Mirabai who is often regarded as an incarnation of Radha, was born in Samvat 1556-57 or 1498 A.D. in the village Kurkhi, near Merta, a small state in Marwar, Rajasthan. She is a celebrated as a great saint, Hindu mystic poet and devotee of Bhagwan Krishna. She was widely known and a cherished figure in the Bhakti movement culture as figured in Bhaktmal- a poem in the Braja language that gives short biographies of more than two-hundred Bhaktas.
Mirabai’s life is significant, and has relevance today, because her story nullifies the narratives of lack of creative life among Indian women folk in earlier times. Her life further substantiates the contrary common notion about Indian women that women were meant only to settle down, marry and devote their lives to their domestic obligations and “duties only. Her life adds a further lesson about women strength, power of devotion and enormous potential of creativity even in odd times in Bharatiya culture in general and Bhakti tradition in particular
Although, no authentic records are available about the exact birthdate of Meerabai but scholars have attempted to establish Meera’s biography from secondary literature. It is believed that Mirabai was born in 1498 AD in the Chaukari village of Merta, a feudatory estate in the state of Rajasthan. She was the daughter of Ratan Singh Ranthor- younger son of Rao Dudaji, the ruler of the kingdom. He spent most of his time away from home fighting the Mughals. He died at a young age while fighting in a battle. Her mother too died when Mira was around seven years old and therefore, as a child Mira got very little parental care and affection. Mira was brought up by her grandfather Rao Dudaji. From him Mira received lessons in religion, politics and government. She was also well educated in music and art.
The Ranthors of Merta were great devotees of Vishnu. Mira Bai was brought up amidst Vaishnava influence, which moulded her life in the path of devotion towards Bhagwan Krishna. She learnt to worship Sri Krishna from her childhood. When she was four years of age, she manifested religious tendencies. Once there was a marriage procession in front of her residence. The bridegroom was nicely dressed. Mira, who was only a child, saw the bridegroom and said to her mother innocently, “Dear mother, who is my bridegroom?”. Mira’s mother smiled, and half in jest and half in earnest, pointed towards the image of Sri Krishna and said, “My dear Mira, Bhagwan Krishna—this beautiful image—is your bridegroom”.
Some time later, a wandering sage came to Meera. He had an murti of Bhagwan Krishna with him. Before leaving the fortress town, he handed over the murti to Mira. He also taught her how to worship the Bhagwan. Mira was delighted.
Child Mira began to love the murti of Krishna very much. She spent much of her time in bathing and dressing the image. She worshipped the image. She slept with the image. She danced about the image in ecstasy. She sang beautiful songs in front of the image. She used to talk to the idol.
Remembering her mother’s words, Mira began to serve the murti of Bhagwan Krishna as she would serve her husband. Time flew past and Mira’s devotion to her Bhagwan grew to such an extent that she began to see herself as marred to Him.
Mira’s father arranged for her marriage with Rana Kumbha of Chittor, in Mewar. Mira was a very dutiful wife. She obeyed her husband’s commands implicitly. After her household duties were over, she would go to the temple of Bhagwan Krishna, worship, sing and dance before the image daily. The little image would get up, embrace Mira, play on the flute and talk to her.
Gradually Mira began to devote more time to her spiritual practices. She danced and sang for hours in front of the deity in the temple. Devotees, consisting of common people, came from far and wide to listen to her songs.
Then Mira moved to Vrindavan. There she led the life of hermit, writing poems, having discourses with other sages and interacting at will with the devotees. She also undertook pilgrimages, visiting places associated with Bhagwan Krishna.
Her popularity began to increase day by day and everywhere she went devotees gathered around her in the hope of listening to her words and to hear her sing.
She passed her last days at Dwarka, where Bhagwan Krishna and his clan was said to have lived after leaving their original home at Mathura. Here in 1547, Mirabai left her mortal body to unite with her Bhagwan. It is not exactly known how Mirabai died. According to folklore she merged into the murti of Bhagwan Krishna and became one with Him
It is extremely difficult to find a parallel to this wonderful personality—Mira—a saint, a philosopher, a poet and a sage. She was a versatile genius and a magnanimous soul. Her life has a singular charm, with extraordinary beauty and marvel. She was a princess, but she abandoned the pleasures and luxuries incident to her high station, and chose instead, a life of poverty, austerity, Tyaga, Titiksha and Vairagya. Though she was a delicate young lady, she entered the perilous journey on the spiritual path amidst various difficulties. She underwent various ordeals with undaunted courage and intrepidity. She stood adamant in her resolve. She had a gigantic will.
Today, Mirabai is considered one of the great female saints of India and her songs are still sung. Moreover, there have been hundreds of songs composed in her honour and there are festivals devoted to her that take place around the time of Dusshera in Rajasthan. She is still very much alive today in the hearts of Indians.
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