BHAKTISANDESAM / MIRABAI

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Saint Mirabai (1547-1614 A.D.)

A true and perfect devotee of Bhagavan Shree Krishna

 

 

As the more famous (than Andal or Akkamadadevi) of the female saints

of India, Bhakti Mira or Mirabai can be considered as one of the

foremost mystics of the world. Worldly comforts never attracted these

mystics. They have left beautiful songs and hymns to posterity which

are sung to this day.

 

To Andal, Akka and Mira, the soul was the eternal bride and the Lord

their eternal Bridegroom the eternal Bridegroom . All the three

excelled in the life of renunciation and divine realization. They

lived in entirely different regions, wrote in their respective

language in different age and Milieu, but became legends in their

lifetime itself, by the austere life and single purpose of pursuit of

God and finally divine attainment. This life is extremely difficult

irrespective of gender to practice and attain salvation.

 

Mirabai was a princess of Rathod clan and belonged to Medath of

Rajasthan. Rana Ratan Simh was her father. (Rana is the word

for " Raja " ). Even from childhood she exhibited spiritual traits. She

was passionately attached to the idol of Giridhar Gopal, a form of

Lord Krishna. She was married to crown prince of Chittore. But

shortly after, her husband Bhojraj and father-in-law Rana Sangh died.

Mira refused to commit sati, as was the practice among Rajputs. She

was by conviction wedded to Giridhar Gopal, and death of " earthly "

husband had no meaning to her. She spent all her time in praying,

meditation, singing and dancing before her beloved idol, installed in

the palace premises. The place started attracting many devotees,

wandering saints and spiritual seekers. Mira found great solace in

their company.

 

But this strange behavior was not acceptable to royal household and

the ruling king, her brother-in-law. They thought of various modes of

diverting her attention and save the glare of public. (Rajput women

then and even now (year 2005) observe strict purdah) Some songs of

Mira reflect the agony and persecution she had to undergo. But her

Giridhar Gopal always proved her savior.

 

" The Rana sent Mira a basketful of flowers with a snake inside. Mira

absorbed in worship, put her hand into the basket to take flowers. Oh

God! The snake had changed into a Saligrama! (Saligrama is a small

round shaped black stone from the Gandaki river in Himalayas and is

worshipped as a symbol of Vishnu).

 

" Determined to kill Mira, the Rana sent a cup of poison. She prayed

to Gopal and drank it. The poison turned into nectar. The Rana got a

bed of sharp nails and Mira was made to lay down on it. But the nails

turned to flowers. Mira was saved from all these dangers by none

other than her Lord. Now intoxicated with immense love, she wanders

all over in search of her Lord, dedicating herself to him entirely "

she sang.

 

When many plots failed to kill Mira, it is said that Rana, the new

king, cursed her " Why shouldn't this ignoble woman drown herself and

die? "

 

Mira came to know about this wish and thought it would be a great

relief to her royal relations if she put amend to life by jumping

into the river. But in the nick of time divine voice addressed

her. " It is a great sin to kill oneself... go to Brindavan. "

 

So she undertook pilgrimage to Brindavan. It is considered sport

field of Lord Krishna. Brindavan, a sacred place, was abode to

several holy men. Jeeva Goswami had taken a vow never to see a woman--

even her shadow! So, disciple of Goswami stopped her. " The Swamiji

will not see any woman. "

 

Mira laughed. " I though the only man in Brindavan is Shri Krishan.

now I see, there is a rival to him! "

 

In the Bhakti cult the love of the wife for her husband is said to be

the best form of devotion. Hence all devotees in this world are women

and God is the only man. In Brindavan the only man was supposed to be

Krishna and other men and women were gopis, as sex distinction did

not exist among real Bhaktas. If a devotee really felt as a gopi, he

could never refuse to see another woman devotee. If anybody thinks

himself a man it amounts to being a rival to god.

 

Mirabai's words stung Goswami and he at once understood the hidden

meaning. He came out from cottage, bowed to the great lady and

escorted to the hermitage.

 

From Brindavan she went to Dwaraka singing and praying. " I discovered

the great secret in uttering the name and learnt it was quintessence

of sastras. I reached my Giridhar through prayers and tears. "

 

She gave many helpful suggestions to spiritual aspirants. " Oh my

mind! You must do spiritual practice and worship.

 

" To love and live for Him " was the central theme of her

songs. " Without pure love, the darling son of Nanda cannot be

attained. "

 

It is said that Mira got merged into the idol of Krishna in the

temple of Ranchod at Dwaraka.

 

More than 400 songs ascribed to Mira known as Padas (lyrics) have

been collected. She herself set tune to her songs and sang in soul-

stirring divinely sweet voice. " Rag Govind " and " Rag Mira Malhar " are

her creations. All her songs could be set to music easily and have

become immensely popular throughout India, an indication to national

solidarity established through Bhakti and through music.

 

 

 

Jai Shree Krishna !