RE: [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] BHAKTISANDESAM / MIRABAI

December 23, 2005

!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

From the movie " Ram teri Ganga Maili " ( " Oh ! Rama your Ganga is impure now " )I

remember a beautiful song rendered by Lata Mangeshkar " Ek Radha Ek Mira ...

Dono ne Shyam ko Chaha...Antar kya dono ke CHAH me bolo ...Ek Prem diwani Ek

Darsh diwani "

And it means " Both Radha & Mira admired Krishna..but what's the difference..The

former is thristy of LOVE & the later wants a SIGHT of Krishna " .

Devotion for Lord Krishna is equated with a huge range of emotions and states of

mind - from eroticism and sensuality to renunciation and surrender. Complete

immersion of one's soul in Krishna, is regarded as the path to unadulterated

devotion for Krishna. Radha and Mirabai are seen as the twin zeniths of devotion

for Lord Krishna. Opposites in some sense and yet so much one in their love for

the lord, the devotion of Mirabai and Radha for Krishna show the oneness of

eroticism and renunciation, and finally, the convergence of both into the

omnipresent soul of Krishna in the form of single-minded love and devotion.

Mirabai was a born poetess. Through her numerous poems, marked with simplicity

and lack of pretension, she has beautifully expressed her intensity and depth of

love for Krishna. Mirabai's bhajans (songs dedicated to the lord), composed

centuries ago still capture the thoughts and emotions of devotees today. These

songs are highly regarded for the mystic quality as well as their rich inner

meanings. Mirabai offered her soul to the lord, singing and dancing, in a

trance, to please her beloved and her lord, Krishna. And through these songs and

her devotion she has left behind a legacy of thoughts and ways of making one's

soul reach Lord Krishna.

It is through love that she communes with God. " Mira's Lord is none other than

Giridhara. " (Giridhara being Krishna) - these are usually the ending words of

Meera's poems which are predominantly an expression of her oneness with Krishna.

Mira's love for Krishna is all-encompassing. The lord of her heart and soul, she

used to weep for him and spend sleepless nights for a sight of him. Mirabai says

she had " sold " herself - surrendered herself - completely to him. She says " I am

colored with the color of dusk " , dusk implying the color of Krishna. As if her

love for Krishna permeated every pore of her body, just like dye permeates a

garment. This aspect of union through surrender is predominant in Mira's poetry.

What set apart Meera from the other devotees of Krishna was that she looked upon

Krishna as her husband, rather than only as a master. She believed that in her

previous life she was one of the several gopis in Vrindavan, in love with

Krishna. Mira used to consider herself an incarnation of one of the gopis

mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, called Lalita, a very close female companion

of Radha, who was the greatest devotee and a beloved of Lord Krishna.

Mirabai's state of mind is typically called 'Madhurya' by the Vaishnavas,

followers of a prominent school of Hinduism. In such a state, love for God

acquires the flavor of a relationship that is found in the union of the lover

with the beloved.

A Mira poem is traditionally called a Pada, a term used by the 14th century

preachers for a small spiritual song. This is usually composed in simple rhythms

and carries a refrain within itself. Her collection of songs is called the

Padavali. Primarily devotional in nature, Mirabai uses sprinklings of eroticism

in her songs. The typicality of Indian love poetry of those days was used by

Mirabai but as an instrument to express her deepest emotions felt for her lord.

Her typical medium of singing was Vraja-bhasha, a dialect of Hindi spoken in and

around Vrindavan (the childhood home of Krishna), sometimes mixed with

Rajasthani.

'We have no Radhas or Miras to remind us of Krishna ... weep my heart!'

Hare krishna

Hare Rama

guruvayur [guruvayur ]On

Behalf Of krishnanujan

Friday, December 23, 2005 11:15 AM

guruvayur

[Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] BHAKTISANDESAM / MIRABAI

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 !

Om Namo Narayanaya:

December 24, 2005

Sarvam Krishna Mayam!! Dear Krishnanujan... Could you please give the details about Saint Akkamadevi... please... Krishnarpanam krishnanujan <krishnanujan wrote: Saint Mirabai (1547-1614 A.D.)A true and perfect devotee of Bhagavan Shree KrishnaAs 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 !

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