Welcome to the strangely beautiful world of bhakti; a force so potent, so pure that when it flows from a devotee’s heart, even the All-Powerful Lord has no choice but to come running. And so, across the tapestry of temples, fields, and villages—bhakti has woven itself into stories that will make you laugh, cry, and remember that in God’s kingdom, only love matters. Let us dive into some of the soul-stirring chronicles where love bends the rules of the universe.

Kanakadas: When God Broke the Wall

Our journey begins in a village in Karnataka, where a poet-saint named Kanakadas made God turn around, literally.

Born into a lower caste during a time when untouchability was widespread, Kanakadas was mocked and marginalized by society. Despite societal barriers, he was drawn to spiritual life and desired to have a Guru. Kanakadas sought the guidance of Sri Vyasatirtha, a famed spiritual master. The Guru, unsure about accepting someone from so-called "lower" background, reluctantly gave him a mantra to chant: “Bhainsa Bhainsa” (Buffalo Buffalo). Kanakadas began repeating it with sincere devotion, wholeheartedly believing that the word “Buffalo,” was a sacred name.

Somewhere in the celestial realms, Yamraj—the god of death who rides a buffalo—was perplexed. “Why is my buffalo being summoned like a deity?” Amused, he appeared before Kanakadas. “Ask for a boon,” Yamraj offered. Kanakadas blinked. “Nothing for me, but maybe my Guru wants something.” So off they went—Kanakadas and Yamraj, side by side, to the Guru’s doorstep. The Guru was stunned; his disciple had summoned the god of death! That moment marked the first time he perceived the depth of Kanakadas’s spiritual stature.

Another time, the Guru gave all his disciples some food and said, “Today is Ekadashi (a fasting day), you may eat—but only if no one is watching.” The disciples agreed. Later, the Guru asked Kanakadas if he ate. Kanakadas replied, “Guruji, I could not find a place where no one was watching. Wherever I went, I felt God’s eyes upon me.” Sage Vyasatirtha’s realization deepened—Kanakadas was no ordinary devotee.

Kanakadas later went to Udupi, home to the historic Shree Krishna Temple. Burning with devotion, he yearned for darshan, but the temple priests barred his entry due to his caste. He stood behind the temple and poured out his heart in prayer. Then, the miracle unfolded—the stone wall cracked, a window formed, and the Krishna deity turned 180 degrees to face Kanakadas and grant him darshan. That very window, now known as Kanakana Kindi, still stands—where devotees catch their first glimpse of the Lord.

When bhakti knocks, God does not just answer. He rearranges the furniture!

Saint Kabir aptly put it: 

Jaati paati poochhe nahi koi, Hari ko bhaje so Hari ka hoi

“Caste, creed, status—none of it matters. The one who worships God becomes His own.”

Salbeg: When the Chariot Refused to Move

Now let us travel to Odisha into the moving tale of Salbeg.

His father, Lalbeg, was a Muslim soldier who had come to the Pipili region with the army. During his stay, he forcibly took a Brahmin widow named Lalita and married her. From this union, a son was born—Salbeg. Though compelled to change her faith, Lalita never abandoned her devotion to Jagannath ji, and she raised Salbeg in that same spirit of devotion. Eventually, Lalbeg left them and returned to his duties with the army. He was later stationed as a military commander in Kolkata.

During a fierce battle, Lalbeg summoned his grown-up son, Salbeg, to join the war effort. In the clash, Lalbeg was killed, and Salbeg was gravely wounded. Barely alive, he returned home. Encouraged by his mother to surrender to Lord Jagannath and take His name, Salbeg prayed with all his heart. By the grace of the Lord, a miraculous recovery followed.

However, the Muslim community rejected him because of his growing devotion to a Hindu deity. Ostracized, he went to Puri, the sacred abode of Jagannath ji, seeking solace. But there too, he faced rejection. The local Hindu community did not accept him. Heartbroken, Salbeg settled near Puri on the outskirts, building a small hut from leaves.

Then came a divine sign.

During the next grand Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival), the Lord’s chariot came to a sudden halt—right in front of Salbeg’s hut. Despite every effort, the chariot refused to move. Not an inch forward. Priests tried everything but it refused to budge until they approached Salbeg and requested him to help. With tears in his eyes, Salbeg stepped forward and pulled the ropes with devotion. As soon as he did so, the chariot began to move again.

Yet, despite the miracle, the local priests continued to reject him. With a heavy heart, Salbeg finally departed for Vrindavan and started living there. Meanwhile in Puri, during another Rath Yatra, the Lord’s chariot again got stuck—near Salbeg’s hut, for a whole month. When Salbeg returned and offered a prayer, only then did the path clear. At last, everyone honored him as a cherished devotee of the Lord and he remained near Puri close to his Beloved Jagannath. His soulful bhajans continue to resonate through Jagannath temple. Even today, a chariot halt is observed in his memory.

Because bhakti does not check your last name. It checks your heart.

Dhanna Jat: A Farmer Who Fed God

Now let us meet Dhanna Jat, a simple farmer, whose bhakti was so innocent, even Krishna could not resist playing along.

Dhanna served at a temple and helped a local priest. One day asked, “Please teach me how to worship God. I want to offer my devotion too.”  The priest, mocking him, handed over a black stone used for crushing cannabis, and jokingly said, “This is Shaligram (a divine form of Krishna). Worship it.”

