Oh, my dear friend, let me take you on a deep journey through the ages—a time when faith was so much more than a feeling; it was a burning fire that set the soul ablaze, consuming doubts, fears, and the burdens of worldly things. This is not just history; this is the very heartbeat of bhakti, the divine rhythm that comes from those who laid down their entire selves for the love of the Divine. In this period, followers went on an earnest search, frequently giving up social standing, individual ambitions, and even family relationships in their unrelenting quest for a greater spiritual union. Their lives were interlaced with strands of unflinching trust, sincere prayer, and service filled with sacrificial love and wrapped in rich devotion. With each passing minute, there lingered an irresistible sense of seeking after the Divinity—a want that was so keen that it touched beyond mortal responsibilities of the every-day self to a seeking-after of understanding being itself.

As we explore this vibrant landscape of devotion, we uncover the stories of saints and seekers, each one illuminating the path with their unique experiences and expressions of love for the Divine. Their devotion, sacrifices, and triumphs resonate through the ages to come, reminding us that true devotion is not just a solitary pursuit of an individual but a shared journey, one that calls us to awaken our own hearts and seek the divine presence in every breath we take.

Let’s begin with Mahadevi, a young girl of unparalleled beauty in the 12th century. While the world around her was obsessed with societal norms, she had already chosen her path. No mortal man could claim her heart, for it belonged solely to Chenna Mallikarjuna—Shiva, in his purest, most fragrant form. Imagine a girl of such conviction that she was already a disciple of bhakti at seven, and by sixteen, she was nearly a saint. But the world does not accept such purity without challenge, does it? King Koushika, drawn to her radiant presence, claimed her as his wife. Yet, when he declared that everything she possessed now belonged to him, Mahadevi did the unimaginable—she renounced everything, even her clothes, walking away from the palace with nothing but her faith. And then, my friend, the wonderful—her loose hair covered her body as if the Divine Himself wrapped her in His embrace.

In Kalyan, a spiritual hotbed for Shiva worship, she steeped herself in the revolutionary flow of ‘Veera’Saiva’, a people in which spiritual discourse and societal reform thrived. Guided by the inspired teachings of iconic saints such as Basavanna and Prabhudeva, she became an influential voice, speaking her beliefs with unshakable valour. In such a spiritual world, one such person gained the honour of becoming ‘A’ka’—’ the elder sister—a position she took to heart, teaching others with kindness and being an icon of unhesitating devotion. Her path, however, didn’t end there with mere worship; she explored further into the nature of spirituality. She went beyond the conventional image of a deity, opting instead to adopt the formless Absolute, the boundless consciousness which forms the basis of all that exists. In this deep awareness, she came to know the Divine in all aspects of nature—the whisper of leaves, the flowing brooks, and even the breath—seeing that the holy is embedded in the weave of ordinary life. Guided by this perspective, she cultivated a deeper and profound sense of oneness with the ‘daata’, perceiving the manifestation of the Divine daata’ in all things of the universe and all people, thereby transcending the role of simple devotee to one of universal love and connection advocate.

Listen to her words, let them seep into your soul:

Like treasure hidden in the ground, like gold in the rock, like oil in the seed, the Absolute is hidden in the heart.

She did not so much worship but became one with her Lord in a deep spiritual communion of will and adoration. In the moment of ecstasy, her soul unwound and gave itself wholly to the gods. And she was gone from the world like a curl of smoke on a breeze. Nobody remained behind, no flesh to indicate her passing—only her vachanas, those great, immortal words, ringing through the halls of eternity, bearing the burden of her wisdom and the love she had to give. These poems, full of fervour and perception, still echo, reminding all who hear them of her unending presence and the divine bond she established with the Lord.

