Jnaneshwar was a 13th C. (1275-1296) saint poet of Maharashtra, who was the founder of the 'Varkari' cult, devotees of Lord Vitthal. (Varkari literally meant a 'time keeper'. The cult propagated the ethics of universal God, purity, generosity and inward peace. A varkari had to lead a strict and disciplined life.) Jnaneshwar was also known as the apostle of Bhagavatadharma in Maharashtra. Born in Apegaon, a village on the banks of river Godavari near Paithan, Janeshwar belonged to the Nath Sampradaya. His legendary spiritual lineage is believed to be: Lord Shiva-Matsyendranath-Gorakshanath-Gahininath-Nivrittinath-Jnaneshwar. He was hence a rare combination of philosopher, poet and saint. The celebrated and monumental work, Jnaneshwari, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita in Marathi with about 10,000 stanzas in the Ovi metre, was the greatest contribution of Jnaneshwar. This was composed extempore, when he was barely 15 years old in 1290 at the sacred town of Nidhivasa and was written by his disciple Satchithananda. His other works include Amritanubhava, based on his own spiritual experience, Haripath, describing the importance of the name of Lord Hari in 28 abhangas, Naman, a hym in praise of the Lord in 108 Ovis, describing the significance of prayer and Changdev Prasasti, in 65 Ovis which were verses advising Chandeva, a Hathayogi. Jnaneshwar attained Sanjeevan Samadhi at a young age of 22, as he was meditating inside a cave at Alandi in 1296. Through his teachings, where he emphasized bhakthi-divine love, Jnaneshwar continues to live among his followers.