| |
|
|
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 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.
|
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? |
|
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.
|
Meera Temple |
|
After
the death of her 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 she was singing of Lai Giridhar and was dancing.
After her husband's death Rathan Simha became the king of
Mewar. The indignant Rana and his men made several attempts to kill her. Mira accepted everything without protest. She came out of every danger safely.
"The Rana sent to Mira a basket full of flowers with a snake concealed in it. Mira, engaged in worship, put her hand into the basket to take some flowers. What a wonder! The snake had changed into a
saligrama."
"Determined to kill Mira somehow the Rana sent a cup of poison. She prayed to Lord Krishna and drank the poison. The poison turned into nectar."
"The Rana got a bed of sharp nails made. Mira lay down on it as soon as it grew dark. The nails instead of piercing her body became flowers. Mira was saved from all these dangers by none other than her Lord. Intoxicated with immense love, she wanders all over in search of her Lord, dedicating herself to him entirely."
The Rana never tried to kill her openly. Mira came to know about this wish of
Rana. Mira set out for Brindavan. None troubled her there about family prestige.
After leaving the palace Mira came in contact with many great men and famous
poets at Brindavan. This strengthened her devotion and poetic talent.
After Ratan Simha the Second was murdered, Udaya Simha was crowned. He thought that if Mira lived alone in the company of monks, it would bring a bad name to the royal family. So he requested her to return to Chittore. Having once suffered many tortures there, the pious Mira did not wish to return to that cage.
She spend rest of her life at Brindavan. Once Mira said, 'A devotee suffers any kind of hardship for the sake of his God, He never gives up his God. By minding his own business, he reaches his goal.'.
Mira is immortal in the minds of Indian people.
|
|
