Sri Narsinhadas Mehta

Narasimhadas Mehta / Narsinhadas Mehta / Narsinhdas Mehta / Narsinh Mehta / Narsi Mehta / Narsidas Mehta / Narsi Bhagat

Sri Narsinhadas Mehta (1414-1481) is a Vaishnava Kavi/Poet of Gujarat, considered as the first Poet of modern Gujarati Language. The main subject of his Poems is Sri Krsna Bhakti and he was famous for dancing which accompanied his recital of his songs – this dancing likely ? to have been similar to the recital and dancing, as is prevalent in the Maharashtriya Varkari Sampradaya. The topics of his Poems are the Dasama Skanda of the Bhagavata Purana, the Gita Govinda of Jayadeva, autobiographical, and poems on Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya.  He is the author of the poem “Vaishnava jana to”.



Chronological and Geographical Biography

The source of this presentation is the Introduction by Sivapriyananda for the book : "Devotional Songs of Narsi Mehta" (1985), translated by Svami Mahadevananda – which references all prominent books concerning the life of Sri Narsinhadas Mehta – including autobiographical poems.


Margashirsha Shukla Dvitiya 1409/1414 CE - Born at Talaja near Bhavnagar, Gujarat

Born in a Nagar Brahmana family at Vadnagar near Mehsana, Gujarat.

Grandfather Vishnudas and Father Krsnadas were Vaishnava in the Shankara Advaita Bhagavata Parampara.

1414-1428 childhood at Talaja, with parents and later with a uncle/cousin.

- Narsinh nu Gupha (caves) - several 2nd century (Buddhist caves, since abandoned) at Talaja, likely the hill resort of Sri Narsinhadas Mehta, otherwise later associated with him.

1428 - marriage to Manekabai

1428 (Chaitra) - Vrat at Sri Gopanath Shiva mandir at nearby Gopnath and darshan of Rasa dance of Sri Krsna and Gopi.

1428 – relocation to Junagadh (1428-1468)

1448 - Marriage of daughter Kunvarbai at Una

1450 – marriage of son Syamaldas at Vadnagar

1951,52 – demise of Manekabai, Syamaldas

1456 – Brahmana community complain to the Raja of Junagadh, Raja Rai Mandalik of Sri Narsinhadas Mehta mingling with lower castes and other false accusation. Sri Narsinhadas defended his position at the Sri Damodara mandir at the end of which the garland fell from the Srimurti

Places in Junagadh :

- Sri Narsinh Mehta Choro and Mandir
The site where Sri Narsinhadas Mehta would regularly perform/organize kirtan and pravachan. At present a there is a commemorative platform as well as a modern temple commemoration with an lifesize murti of Sri Narsinhadas Mehta.

- Sri Damodara mandir and Damodar Kunda at Girnar – daily visit, bath and Darshan by Narsinhadas Mehta


Circa 1467-1473 – repeated attacks on Junagadh by Sultan of Ahmedabad and departure of Sri Narsinhadas Mehta from Junagadh (1968). In 1473 his follower/patron Raja of Junagadh - Rai Mandalik forcibly converted to Islam.

1468 – 1481/1488 residence at Mangrol

1481/1488 – Mangrol, demise of Sri Narsinhadas Mehta, and cremation at “Narsinhadas nu Smashan”