Namdev was a Marathi Hindu poet and saint who lived in Maharashtra, India, during the Varkari tradition of Hinduism. He was a devotee of Lord Vitthal (Krishna) of Pandharpur and composed devotional songs known as bhajan-kirtans. The details of Namdev's life are unclear, as many miracle-filled hagiographies were written long after his death and are inconsistent and contradictory. He was influenced by Vaishnavism and his philosophy contains elements of both nirguna and saguna Brahman, with monistic themes. Namdev's legacy is celebrated in the Varkari tradition, where people undertake biannual pilgrimages to Pandharpur. He is also recognized in the Dadu Panthi, Kabir Panthi, and Sikh traditions. Some of Namdev's hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhs.

Namdev, a poet-saint of the Bhakti movement in India, was influenced by Vaishnava philosophy and believed in Vithoba. His literary works, along with those of Jñānēśvar and Tukaram, form the foundation of the beliefs of the Varkari sect of Hinduism. Namdev composed his writings in Marathi, using simple language accessible to common people. His songs, called bhajans, were meant to be sung with music and carried a spiritual message. Namdev's work is known for abhangs, a genre of hymn poetry. While around 2500 abhangs are credited to him, only 600-700 are considered authentic. Namdev's poems were transmitted orally within singing families, and the earliest surviving manuscripts date back to the 17th century. His work has been compiled into collections such as the Sri Namdev Gatha. Namdev's philosophy emphasized devotion as the path to liberation, and he believed in the oneness of the divine in everyone and everything. His legacy is seen in the Varkari pilgrimage to Pandharpur, where his paduka (footprints) are carried in a palanquin during the biannual pilgrimage. Namdev is also revered in Sikhism, and his hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.