Among the saints of the famous Varakavi Sampradaya founded by Gyanadeva, Eknath was one of the most popular ones. He was born in the year of 1533 at Paithan and as his parents passed way very early in his love, he could not receive much parental love. He got his first spiritual education from one of the devotees of Dattatreya, named Guru Janardana, at a very young age and he was unique as he represented a blend of Vedanta and Sufism. He was one of the most earnest `gurubhakta` and he wrote his hymns and various religious writings by the name of Eka-janardana that means `eka of Janardana`.

In his entire life, Eknath successfully propagated two forms of bhakti to the Saguna Brahma, as an end in itself and as a means. In general, the Advaitic tradition identifies with the latter, that is as a means, as the meditation of God with form does not lead to moksha (liberation) but only to Krama-mukti (gradual liberation). Eknath was also a very good and a prolific writer and he has written a number of books in his lifetime. The books like `Bhavartha Ramayana` and also numerous `Abhangas` and `Bharudas`, written by him have become quite popular among the masses. Eknath has popularized the Vedanta philosophy to a great extent, through his Bhagavata and he also wonderfully explains the nine traditional limbs of the `Bhakti marga` with examples from various saints.