But let me tell you more about her life. After years of roaming, Mahadevi found the Kadali vana, a hidden forest close to the Shrishaila temple. It was here that she finally chose solitude, residing in a cave and dedicating herself entirely to meditation. As she deepened her practice, her perception of Chenna Mallikarjuna transformed—no longer just an idol but an omnipresent force. She saw the Absolute in everything around her: every tree became the kalpavriksha, every water body held amrita, and every pebble shone like the Chintamani gem. She was no longer separate from Him—He was in her breath, in her being. And then, as if merging into the very air, she disappeared, leaving only her wisdom behind.

Her vachanas, a remarkable devotional collection exceeding 300, emerged as a powerful and inspirational voice for a transformative bhakti movement across the surrounding areas. They served as a guiding light for countless individuals yearning for a deep and personal connection with the divine, transcending the limitations of rituals and societal conventions. These verses, steeped in emotion and devotion, articulate profound spiritual insights and experiences, resonating with the essence of bhakti—a devotion that is raw, unfiltered, and all-consuming. Even today, her vachanas stand as a testament to the enduring power of this heartfelt spirituality, inspiring generations to seek authenticity in their spiritual journeys and to embrace a deeper understanding of divine union.

Now, my friend, let me introduce you to another tale, one of raw, untamed devotion—Kannappa Nayanar, the hunter with the heart of a saint. A man of the wild, born into the Vyadha community and son of Raja Naga Vyadha, he lived by instinct, by survival, and by the rules of the jungle. Yet, within him, a love for Shiva burned brighter. One fateful day, a solitary hunter ventured deeper into the forest, his senses heightened, and his instincts sharpened. As he traversed the dense underbrush and listened to the rustling leaves, he unexpectedly came upon a sacred Shiva lingam, an ancient symbol of divine energy and transformation. He marvelled at its presence, for it seemed to radiate a profound serenity amidst the strife of nature.

Yet, here stood an untrained hunter—neither a scholar of the scriptures nor a practitioner of the rituals—confronted with a question: How can one who knows not the ways of worship demonstrate genuine reverence? With humility in his heart, he resolved to offer what he had at hand. He drew forth the purest water from his lips, allowing it to flow gently onto the lingam, a makeshift ritual of offering. He presented meat from his hunt—not as a sacrifice, but as a symbol of sustenance and life’s life’s nature—melding creation and destruction in the realm of the divine. And through it all, he poured forth his unfiltered, unrefined love, a heartfelt expression of gratitude and connection to the universe around him.

In this instant, the hunter realized that ritual and formality have no limits for Shiva. The god cares not for the accoutrements of conventional worship—no incense, no ostentatious garlands of flowers. What He really needs is the sincerity that wells from the deepest part of the heart, a genuine connection above and beyond the expectations of society. And so, in the stillness of the forest, Shiva accepted the hunter’s emotions, seeing the innocence of intention behind them. But, as with all true devotion, the hunter is soon to be tried. All roads of true devotion must face trials, and through these trials, one finds the strength of one’s devotion and the depths of one’s love. And so a quest, not merely in bodily chase, but a spiritual journey whose destinies would be entwined.

A quiver ran through the earth, the temple started to crumble. Others ran away, but Kannappa? He threw himself over the lingam, shielding it with his body. And then, the real trial began—one of the lingam’s eyes began to bleed. Without hesitation, without a second thought, Kannappa plucked out his eye and placed it over the wound. And when the second eye bled? Ah! He knew he would be blind if he sacrificed the other. So, he placed his foot on the spot, using it as a guide, and tore out his remaining eye.

At a time of great dedication and passion, Kannappa, a poor hunter, undertook a dangerous quest driven by his unrelenting passion for Lord Shiva. His love was so overwhelming that it teetered on the edge of insanity; he was ready to give up everything for the one he loved. Faced with the approaching darkness that would engulf him, Kannappa was blinded by grief and despondency. At this moment of despondency, when darkness was on the point of surrounding him in all its aspects, the divine presence of Lord Shiva descended in his presence. With a benevolent vision, Shiva restored the sight of Kannappa’s eye and imparted him eternal kindness and illumination.

