My journey with Atmabhan and Shri Ashvin Deshpande has led me to discover the true meaning of Bhakti Yoga—the path of divine love, devotion, and surrender. Often misunderstood as mere ritualistic worship, Bhakti Yoga is much deeper—it is a state of being where one’s heart and soul dissolve in divine consciousness.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna speaks about Bhakti (devotion) as the highest path to liberation. It is not just about prayers or offerings; it is about a personal relationship with the Divine—a relationship that transcends logic, fear, or expectations.
Two of the greatest Bhakti Yogis in Indian history—Meera Bai and Janabai—embodied this philosophy in their lives. Their stories reflect the essence of true devotion and teach us how Bhakti Yoga can be lived, not just studied.
Meera Bai: The Queen Who Chose Krishna Over the World
Born a princess of Mewar, Meera Bai’s life should have been filled with royal luxuries. But her heart belonged to Krishna. From childhood, she saw Krishna not as a distant God, but as her eternal companion.
Despite immense opposition from her family, society, and even her own husband, Meera Bai refused to abandon her devotion. She composed divine bhajans, danced in spiritual ecstasy, and roamed from temple to temple, seeking only Krishna’s presence.
Her Bhakti Yoga was unshakable faith and surrender. She believed:
“If the whole world stands against my devotion, so be it. My soul belongs only to Krishna.”
Lessons from Meera Bai:
True devotion is fearless
Meera left behind wealth, status, and security for the path of divine love.
Bhakti is personal
She did not worship Krishna out of duty, but out of pure love.
Detachment is key
Her story reminds us that worldly possessions fade, but divine love is eternal.
Her life echoes the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings:
“Abandon all varieties of dharma and simply surrender unto Me.”
(Bhagavad Gita 18.66)
At Atmabhan, I have learned that Bhakti Yoga is not about rituals—it is about making devotion a way of life.
Janabai: The Servant Whose Heart Was Free
Unlike Meera Bai, who was born a queen, Janabai was born a servant. Yet, in Bhakti Yoga, external status means nothing—only the heart’s devotion matters.
Janabai was a devotee of Vithoba (a form of Krishna) and worked as a servant in the house of Saint Namdev. But her Bhakti was so pure that even Vithoba Himself would appear in her home to help her with daily chores.
Her life teaches us that:
No task is too small in Bhakti Yoga
Janabai saw cooking, cleaning, and serving others as acts of devotion.
Bhakti dissolves ego
She remained humble and unattached, seeing herself as a servant of the Divine.
Divine love transcends boundaries
A mere servant girl attained spiritual heights greater than kings and scholars.
Her devotion reminds me of Krishna’s words in the Bhagavad Gita:
“Even if one is the lowest among men, if he surrenders unto Me with devotion, he is most dear to Me.”
(Bhagavad Gita 9.30)
At Atmabhan, I have experienced that Bhakti is about seeing the Divine in everyday life—in every task, every challenge, and every moment of joy.
Bhakti Yoga in Today’s World
In today’s fast-paced world, Bhakti Yoga is often overlooked. Many believe meditation (Dhyaan) and intellectual study (Jnana Yoga) are superior. But Bhakti Yoga is the easiest and most natural path to liberation—because it is about love, not effort.
As Shri Ashvin Deshpande teaches at Atmabhan:
“The heart, when filled with devotion, needs no external guidance—it naturally moves towards the Divine.”
Through Atmabhan Guided Meditation, I have realized that Bhakti is not just about praying in temples—it is about surrendering every action, every thought, and every breath to the Divine.
Final Thoughts: How to Practice Bhakti Yoga
- Sing, chant, and remember the Divine’s name—Like Meera Bai, let devotion flow through music and poetry.
- See every action as an offering—Like Janabai, turn daily tasks into acts of worship.
- Trust and surrender completely—As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, He personally takes care of those who surrender with faith.
Bhakti Yoga is not just a path—it is a way of living with love, surrender, and complete oneness with the Divine. Through Atmabhan, I have learned that Bhakti is not separate from life—it is life itself.
