|
Meerabai
Meerabai is so popular among masses not only in Rajasthan but all
over India that still her songs have been on the lips of people for over four hundred years.
The moving songs of Mira who had won the hearts of the people are still on their lips and so she lives still.
Mira fixed her mind on Giridhar Gopal (Lord
Krishna) and sang in praise of him. The song comes floating across of hundred years:
"Mere
tho Girdhar Gopal dusro na koi"
(I Have None But Giridhar Gopal )
Nearly AD 1500, Mira was brought up in the palace of her grandfather.
In the early childhood she received lessons in music and dance. Mira had been worshipping
Lord Krishna right from her childhood and always kept the idol of Sri Krishna with her,
given by grandfather. After her grandfather's it was decided that she was to marry
Bhojaraja, the crown prince of Chittore, the son of Rana Sanga. The marriage was celebrated
in A.D.1516. Mira had placed the idol of Sri Krishna by her side even on the bridal seat.
The family, which Mira entered, was renowned for bravery and
heroism but they worshipped the Goddess of Power in the forms of
Durga, Kali, Chamundi and Parvathi. Hence Mira's devotion to Sri Krishna began to cause displeasure among the members of her husband's family.
Mira's mother-in-law, in particular, did not like it at all that Mira showed, in the presence of all people, that Sri Krishna was her husband.
Though Mira had firmly believed even from her young age that Sri Krishna was her Lord, there is nothing to show in real life that she neglected her husband.
Day by day she went on spending more and more time in the company of monks and other holy people, meditating upon Sri Krishna. At last
her husband king Bhojaraja got a temple built exclusively for her near the palace.
This provided Mira with a place where she could worship Sri Krishna in freedom. She used to spend the whole day in song and dance there.
In the view of others, her intense devotion was nothing but a craze. All the family members were angry and had nothing but contempt for
her, because king Bhojaraja had immense love for her. Therefore no one had the courage to say anything against her.
But Bhojaraja passed away in 1521. He had been wounded in a battle in 1518, and the wounds proved fatal. Within about five years after her marriage Mira became a widow. She was only, twenty-three
years at this time.
After the death of Mira husband, there was no one to care for her.
At home those who were opposed to her secretly till then, now began to talk about her openly.
But she was known among the people as 'a great saint', and as the 'Radha of Kaliyuga'. At the
temple when Mira singing and dancing before Krishna, her face
glows like a lamp. Her voice was so sweet that the listeners stood amazed and thrilled. Forgetful of the entire world
Mira was singing of Lai Giridhar.. and dancing in the praise of Lord Krishna. |
Meerabai
एरी मै तो
प्रेम-दिवानी
मेरो दरद
न जाणै कोय
घायल की
गत घायल
जांणे,
और न जांणे कोय
सूली ऊपर
सेज पिया की,
किसविघ
मिलणौ होय?
Meera Temple |
|
