Mirabai was a great saint and devotee
of Sri Krishna. Despite facing criticism and hostility from her own family, she
lived an exemplary saintly life and composed many devotional bhajans.
Historical information about the life of Mirabai is a matter of some scholarly
debate. The oldest biographical account was Priyadas’s commentary in Nabhadas’
Sri Bhaktammal in 1712. Nevertheless there are many aural histories, which give
an insight into this unique poet and Saint of India.
Early Life Mirabai
Mira was born around the start of the
16th Century in the Chaukari village
in Merta,
Rajasthan. Her father was Ratan Singh a descendent of Rao Rathor, the founder
of Jodhpur. When Mirabai was only 3 years old, a wandering Sadhu came to her
family’s home and gave a doll of Sri Krishna to her father. Her father took
this is as a special blessing, but was initially unwilling to give it to her
daughter, because she felt she would not appreciate it. However Mira had, at
first sight, become deeply enamoured with this doll. She refused to eat until
the doll of Sri Krishna was given to her. To Mira, this figure of Sri Krishna,
embodied his living presence. She resolved to make Krishna her lifelong friend,
lover, and husband. Throughout her turbulent life she never wavered from her
youthful commitment.
On one occasion when Mira was still
young she saw a wedding procession going down the street. Turning to her mother
she asked in innocence, “Who will be my husband?” Her mother replied, half in
jest, half in seriousness. “You already have your husband, Sri Krishna.” Mira’s
mother was supportive of her daughter’s blossoming religious tendencies, but
she passed away when she was only young.
At an early age Mira’s father arranged for her to be married to Prince Bhoj Raj, who was the eldest son of Rana Sanga of Chittor. They were an influential Hindu family and the marriage significantly elevated Mira’s social position. However Mira was not enamoured of the luxuries of the palace. She served her husband dutifully, but in the evening she would spend her time in devotion and singing to her beloved Sri Krishna. Whilst singing devotional bhajans, she would frequently lose awareness of the world, entering into states of ecstasy and trance.
At an early age Mira’s father arranged for her to be married to Prince Bhoj Raj, who was the eldest son of Rana Sanga of Chittor. They were an influential Hindu family and the marriage significantly elevated Mira’s social position. However Mira was not enamoured of the luxuries of the palace. She served her husband dutifully, but in the evening she would spend her time in devotion and singing to her beloved Sri Krishna. Whilst singing devotional bhajans, she would frequently lose awareness of the world, entering into states of ecstasy and trance.
Go
to that impenetrable realm
That death himself trembles to look upon.
There plays the fountain of love
With swans sporting on its waters.
That death himself trembles to look upon.
There plays the fountain of love
With swans sporting on its waters.
Conflict with Family
However her new family did not
approve of her piety and devotion to Krishna. To make things worse Mira refused
to worship their family deity Durga. She said she had already committed herself
to Sri Krishna. Her family became increasingly disproving of her actions, but
the fame and saintly reputation of Mirabai spread throughout the region. Often
she would spend time discussing spiritual issues with Sadhus and people would
join in the singing of her bhajans. However this just made her family even more
jealous. Mira’s sister-in-law Udabai started to spread false gossip and
defamatory remarks about Mirabai. She said Mira was entertaining men in her
room. Her husband, believing these stories to be true, tore into her room with
sword in hand. However he saw Mira only playing with a doll. No man was there
at all. Yet throughout these hysterical slanders Mirabai remained unmoved by
both the criticism and praise of the world.
This infamy, O my Prince
is delicious!
Some revile me,
others applaud,
I simply follow my incomprehensible road
A razor thin path
but you meet some good people,
A terrible path but you hear a true word
Turn back?
Because the wretched stare and see nothing?
O Mira's Lord is noble and dark,
and slanderers
rake only themselves
over the coals
is delicious!
Some revile me,
others applaud,
I simply follow my incomprehensible road
A razor thin path
but you meet some good people,
A terrible path but you hear a true word
Turn back?
Because the wretched stare and see nothing?
O Mira's Lord is noble and dark,
and slanderers
rake only themselves
over the coals
Mirabai and Akbar
Mira’s fame spread far and wide her
devotional bhajans were sung across northern India. It is said that the fame
and spirituality of Mirabai reached the ears of the Moghul Emperor Akbar. Akbar
was tremendously powerful, but he was also very interested in different
religious paths. The problem was that he and Mirabai’s family were the worst
enemies; to visit Mirabai would cause problems for both him and Mirabai. But
Akbar was determined to see Mirabai, the Princess – Saint. Disguised in the
clothes of beggars he travelled with Tansen to visit Mirabai. Akbar was so
enamoured of her soulful music and devotional singing, that he placed at her
feet a priceless necklace before leaving. However in the course of time Akbar’s
visit came to the ears of her husband Bhoj Raj. He was furious that a Muslim
and his own arch enemy and set eyes upon his wife. He ordered Mirabai to commit
suicide by drowning in a river. Mirabai intended to honour her husbands
command, but as she was entering the river Sri Krishna appeared to her and
commanded her to leave for Brindaban where she could worship him in peace. So
with a few followers, Mirabai left for Brindaban, where she spent her time in
devotion to Sri Krishna. After a while her husband became repentant, feeling
that her wife was actually a real saint. Thus he travelled to Brindaban and
requested her to return. Mirabai agreed, much to the displeasure of the rest of
her family.
However soon after Mira’s husband
died;( fighting in battles with the Moghul emperors). This made the situation
even worse for Mirabai. Her father in law, Rana Sanga, saw her husband’s death
as a way to be rid of Mirabai. He commanded her to commit Sati. However Mirabai,
with the inner direct assurance of her beloved Sri Krishna, said that she would
not do this. Her real husband, Sri Krishna had not died. She would later say in
her poetry.
