Mirabai

Introduction

Mirabai (1498-1547) is the most celebrated female saint-poet of the Indian Bhakti movement. She was a Rajput princess from Rajasthan who renounced royal splendor and worldly bonds to dedicate her life to the devotion of Lord Krishna. Her bhajans and verses are an extraordinary expression of her unwavering love and longing for Krishna. “Mere to Giridhar Gopal, dusro na koi” (My Lord is Giridhar Gopal, there is no other) — this is the essence of her life.

Life

Mirabai was born in 1498 in the village of Kudki in the Merta district of Rajasthan into a Rathore Rajput family. Her father, Ratan Singh Rathore, was the ruler of Merta. The seeds of Krishna devotion sprouted in her heart during early childhood. It is said that as a child, she received a Krishna idol from a wandering saint and accepted Krishna as her husband.

She was married to Bhojraj, the son of Rana Sanga of Mewar. A few years after marriage, Bhojraj died in battle. Mira refused to commit sati, declaring that her true husband was Lord Krishna. This brought her severe opposition and persecution from the royal family. It is said she was sent a cup of poison and a snake, but by Krishna’s grace she survived each attempt.

Eventually, she left the royal palace and immersed herself in Krishna devotion in Vrindavan and Dwarka. According to tradition, she merged into the idol of Krishna at the Ranchhodrai temple in Dwarka.

Major Works

• Mira Padavali — A collection of all of Mira’s devotional verses and bhajans, containing poems of love for Krishna, pangs of separation, surrender, and self-offering.
• Narsi Ji Ka Mayra — A composition based on the story of the marriage of Narsi Mehta’s daughter.
• Rag Govind — Devotional verses to Krishna composed in various ragas (musical modes).
• Geet Govind Ki Tika — Mira’s commentary on Jayadeva’s Geet Govind.

Teachings

• Pure love-devotion — Mira taught that the simplest path to God is pure, unconditional love. Her devotion had no conditions, no fear, and no worldly expectation.
• Freedom from worldly bonds — By renouncing royal luxury, family honor, and social conventions, she demonstrated that everything can be abandoned for true devotion.
• Transcending social judgment — “People say Mira has gone mad” — Mira taught that one should not worry about social judgment in devotion.
• Devotion even in separation — Yearning for Krishna in separation is also a form of devotion. Love is purified by burning in the fire of longing.
• Courage and conviction — Despite social opposition, persecution by the royal family, and the hardships of life, Mira never abandoned her devotion. This stands as testimony to her extraordinary courage and faith.