Rejuvenated by this divine encounter, Kannappa transformed from his former life as a mere wild hunter. He was celebrated as the all famous Kannappa Nayanar, forever revered as one of Shiva’s 63 greatest saints. His myth became a legend of unshakeable devotion and an inspiration to many others, proving that true faith can lead to miraculous transformation and an unbreakable bond with the divine.

Yet, my friend, Kannappa did not end there. Legends say that upon receiving the gift of Shiva’s eye, he attained the ultimate moksha instantly, his soul merged with the Divine daata. Some believe he became a celestial guardian of the afterlife, forever watching and taking care of the devotees of Shiva, guiding them through the path of surrender. Others say his lineage continued, and his descendants carried forward his unwavering devotion, keeping his name alive through the centuries.

Do you remember the story of Arjuna, the great warrior of the Mahabharata, who found himself deeply troubled on the battlefield? With his bow in his hand, he was a powerful archer whose unmatched skill and bravery were famous, but he doubted the very foundation of what really brings about triumph. Overwhelmed and filled with doubt, Arjuna sought refuge in Krishna, his charioteer and divine mentor. With a smile of superior knowledge, Krishna shared a great secret which has echoed down the centuries: faithful love, not just military strength and ability, is what most delights God. This unshakeable devotion goes beyond physical qualities of strength and ability, disclosing a greater truth about the way to spiritual fulfillment and righteousness.

Yes! The Divine is not achieved through power or knowledge but through surrender.

When you choose to surrender your life to God, He transforms into your very breath and the pulse of your heart. This profound devotion manifests as an unwavering presence in your life, a profound love that you wear like a cherished ornament—a symbol of deep trust that He is with you in every moment and every circumstance. The journey of devotion transcends mere rituals, chants or simple intellectual pursuits. It is a transformative process of becoming one with the daata. This profound process invites you to let go of and abandon the ego and the weight of self-interest, allowing you to become free from the worldy existence, an empty vessel open to the Divine. In this space of emptiness, you find room for a deeper connection and understanding, where the essence of the Divine takes hold and guides your every step. It is in this sacred surrender that you truly begin to embody the love and grace of God, fostering a life that radiates peace, compassion, and purpose.

Bhakti is not just about lavish temples and religious places adorned with intricate beautiful carvings or perfect recitations of holy words and chantings delivered with impeccable precision. Rather, it embodies the essence of surrender—the act of yielding oneself completely to something greater. It is love that burns with an intensity so fierce and unwavering that it transcends beyond all logical understanding of the universe, shatters the barriers we construct around our hearts, and ultimately dissolves the ego that separates us from one another.

Then, dear friend, I ask you a haunting question: Will these stories be nothing but stories, or will you let them burn a deep fire in your heart? Will you instead stand on the outside and gaze upon the loveliness of these stories with detachment? Or will you have the courage to dive into the depths of this sacred current, letting go of your hold on the known and surrendering to be carried away into the limitless arms of the Divine? The choice is yours and yours alone. It invites you to have intimacy with the divine—one that calls you to melt into love, to disappear in the pleasure of union, and to find a life awakened by passion. The option is as endless as the universe, patiently waiting for your heart to answer. At the heart of bhakti is a profound and transformative love—one that has so much depth and all-encompassing that it transcends all barriers between the seeker and the Divine daata. In this sacred journey of devotion, those who fully surrender their whole existence do not perceive the Lord as a distant or separate entity; rather, they come to understand Him as the very essence of their own existence. In every moment and through every breath, His presence is felt, a gentle reminder of the divine embrace that is always there, waiting to envelop you in His infinite love. This love transforms ordinary people into extraordinary individual, then allowing the devotees to see the reality of the world through the lens of divinity and conscious clarity, revealing the interconnectedness of all the existence in the daata’s universe and deepening the bond between the self and the sacred.