Mirabai

It is believed that Mirabai was born in 1498 AD in the Chaukari village of Merta, a feudatory estate in the state of Rajasthan. However, according to some accounts the place of her birth was Kudki, not Chaukari.

Mira’s father Ratan Singh Rathore was the younger son of Rao Dudaji, the ruler of the kingdom. He spent most of his time away from home fighting the Mughals. According to one accounts 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, who was a devout Vaishnav. From him Mira received lessons in religion, politics and government. She was also well educated in music and art.

One day, when her parents were still alive, Mira saw a bridegroom being taken to the wedding venue in procession. Like all children of her age she was attracted by the jamboree. Her mother explained to her what it was all about and hearing that, little Mira wondered who her bridegroom was. At this, her mother jest fully said, “You have Lord Krishna as your husband.” Little did she realize that her words would change her daughter’s life forever.

Some time later, a wandering sage came to Merta. He had an idol of Lord Krishna with him. Before leaving the fortress town, he handed over the idol to Mira. He also taught her how to worship the Lord. Mira was delighted.

As Mira began to grow up her guardians began to look for a groom for Mira. That she considered herself wife of Lord Krishna meant nothing to them. In 1516, she was married off to Prince Bhoj Raj, the crown prince of Mewar, and the eldest son of Rana Sangram Singh.

After marriage, Mira went off to live in the Chittor Fort with her husband and his family. However, she still considered Lord Krishna to be her husband and remained detached from the worldly affairs.

Bhoj Raj was initially confused and could not understand what to do. In the beginning he tried to pull Mira back into the worldly life. Soon enough he began to appreciate her and before long, a relationship, based on friendship and mutual respect, began to grow between them. It is said that Bhoj Raj protected her young wife from all kinds of criticism and encouraged her to write poems. He also built the temple of Lord Krishna within the fort complex so that Mira could serve her Lord at will.

Unfortunately, Bhoj Raj died in a battle in the year 1521. the death had a profound effect on Mira; she not only lost a friend, but also her mentor and her protector. They did not have any children.

With the death of her husband Bhoj Raj, 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. This was not taken kindly by the royal household and they tried to stop her. However, Mira did not let anything to come in her way. She began to concentrate on the spiritual practices more and more.

Mirabai has left a rich collection of poems. The impassionate emotions displayed by these poems have such a universal appeal that they have been translated in many languages, including English.