Visoba Khechara

Visoba Khechara (unknown - 1309 CE), spelled also as Visoba Khechar or Visoba Khecar, was the yogi-guru of the Varkari poet-saint Namdev (c.1270-1350) of Maharashtra, India. Visoba was a disciple of the Varkari poet-saint Jñāneśvar (c. 1275-1296). He had linkages with the Varkari tradition as well as the Nath tradition of Maharashtra. Though a staunch Shaiva, Visoba has composed verses in praise of the god Vithoba, the patron deity of the Varkari faith. He has also composed a metaphysical treatise called the Shatsthala.

Etymology The name Visoba is derived from the word viṣṇein, which means to relax and relates to the meeting of Visoba with Namdev. The latter part of the name Khechara (lit. "one who is moving in air") relates him being a Siddha, a Tantric master possessing magical powers and his linkage to the Nath tradition of Maharashtra. as the name Dnyaneshwar and Muktai called him in contempt, when Visoba refused to believe in their powers. Visoba had refused to acknowledge Jñāneśvar and Muktabai, but after knowing their spiritual greatness he became their disciple.

Teachings and literary works Visoba denounced idol-worship and advises Namdev to not worship God as a stone image. He says:

Visoba wrote abhangs in praise of the god Vithoba, the patron-deity of the Varkari tradition. The Jñāndev Gātha also mentions Khechara as playing at the Gopal-kala festival in the Pandharpur where Vithoba's chief temple is located along with the brothers Jñāneśvar, Nivruttinath and Sopan. This also suggests Visoba being a devotee of Vithoba.