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Composing…
नरसिंह मेहता
1414–1480 CE (approximate) · Junagadh, Gujarat
Tradition: Krishna-bhakti
Krishna as the supreme; identification of the true Vaishnava as one who feels others' pain.
Brahmin born in Talaja; his life is full of legends — Krishna himself reportedly came to attend Narsinh's daughter's wedding when he had no resources; severe persecution by orthodox society he endured with humility.
Founder of Gujarati bhakti literature; his bhajan 'Vaishnav Jana To' became the moral anthem of Gandhi's freedom movement.
Narsinh Mehta stands within the lineage of Krishna-bhakti. Understanding a saint requires understanding the school of thought, the lineage of teachers, and the historical context that shaped them. The Krishna-bhakti tradition has shaped Hindu spiritual life through its philosophical foundations, its liturgy, its scriptures, and the institutions its founding ācāryas built and sustained across generations.
Saints in this tradition are not abstract figures from history — they are the living chain through which the tradition transmits itself. To read Narsinh Mehta correctly is to read both the writings (where they survive) and the institutions they founded, the disciples they taught, and the practices they reinterpreted. Where written works are listed above, they remain the primary source for studying their thought; for the practical transmission, one studies under a teacher of the same lineage.
The dates and biographical details preserved in tradition often differ from those accepted by modern academic historians. Where the difference matters for interpretation, both views are noted; otherwise the traditional account is given with sources cited.
Awaiting scholar verification. If you spot a factual error in dates, lineage, or teaching, please write to us.