Saint Narhari Sonar was the first Shaiva devotee of the Varkari sect. However, once he realized that Shiva and Vitthal are one and the same, he changed his life’s path to Vitthal. His lineage is stated as Ramchandra-Krishnadas-Hariprasad-Mukundraj-Murari-Achyut and Narhari Narayan. He was born in Pandharpur on Shravana Shukla 13, in the year 1193 CE, approximately in 1115. “Pardhavi Nama Samvatsare Shake Eleven Hundred Fifteen.” Shravana month Shukla Paksha Trayodashi. Narhari was born on a Wednesday morning during the Anuradha Nakshatra. Saint Narhari Sonar’s birth anniversary falls on Shravana Shukla Trayodashi and his death anniversary on Magha Tritiya. Narhari’s wife’s name was Ganga Mangalvedhya, daughter of Shripati Potdar (Vedpathak) of Brahmapuri village, and their sons were Narayan and Mallinath. His father’s name was Achyutrao and his mother’s name was Savitri Bai. He was given the surname Naik, Potdar (this surname is derived from the South Indian word Pattar, thus it is a universal title for goldsmiths, and initially, the goldsmith community had no branches. When the community moved elsewhere for trade, they changed their lifestyle, residence, and titles to Brahmin – Panchal and Davagna, Kshatriya – Lad and Ayyar).
At that time, his craftsmanship was very famous. He had established a good business in Pandharpur due to his skill. Saint Narhari Sonar was a renowned devotee of Shiva. The tradition of Shiv Bhakti prevailed in his home. His devotion in Pandharpur was widely discussed. He worshipped Shiva daily, offering bel leaves to the Jyotirlinga every morning. Being a staunch Shiva devotee, he had little faith in other gods, which angered some people.
In Pandharpur, the beloved saint of Lord Vitthal, Shri Namdev, conducted daily kirtans. All the villagers attended, but Narhari never did. The reason was that Saint Namdev was a devotee of Shri Krishna. Many devotees tried to explain to him that God is one, only differing in name and form, but Narhari did not accept this. One day, Lord Shiva and Vitthal decided to enlighten Narhari about the oneness of Shiva and Krishna. They resolved to open their devotee’s eyes of wisdom.
Once, he made a gold chain for a Vitthal devotee merchant. He went to the temple and placed the gold chain around Vitthal’s waist, but the chain was too long. The merchant sent his servant to Narhari Sonar to measure the chain correctly. Narhari measured the chain accordingly. However, when the chain was placed on Vitthal again, the measurement had increased, confusing Narhari Sonar. Puzzled by the discrepancy despite accurate measurements, he finally went to the temple himself, blindfolded, to measure the chain on Vitthal’s idol. As he began wrapping the gold chain around Vitthal’s waist, he felt a tiger skin under his hands. When his hands reached the neck, he felt the rest of the snake around his neck. Narhari Sonar immediately removed his blindfold and saw Vitthal’s idol before him. He blindfolded himself again and found the same. This left him very confused. Finally, the Lord himself appeared before him and revealed that Pandurang Parameshwar is Lord Shankar. Shiva and Vishnu are not different but one, and all gods are encompassed in Vitthal. After this realization, he devoted himself to Vitthal and said, “Lord, I am your goldsmith.”
It is said that Narhari Maharaj was born to resolve the Hari-Har dispute. According to his family lineage, Ramchandra Sadashiv Sonar (the great sage) was one of his ancestors. Saint Narhari Sonar’s original surname was Mahamuni, gotra Sanatan, branch Yajurveda Vishwabrahmin, and his descendants Mahamuni performed his memorial worship. Since Saint Narhari was a hereditary goldsmith, his surname later became Sonar. His descendants, originally from Paithan, were granted the title of Naik at Devgiri. Ramchandra came to Pandharpur to escape from robbers.
