Janabai was a saint-poet of Maharashtra who served in the household of Sant Namdev. Her life was simple, but her mind was always absorbed in the name of Vitthal.
While doing housework, turning the grinding stone and sweeping, she kept humming abhangs to Vitthal. Her compositions describe everyday chores beautifully.
The folk tale says that, pleased with her devotion, Vitthal himself sat down to grind with her. The meaning is that God is with those who do their work with devotion.
Even today Janabai’s abhangs are sung with great respect in Maharashtra.