Bishwanath Singh:
Few friends of mine rang me up and requested you me to write more about Mira Bai who is a well-known to the world.Here is my write-up that may be of interest to all my friends,relatives and well-wishers on the eve of Navratra.
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Bishwanath Singh:
Let me on the very first onset pay my humble obeisance’s to the lotus feet of Mira Bai and seek her bliss to give me wisdom to write more about her based on many legendry stories and literatures!Mirabai was born in 1504 AD at Chaukari villa...ge in Merta District of Rajasthan. Merta was a small state in Marwar, Rajasthan ruled by the Ranthors, great devotees of Vishnu. Her father, Ratan Singh, was the second son of Rao Duda ji, a descendent of Rao Jodha ji Rathor, the founder of Jodhpur. Meerabai was raised and nurtured by her grandfather. As customary with royal families, her education included the knowledge of scriptures, music, archery, fencing, horseback riding and driving chariots – she was also trained to wield weapons in case of a war. However, Mira Bai also grew up amidst an atmosphere of total Krishna consciousness, which was responsible in moulding her life on the path of total devotion towards Lord Krishna.When Mirabai was only three years old, a wandering Sadhu came to her family’s home and gave a doll of Sri Krishna to her father. Her father took this is as a special blessing, but was initially unwilling to give it to her daughter, because she felt she would not appreciate it. However Mira had, at first sight, become deeply enamoured with this doll. She refused to eat until the doll of Sri Krishna was given to her.When she was just four years of age, she manifested her deep devotion to Krishna. Mira Bai watched a marriage procession in front of her residence. Mira Bai, the child, spotted the well-dressed bridegroom and asked her mother innocently, "Dear mother, who will be my bridegroom?" Mira Bai’s mother smiled, and half in jest and half in earnest, pointed towards the image of Sri Krishna and said, "My dear Mira, Lord Krishna - this beautiful fellow – is going to be your bridegroom". Soon after, Mira Bai’s mother passed on. As Mira Bai grew up, her desire to be with her Krishna grew intensely and she believed that Lord Krishna would come to marry her. In due course, she became firmly convinced that Krishna was to be her husband. Mira Bai was soft-spoken, sweet, mild-mannered, gifted, and sang with a melodious voice. She was reputed to be one of the most extraordinary beauties of her time with her fame spreading to several kingdoms and provinces. Her fame spread far and wide. Rana Sangram Singh, commonly known as Rana Sangha, the powerful King of Mewar, approached Rao Duda for Mira Bai’s hand in marriage to his son Bhojraj (also known as Rana Kumbha or Kumbha Rana). Bhojraj wanted to marry Mira Bai for her pious nature and divine intent. Rao Duda agreed to the union. However, Meerabai could not bear the thought of marrying a human being when her heart was filled with thoughts about her Krishna. But unable to go against her beloved grandfather’s word, she finally consented to the marriage. Mira Bai was wed to Rana Kumbha in 1513, before she turned 14. As ordained, Mira Bai was dutiful. She left for (Chittorgarh) Mewar with the Rana Kumbha.After her household duties were over, Mira would go to the temple of Lord Krishna, worship, sing and dance before Lord Krishna’s Idol daily. Kumbha Rana’s mother and other ladies of the palace did not like the ways of Mira Bai, as they were worldly-minded and jealous. Mira Bai’s mother-in-law forced her to worship Durga and admonished her often. But Meerabai maintained, "I have already given up my life to my beloved Lord Krishna". Mira Bai’s sister-in-law Udabai formed a conspiracy and began to defame the innocent Mira. She informed Rana Kumbha that Meera was in secret love with some one, that she witnessed Mira talking to her lover(s) in the temple, and that she would show him the persons if he would accompany her one night. The ladies further raved that Meerabai, by her conduct, had brought a great slur on the reputation of the Rana family of Chittor.The enraged Kumbha ran with sword in hand towards Meera, but as luck would have it MIra had gone to her Krishna temple. A sober relative of the Rana counselled him, "Rana! You will forever repent for your hasty behaviour and consequences. Enquire into the allegation carefully and you will find the truth. Mira bai is a great devotee of the Lord. Remember why you sought her hand. Out of sheer jealousy the ladies might have concocted scandals against Mira Bai to incite you and ruin her". Kumbha calmed down and accompanied his sister who persistently took him to the temple at the dead of night. Rana Kumbha broke open the door, rushed inside and found Mira alone in her ecstatic mood talking and singing to the idol.The Rana shouted at Mira, "Mira, show me your lover with whom you are talking now". Mira replied, "There sits He—my Lord—the Nanichora who has stolen my heart". She went into a trance. The ladies floated other rumours that Meera was mixing very freely with Sadhus. Mira was unaffected by such scandals and continued to invite Bhagavathas to join her in Krishna bhajan at the temple. She stood unruffled in the face of accusations from the royal family. When questioned about her marital responsibilities, Mira responded that it was