Changdev Maharaj

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Changdev Maharaj
The siblings Muktabai, Sopan, Dnyaneshwar and Nivruttinath seated on the moving wall, Changdev seated on a tiger. In the centre, Changdev bows to Dnyaneshwar
Personal
ReligionHinduism
HonorsMaharaj in Marathi

Changdev Maharaj (also commonly referenced in ancient texts as Changa Deva, Changadeva, or simply Changa) was a

Muktabai.[3]

Present day remains

Temples dedicated to Changdev Maharaj are today mostly found in the state of Maharashtra. 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 the name of a particular Shiva Jyotirlinga and the deity Bhairava.[4]

In the present day, the village of

ASI protected monument.[5]

The present day Puntamba, a village along the banks of the Godavari River in Maharashtra, is believed to be the 14th and final resting place for Changdev Maharaj. The village has a mid-17th-century temple which houses the samadhi of Changdev Maharaj.[3]

Yadava Dynasty's rule, was a prosperous town. At present, it houses a 700+ year-old Narayan temple. The temple, which is Hemadpanti style, has inscriptions 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 steed to visit Changdev (see below) is a sacred monument and is worshipped by the Varkaris visiting the holy city of Alandi.[8]

Dnyanadev and the flying wall

Changdev is most commonly known today due to his popular first encounter with

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 the 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 difficulty understanding what was written, and decided to meet the siblings to show them his yogic powers in person. For this visit he chose to ride on back of a tiger, wielding a poisonous cobra as a whip. When the 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 the air. This use of an inanimate wall as a vehicle amazed everyone present. Changdev realized the greatness of these children. 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 are one of the holy scriptures amongst followers of Dnyaneshwar.

Muktai, the spiritual guide

sadhana. Changdev wished to make Dnyanadev his guru, but Dnyanadev said that Muktai was the right spiritual guru instead of himself. From this point on, Changdev took Muktai as his spiritual guide, and many references to Muktai can be found in the Abhangs
that he wrote.

Legends associated with Changdev Maharaj

    • Changdev Baba followed the path of Non-Duality in the Nath-Panth order. He followed Lord Adinath (who is said to be an incarnation of Lord Para Shiva).
    • Changdev Maharaj was a Mahayogi who lived in his mortal coil for 1400 years. He had complete knowledge of and control over all the five elements (water, air, fire, earth, and ether).
    • By his yogic powers, he gathered light and formed a real Jyotirlinga which he worshiped as Jyotir Shiva. He was also an occultist and used to worship Mahabhairav in the Jyotir Shiva Linga manifested by him.
    • By his yogic powers, he resurrected many dead people back to life.


References

  1. ^ "Gazetteers Of The Bombay Presidency - Ahmadnagar". Government Central Press. Retrieved 2009-01-22..
  2. ^ Lives of Saints. Retrieved 2009-01-22..
  3. ^ a b "The Gazetteers Department - AHMADNAGAR". Government Central Press. Archived from the original on 2009-04-10. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  4. .
  5. ^ "List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of Aurangabad - Archaeological Survey of India". Archived from the original on 2017-09-05. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  6. .
  7. ^ "Narayanpur ( Old Temple of Lord Datta )". Bhor Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  8. ^ "Gazetteers Of The Bombay Presidency - Poona". Government Central Press. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  9. .