Explanation: Sant Eknath was a significant figure in the Bhakti movement, which was a religious and social reform movement that emerged in medieval India. The Bhakti movement emphasized the importance of personal devotion (Bhakti) to God as a means to achieve spiritual enlightenment and union with the divine. This movement was a reaction against the rigid caste system and the complex rituals of traditional Hinduism, advocating for a more direct and personal relationship with God.
Sant Eknath, who lived in the 16th century, was one of the prominent saints of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra. He was a disciple of another great Maratha saint, Dnyaneshwar, and continued his legacy of promoting Bhakti as the path to God. Eknath's teachings were deeply rooted in the belief that devotion to God, through love and surrender, was the most effective way to attain spiritual liberation.
Eknath's contributions to the Bhakti movement include his writings, such as the "Eknathi Bhagavata," which is a Marathi translation and commentary on the Bhagavata Purana. In this work, he emphasized the importance of devotion and the love of God as the central theme. He also composed numerous abhangs (devotional songs) that expressed his deep devotion and love for God, which continue to be sung and revered in Maharashtra.
The Bhakti movement, as preached by Sant Eknath, was not just a religious movement but also a social reform movement. It aimed to break down the barriers of caste and creed, promoting the idea that everyone, regardless of their social status, could achieve spiritual enlightenment through devotion to God. This inclusive approach made the Bhakti movement particularly appealing to the common people, who were often marginalized by the rigid social structures of the time.
In summary, Sant Eknath's teachings and writings were centered around the concept of Bhaktimarg, or the path of devotion, as the way to reach God. This is why the statement that Sant Eknath preached the way to reach God was through devotion-Bhaktimarg is true. His contributions to the Bhakti movement have had a lasting impact on the religious and cultural landscape of Maharashtra, and his teachings continue to inspire devotion and spiritual practice among his followers.