261. Sundar das (1596-1689 A.D.)

Sundar das is said to be a follower of Dadu Dayal. He was born in 1596 in Dhausa near Jaipur. From the age of ten till thirty he studied the holy scriptures by staying in Kasi. He returned to Rajasthan and died in 1689 in Sangamer. Sant Sunderdas composed about 48 books, which included philosophy, bhajans, and poems in several vernacular languages spoken during his time. His works continue to inspire spiritual seekers even today. He is revered as the "Sankaracharya" of Hindi literature, and is popularly known as Sant Kavi Sundar das. In literature his most famous work is Sundar Vilas. He has composed many small poems on nirgunBhakti, social relationships and character. A 2 Rupee stamp was issued in his name by the Indian Postal department on 8th November 1997.