Changdev Maharaj, was a mystical yogi turned saint who is believed to have lived at the village of Vateshwar along the banks for Tapti river for 1400 years.^[1] As per the popular belief Changdev Maharaj is believed to have achieved Bhuta Siddhi (control over the classical elements) based on his yogic powers and used these powers to perform various super-natural acts.^[2] Even though Changdev Maharaj himself is believed to have had held godly status and followers, his current following is mostly amongst Varkari's due his association with Dnyaneshwar and Mutkabai. ^[3]

Contents 1 Present day remains 2 Dnyanadev and the flying wall 3 Muktai, the spiritual guide 4 References

[edit] Present day remains

Temples dedicated to Changdev, also commonly referenced in ancient text as Changa Deva or Changadeva or simply Changa, today are mostly found in the state of Maharastra. References to his yogic and tantric acts can be found in various literate related to yogic and tantric streams as well as buddhist folklore. The word Changa itself means good and is also name of a particular Shiva jyotirlinga and the deity Bhairava.^[4]

In present day, the village of [Changdev_(village)|Changdev) where Changdev Maharaj is believed to have lived for 1400 years, houses and old temple dedicated to Changdev Maharaj. Its believed that the temple is about 3000 years old. The monument is currently a ASI protected monument ^[5]

The present day Puntamba, a village along banks of Godavari river in Maharastra, is believed to be the 14th and the final resting place for Changdev Maharaj. The village has a mid seventeenth century temple which houses the samadhi of Changdev Maharaj. ^[3]

Narayanpur, a village to the south of Pune at the foot hills of Purandar fort is believed be the native village of Changdev. Its believed that this ancient village, then referred to as Pur during the Yadava Dynasty rule, was a prosperous town. In present, it houses a 700 plus year old a famous Narayan temple. The temple which is Hemadpanti style has incriptions on its wall which preach teachings of Changdev Maharaj.^[6][7]

Even though not a temple by itself, the masonry wall used by Dnyaneshwar as a ride to visit Changdev, is a sacred monument and worshipped by the Varkari's visiting the holy city of Alandi ^[8]

[edit] Dnyanadev and the flying wall

Changdev is most commonly known today due to his popular first encounter with Dnyaneshwar aka Dnyanadev. As the story goes, when the four siblings of Nivritti, Dnyanadev, Sopandev, Muktai achieved glory, Changdev Maharaj wanted to test them and hence sent them a blank note. When the siblings received this note, they laughed at this gesture and on Nivritti’s asking, Dnyaneshwar wrote 65 verses which were the quintessence of Vedanta on it. When the paper reached Changdev Maharaj he had difficulties understanding what was written and then decided to meet the siblings to show them his yogic powers. He decided to show off his powers to them by meeting them in person. For this he chooses to visit them riding on back of a Tiger, wielding a poisonous cobra as a whip. When siblings, then sitting on a masonry wall, saw the procession of Changdev Maharaj and thousands of his devotees walking toward their house, they decided to break his pride by humiliating him. They patted on the wall and it rose up to fly in air. They used an inanimate wall as a vehicle which amazed everyone present there. Changdev realized the greatness of these children and lost his pride. He became one of their disciples and overcame his pride and ego.^[9] These verses sent by Dnyaneshwar later became known as Changdev Pasashti (Pasast means 65 in Marathi) and is one of the holy scriptures amongst followers of Dnyaneshwar.

[edit] Muktai, the spiritual guide

Muktai, the sister of Dnyaneshwar, is believed to be the spiritual guide of Changdev Maharaj. As the legend goes, once Muktai and her brothers were sitting in the ashram when Changdev happened to pass by. Muktai was, of course fully clad, but she appeared to Changdev as unclad and at once he turned away. Muktai then told him that he was not perfect as he still had a complex of sex and shame, and did not see God in every being. These words of Muktai had great effect on him and he eradicated this weakness through intense sadhana. Changdev wished to make Dnyanadev his Guru, but Dnyanadev said that Muktai was the right spiritual guru instead of himself. From here on Changdev, took Muktai as his spiritual guide and many references to Muktai can be found in the Abhangs that he wrote.

[edit] References