The first Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, the 'Dnyaneshwari', was written by:

Sant Dnyaneshwar (also spelled Jnaneshwar or Gyaneshwar, 1275-1296) was a 13th-century saint, poet and philosopher of Maharashtra. He wrote the "Dnyaneshwari" (also called "Bhavartha Deepika"), the first commentary on the Bhagavad Gita in Marathi, in 1290 at Nevasa (in Ahmednagar district, now Ahilyanagar).

About the Dnyaneshwari:

• It has about 9,000 verses in the "ovi" metre, a Marathi verse form.
• It explains the Sanskrit Bhagavad Gita in simple Marathi, so that ordinary people who did not know Sanskrit could understand its teachings.
• It is regarded as one of the greatest works of Marathi literature and a foundation of the Marathi language and the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra.

About Sant Dnyaneshwar:

• He was born in 1275 at Apegaon, near Paithan, Maharashtra.
• He and his siblings (Nivruttinath, Sopandev and Muktabai) were treated as outcasts by society because their father had returned to family life after becoming a sanyasi.
• He wrote the Dnyaneshwari at the young age of about 15-16.
• His other works include "Amrutanubhav", a philosophical work, and many abhangs (devotional songs).
• He is regarded as one of the founders of the Varkari sampradaya, which worships Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur.

He took "sanjeevan samadhi" (voluntarily entered a state of final meditation) at Alandi, near Pune, in 1296, at the age of 21. Every year, his palanquin (palkhi) is carried from Alandi to Pandharpur during the Wari pilgrimage.

Other saints of Maharashtra:

• Sant Namdev (13th-14th century), whose verses are also in the Guru Granth Sahib.
• Sant Eknath (16th century), who wrote the "Eknathi Bhagavat".
• Sant Tukaram (17th century), famous for his abhangs ("Tukaram Gatha").
• Samarth Ramdas (17th century), Shivaji's spiritual guide, who wrote "Dasbodh".

Why not the other options?

• ✗Sant Tukaram composed abhangs.
• ✗Sant Eknath wrote the "Eknathi Bhagavat".
• ✗Samarth Ramdas wrote "Dasbodh".