"sati na hosyan girdhar gansyan mhara
man moho ghananami",
"I
will not commit sati. I will sing the songs of Girdhar Krishna, and will not
become sati because my heart is enamoured of Hari."
After this experience her family
continued to torture her. They restricted her movements and sought to make her
life as uncomfortable as possible. Yet in the face of all these trials and
tribulation she remained detached from her physical suffering. There was
nothing that could disturb her inner connection to Giridhara (epithet of Sri
Krishna as young cowherd boy). It is said that twice her family tried to kill
her, once through a venomous snake and once through poisonous drink. On both
occasions it is said Mirabai, protected by the Grace of Sri Krishna, came to no
ill harm.
Mirabai in Brindaban
However the relentless torments and
hostility interfered with her life of devotion and contemplation on Krishna.
She sought the advice of learned men and Saints. They advised her to leave the
palace and return to Brindaban. Secretly with some followers she slipped out of
the palace and escaped to the holy city of Brindaban. In Brindaban Mirabai was
free to worship Giridhara to her heart’s content. She would spend her time in
singing bhajans and in ecstatic communion with Krishna. Like a true Bhakti she
worshipped God wholeheartedly. The riches of the world offered no attraction to
Mirabai; her only satisfaction came from her single minded devotion to
Sri Krishna. Her soul was ever yearning for Krishna. She considered herself to
be a Gopi of Vrindaban, mad only with pure love for Krishna.
I am mad with love
And no one understands my plight.
Only the wounded
Understand the agonies of the wounded,
When the fire rages in the heart.
Only the jeweller knows the value of the jewel,
Not the one who lets it go.
In pain I wander from door to door,
But could not find a doctor.
Says Mira: Harken, my Master,
Mira's pain will subside
When Shyam comes as the doctor.
And no one understands my plight.
Only the wounded
Understand the agonies of the wounded,
When the fire rages in the heart.
Only the jeweller knows the value of the jewel,
Not the one who lets it go.
In pain I wander from door to door,
But could not find a doctor.
Says Mira: Harken, my Master,
Mira's pain will subside
When Shyam comes as the doctor.
I am Mad
Her devotion and spiritual magnetism
were infectious. She inspired many to follow the path of Vaishnavism. As Swami
Sivananda stated:
“Mira
wafted the fragrance of devotion far and wide. Those who came in contact with
her were affected by her strong current of Prem. Mira was like Lord Gauranga.
She was an embodiment of love and innocence. Her heart was the temple of
devotion. Her face was the lotus-flower of Prem. There was kindness in her
look, love in her talk, joy in her discourses, power in her speech and fervour
in her songs.”
Even learned Sadhus would come to her
for inspiration. There is a story of one respected Spiritual Master, who
refused to speak to Mirabai because she was a woman. Mirabai replied there was
only 1 real man in Brindaban, Sri Krishna; everyone else was a Gopi of Krishna.
On hearing this the Spiritual teacher accepted the wisdom of Mirabai and agreed
to talk to her. Later Mirabai would become his student.
Poems of Mirabai
Much of what we know about Mirabai
comes from her poetry. Her poetry express the longing and seeking of her soul
for union with Sri Krishna. At time she expresses the pain of separation and at
other times the ecstasy of divine union. Her devotional poems were designed to
be sung as bhajans and many are still sung today.
“Mira’s
songs infuse faith, courage, devotion and love of God in the minds of the
readers. They inspire the aspirants to take to the path of devotion and they
produce in them a marvelous thrill and a melting of the heart.”
Mirabai was a devotee of the highest
order. She was immune to the criticism and suffering of the world. She was born
a princess but forsook the pleasures of a palace for begging on the streets of
Brindaban. She lived during a time of war and spiritual decline, but her life
offered a shining example of the purest devotion. Many were inspired by
her infectious devotion and spontaneous love for Sri Krishna. Mirabai showed
how a seeker could attain union with God, only through love. Her only message
was that Krishna was her all.
My Beloved dwells in my heart,
I have actually seen that Abode of Joy.
Mira's Lord is Hari, the Indestructible.
My Lord, I have taken refuge with Thee,
Thy slave.
I have actually seen that Abode of Joy.
Mira's Lord is Hari, the Indestructible.
My Lord, I have taken refuge with Thee,
Thy slave.
"That
dark dweller in Braj
Is my only refuge.
O my companion, worldly comfort is an illusion,
As soon you get it, it goes.
I have chosen the indestructible for my refuge,
Him whom the snake of death will not devour.
My beloved dwells in my heart all day,
I have actually seen that abode of joy.
Mira's lord is Hari, the indestructible.
My lord, I have taken refuge with you, your maidservant"
Is my only refuge.
O my companion, worldly comfort is an illusion,
As soon you get it, it goes.
I have chosen the indestructible for my refuge,
Him whom the snake of death will not devour.
My beloved dwells in my heart all day,
I have actually seen that abode of joy.
Mira's lord is Hari, the indestructible.
My lord, I have taken refuge with you, your maidservant"
That
Dark Dweller
It is said in her death she melted
into the heart of Krishna. Tradition relates how one day she was singing in a
temple, when Sri Krishna appeared in his subtle form. Sri Krishna was so
pleased with his dearest devotee. He opened up his heart centre and Mirabai
entered leaving her body whilst in the highest state of Krishna consciousness.
Sri Chinmoy says of Mirabai
“Mirabai
was a devotee of the high, higher, highest order. Among the saints of India,
she is absolutely unparalleled. She composed many, many bhajans, which are prayerful songs to God. Each song Mirabai
wrote expressed her inspiration, aspiration and sleepless self-giving"
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