Santaji Jagnade

Shri Santaji Jagnade (1624–1688) was one of fourteen cymbal players employed by Shri Tukaram Maharaja, a prominent Marathi Sant. Jagnade recorded several of Tukaram's Abhangs. He belonged to the Teli caste of oil producers and is the only Saint from that caste. Jagnade was born and brought up in Sadumbare in the Maval tehsil in the Pune District. He was a Varkari, a devotee of Lord Vittala (or Vithobā), an incarnation of Lord Krishna, who in turn, is considered in Hinduism to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. A stamp commemorating Jagnade was released in February 2009 by the Indian Postal Service.

Sant Santaji Jagnade Maharaj was born in 1624 in Chakan village, near Debu, in Khed tehsil of Pune District, Maharashtra. He was born to a pious, dutiful and God fearing couple Shri Vithoba Pant Mathabai. Chakan was a famous market place. Santaji’s father Vithobapant Jagnade was engaged in the avocation of producing edible oil. Santaji grew up in a serene and blessed rural atmosphere. He also continued his ancestral business. As per the prevalent social custom of the times, he was married at the age of twelve to Yamuna and continued his business. But after marriage, he became disinterested in family life and materialistic pursuits and turned to spiritual solace through religious discourses. He took to Kirtans and Bhajans and decided to renounce all worldly pleasures to attain the sublime. Finally he left home abandoning his parents and wife.

In the company of Tukaram Maharaj, he began to write psalms, Santaji became a shadow of Tukaram Maharaj, a true spiritual companion in his religious voyage. Through his writing, he awakened the spiritual consciousness of his contemporaries. The people felt indebted to him for his devotional writings. Santaji’s Abhangs are glorified verses which illustrate his literary skills and talents.

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