The Poetry Of Mirabai

Meerabai (also spelt Mirabai) was born a Rajput princess belonging to the Rathore clan in 1498 in Kudaki, Rajasthan in northern India. Despite being one of the most significant saints in the Bhakti tradition and an immensely popular religious poet as well as the subject of many films, books and stories throughout India and beyond, very few facts are actually known about her life including her date of birth. It is clear that her mother died when she was very young and she was greatly influenced by her father, also a worshipper of Krishna. From a young age, Meera's devotion to Krishna was absolute surrender and complete devotion and although reluctant due to this all consuming relationship, she did marry Prince Bhoj Raj of Chittor, arranged by her uncle in 1516. Her marriage only lasted 5 years due to the death of her husband and shortly after this her father-in-law, who was her protector, also died. Whilst it is not known exactly when her private spiritual zeal for Krishna as master, lord and lover became public, it is clear that she attended Satsangs (religious meetings) where she would sing and dance with others who shared her passion. She was forced to move from Chittor as she was persecuted by her remaining in-laws who wanted her to renounce all public displays of her faith, particularly by her brother-in-law, Vikramaditya, then king of Chittor, who it is believed tried to harm and kill her. She travelled throughout northern India always expressing her love for Krishna which was central to her life and inspired some 1300 bhajans (sacred songs) which were usually composed in a simple rhythm with a repeated refrain. Meera's poetry used everyday language with a sweetness of emotion and an underlying charm that brought instant and eternal popularity as is evident in this volume of her works. It is popularly believed that she spent her last years as a pilgrim in Dwarka Gujarat and miraculously merged with the image of Krishna in 1546.