Gadge Maharaj

(1876–1956) Modern ascetic teacher
and religious preceptor in the Varkari
Panth, a religious community centered
around the worship of the Hindu god
Vithoba at his temple at Pandharpur in
the modern state of Maharashtra.
Gadge Maharaj got his name from the
clay pot (gadge) that was his only possession, signifying his rejection of all
wealth and worldly entanglements.
Gadge had been born into a caste of
washermen, who are considered a low
status group since their everyday work
brings them in contact with other people’s soiled garments. In his teachings,
Gadge not only stresses the importance
of devotion to God—the hallmark of
the bhakti (devotional) movement—
but also advocates temperance, poverty,
and vegetarianism.