With a heart full of faith and no trace of doubt, Dhanna took the stone as God Himself. He brought the stone home. He bathed it, dressed it, and lovingly fed it whatever food he had—often just a few rotis. When the stone did not eat, he thought, “Perhaps I upset God by forcefully bringing Him from the priest’s house.” Still, he kept pleading.

 “Eat, O Lord.” The stone did not respond.

But Dhanna did not stop.

He said, “If You won’t eat, I won’t eat either,” and he fasted for seven days straight. Finally, Shree Krishna could not bear it. He emerged from the stone. Not just appeared—He started eating the rotis. When He reached for the third, Dhanna stopped Him. “Wait! I have been hungry too!”

Even God had to smile.

Touched by Dhanna’s simplicity, Shree Krishna placed His hand on Dhanna’s head and blessed him. Divine knowledge awakened in Dhanna’s heart—the light of the scriptures and devotion shone from within.

Not scholarship. Not rituals. Just innocent, persistent love.

Sutikshna: The Boy Who Promised to Bring God

If you ever feel you have made a mistake too big to recover from, meet Sutikshna, a five-year-old disciple of Sage Agastya.

Sutikshna lived in his Guru’s ashram and joyfully served him. His devotion and sincerity earned the complete trust of his Guru.  One day, Sage Agastya told him, “I need to go on a short pilgrimage. Until I return, take care of the Shaligram”—a sacred stone representing God. Sutikshna accepted the responsibility. The next morning, while taking a walk, he brought the Shaligram with him. On his way, he came across a jamun tree—a fruit that children often love for its tangy-sweet taste. Being a child, Sutikshna was tempted to eat the fruits. He picked up a stone and threw it at the tree. A few jamuns fell, and he relished them. But the taste only fuelled his craving for more. When he looked around for another stone, he could not find one—except the Shaligram. Momentarily forgetting its sanctity, he gave into temptation. He threw the Shaligram at the tree. Unfortunately, it did not hit any jamuns. Instead, it flew right through the branches.

Bad aim. The Shaligram splashed into a stream and disappeared.

Sutikshna panicked—he had lost his Guru’s sacred Shaligram. He frantically searched among the pebbles, but it had been washed away. Desperate, he thought: Jamuns are black like the Shaligram. Maybe Guruji would not notice! So, he picked a jamun fruit and placed it on the asan (worship seat), hoping to pass it off as the Shaligram.

Sage Agastya returned, unaware of what had happened. The next morning, as he began the Shaligram puja, something unusual occurred—the jamun’s peel and seed separated during the worship. Suspicious, he asked, “Did you play any mischief with the Shaligram?” Sutikshna, still trying to cover up, replied, “Guruji, it must be the glory of your devotion! Even God is responding in miraculous ways!” But Agastya was not fooled. “You naughty boy! Did you eat jamuns? Where is my Shaligram? Until you find it, do not return to this ashram!” This moment changed Sutikshna forever. He vowed, “I will bring God Himself to my Guru!”

He left the ashram and began a life of intense austerity, which he continued for decades. When Bhagavan Ram descended to Earth, He knew of Sutikshna’s devotion. Hearing of Ram’s arrival, Sutikshna was overwhelmed. His response was ecstatic—jumping, crying, and dancing in joy. He went into devotional ecstasy and eventually entered deep meditative absorption. As Sutikshna opened his eyes—there, standing in front of him, was Bhagavan Ram.

Sutikshna made a humble request: “My Lord, can I take You to meet my Guru?” Ram agreed. Together, they went to Sage Agastya’s ashram. Sutikshna called out, “Guruji, please open the door! I have fulfilled my vow. I have brought God to you!” Agastya Rishi opened the door and was astonished. Overwhelmed, he said, “What more can a Guru ask of a disciple? You have brought God Himself to meet me!” Such was the depth of Sutikshna’s devotion. Some fetch water for their Guru. Sutikshna fetched God.

Conclusion

Bhakti is not just an emotion. It is a power so compelling that even the supremely independent Almighty dances to its tune. God forgets to be God. Shree Krishna admits it: "Though I am supremely independent, this force of bhakti makes Me dance—like a snake before a charmer."

The Vedas state:

bhaktirevainam nayati bhaktirevainam paśhyati bhaktirevainam darśhayati bhakti vaśhaḥ puruṣho bhaktireva bhūyasī ~ Maṭhar Shruti

“Bhakti alone can lead us to God. Bhakti alone can make us see God. Bhakti alone can bring us in the presence of God. God is under the control of bhakti. Hence, do bhakti exclusively.” 

So, here is the cosmic twist: While the world is out searching for God in temples, mountains, and mantras—God is peeking into hearts for one crazy, courageous, and unconditional thing: Bhakti. When it flows from the heart, even God comes running!

Call to Action

●       Read Nourish Your Soul: Inspirations from and Lives of Great Saints by Swami Mukundananda—a powerful tribute to eleven God-intoxicated saints. Their lives offer soul-deep inspiration for every spiritual seeker.

●       Explore the YouTube Channel of Swami Mukundananda—a sanctuary of  eye-opening discourses, transformative wisdom, and practical guidance to deepen your spiritual journey.

Resources

●       The ONLY Way you can see Lord Krishna - An Eye-Opening video | Swami Mukundananda

●       Saints of India a Motivational Message | Real Stories of Saints | True Saints of India | Part 2

●       मुस्लिम को कैसे मिला जगन्नाथ जी का आशीर्वाद? | Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra | Bhakt Salabega Story

●       3 संतों की कहानियाँ | भगत के वश में है भगवान | Swami Mukundananda