyaneshwari, often called Jnaneshwari, brings the Bhagavad Gita to life in medieval Marathi verse. Penned by Sant Jnaneshwar (also known as Jnanadeva) around 1290 CE, this bhakti commentary strikes a chord by weaving deep Advaita philosophy with heartfelt devotion.

Rather than unpacking complex doctrines in dry scholastic language, the text sparkles with poetic flair—each shloka unfurls like a hymn, making lofty concepts feel as familiar as an old friend’s advice. Jnaneshwar’s gift lay in translating Sanskrit mysticism into the living, breathing vernacular of his time, breaking down barriers so that seekers from every walk of life could join the conversation.

Steeped in the Virashaiva and Varkari traditions of Maharashtra, Gyaneshwari champions the idea that realizing the Self and surrendering to the Divine are two sides of the same coin. By insisting that true knowledge blooms from a heart steeped in love, it flips the script on purely intellectual study. A century and more before global interest in local languages became a modern buzzword, this work proved vernacular scholarship could stand shoulder to shoulder with the classical.

Even today, students and spiritual aspirants pore over its verses—whether in a college classroom or amid online study groups popping up on platforms like Clubhouse. When the next Diwali brings families together, someone might well read a snippet aloud, reminding everyone that genuine wisdom isn’t locked away in ivory towers but lives in the rhythms of everyday speech.