Ninth Peethadhish
P. P. Swami Shri Govindnath Maharaj
(First) (1722–1812)
Born in the lineage of Sant Moraya Gosavi in Chinchwad, Pune, Swami Shri Govindnath Maharaj had his first divine encounter with Swami Shri Gopalnath Maharaj at the Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur. Both were guided to meet—Shri Govindnath by Lord Dattatreya and Shri Gopalnath by his Guru, Shri Ranganath Maharaj. "Govind, born in the Chinchwadkar lineage, Remains devoted to Ranganath’s words, A great Vaishnav and an ornament of the lineage."
At Triputi, his Guru performed the Yoga Pattabhisheka (spiritual coronation), marking him as the next Peethadheeshwar. Dedicated to spreading the message of Dharma, he traveled extensively across India.
During one such pilgrimage, Lord Dattatreya revealed to him the identity of the next Peethadheeshwar, Swami Shri Devnath Maharaj, instructing him to initiate him into the lineage.
Swami Shri Govindnath Maharaj also made significant contributions to spiritual literature. His works, including Swanandi, Nijanandi, and the profound Vitthal Vijay, continue to guide seekers. He attained Samadhi in 1812 at Shri Kshetra Burhanpur.
