Saint Dnyaneshwar, the saint-poet lived during the 13th century AD and belonged to the great line of the Nathas, who like the Alrvars in Tamil Nadu and the Siddhas in the Lingayats of Karnataka, laid the foundation of mysticism in Maharashtra. He wrote the 'Dnyaneshwari' (a commentary in simple Marathi on the Bhagwad Geeta) containing 9033 stanzas at the age of 15 years. Through this outstanding work he interpreted the philosophy of the Geeta, in the popular language of common people and sought to reform society. He preached an ideology of looking towards welfare of entire man-kind, irrespective of caste, creed, nation and race. He advocated discarding rituals and preached that the ideology of life is Bhakti or the realization of divine love in this very life. The philosophy of Saint Dnyaneshwar is the foundation on which the Bhakti Cult movement of Maharashtra rests. He advocated ‘Chidvilasvad’ or ‘Sphoortivad’ - the doctrine that this whole world is illuminated with His light. One’s work or profession itself became an act of worship, under the influence of this doctrine, among all castes and creeds elevating the lives of the downtrodden and the outcastes.
Though his interpretation of Geeta is his most famous work he is also credited with a number of other works, such as 'AMRUTANUBHAV', 'CHANGDEV PASASHTI', 'BHANGAS', 'HARIPATH'. All his classical works have been translated into various international languages including English, French and Spanish.
The commemorative postage stamp in honour of Saint Dnyaneshwar, has been designed by I.S.P. Nashik, on the basis of artwork provided by Shree Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan Committee.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India