Krishna to whom she was married. Kumbha Rana was heart-broken but remained a good husband and sympathizer of Mira until his death.Rana’s relatives began persecuting Mira in various ways, even though Mira had no desire for the throne. Mira was sent a basket with a cobra inside and a message that the basket contained a garland of flowers. Mira, after meditation, opened the basket and found inside a lovely idol of Sri Krishna with a garland of flowers. The relentless Rana (her brother-in-law) sent her a cup of poison with the message that it was nectar. Mira offered it to her Lord Krishna and took it as His Prasad. It was real nectar to her. The bed of nails that the Rana sent, transformed into a bed of roses when Mira reposed on it.When the torture and scandals continued, Mira sent a letter to Goswami Tulsidas and asked for his advice. She wrote, "Simply because I am constantly tortured by my relatives, I cannot abandon my Krishna. I am unable to carry on with my devotional practices in the palace. I have made Giridhar Gopala my friend from my very childhood. I feel a total bondage with him. I cannot break that bond".Tulsidas Ji sent a reply: "Abandon those who cannot understand you and who do not worship Rama or Shyama, even though they are your dearest relatives. Prahlada abandoned his father; Vibhishana left his brother Ravana; Bharat deserted his mother; Bali forsook even his Guru; the Gopasthrees, the women of Vraja, disowned their husbands to get to their Krishna. Their lives were all the happier for having done so. The relation with God and the love of God are the only elements that are true and eternal; all other relationships are unreal and temporary". Mira met up once again with her Guru and mentor Raidas, who is said to have lived to a ripe age of one hundred eighteen years. She went into the slums often to be in the satsang of this great teacher.The turning point in Mirabai’s life occurred when once Akbar and his court musician Tansen came in disguise to Chittor to hear Meera’s devotional and inspiring songs. Both entered the temple and listened to Mira’s soul - stirring songs to their heart’s content. Before he departed, he touched the holy feet of Mira and placed a necklace of priceless gems in front of the idol as a present. Somehow the news reached the Kumbha Rana that Akbar had entered the sacred temple in disguise, touched the feet of Mirabai and even presented her a necklace. The Rana became furious. He told Mira Bai, "Drown yourself in the river and never show your face to the world in future. You have brought great disgrace on my family".MIrabai obeyed the words of King. She proceeded to the river to drown herself. Let us join to pay our humble obeisances to her and seek her bliss to carry on her legacy of Shri Krishna Conciousness very truthfully and sincerely all over the world! The names of the Lord "Govinda, Giridhari, Gopala" remained always on lips of Mira Bai. She sang and danced in ecstasy on her way to the river. When she raised her feet from the ground, a hand from behind grasped her and embraced her. She t...urned behind and saw her beloved Giridhari. She fainted on him. After a few minutes she opened her eyes. Lord Krishna smiled and gently whispered: "My dear Meera, your life with your mortal relatives is over now. You are absolutely free. Be cheerful. You are and have always been mine."Much of what we know about Mirabai comes from her poetry. Her poetry express the longing and seeking of her soul for union with Sri Krishna. At time she expresses the pain of separation and at other times the ecstasy of divine union.She is counted as the front runner legendry figure in Krishna Conciousness whom we adore the most. She had spent many years of her life at Vrindavan and latter, last of her life at Vrindavan. None had seen when she died but historians say that she had joined Lord Krishna in disguise leaving her clothes rapped in Krishna’s deity in Ranchhor Rai’s temple at Dwarika in the year 1560.Her poems are still very popular even today and they are sung beautifully by the singers of repute. Her poetry expresses the longing and seeking of her soul for union with Sri Krishna. At time she expresses the pain of separation and at other times the ecstasy of divine union. Her devotional poems were designed to be sung as Bhajans and many are still sung today.One of the poem of Mirabai is reproduced below:
Aisi Lagi Lagan, Meera Ho Gai Magan,Aisi lagi lagan, meera ho gayi magan,Wo to gali-gali hari guna ganne lagi,Mehlo mein pali, ban ke jogun chali,Meera rani divani kahane lagi.Aisi lagi lagan, meera ho gayi magan.
Let us pay our respectful homage to that great saintly person who lived and died for spreading Krishna Conciousness amongst masses as a truly saintly person and ardent disciple of Lord Krishna whom she considered everything for her!
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Bishwanath Singh :
Mira Bai has been a legendry figure in Hindi world & Krishna Conciousness who shot to her fame through her writings of devotional songs and her fondled love for Lord Krishna whom she is use to consider everything of her life Though, she was married but did not enjoy her married life on a plea that she had already been ...wedded with Lord Krishna –such was her fondled love & affection for Lord Krishna.. Though, she was born in a palatial building but preferred to remain in hutment as a commoner singing devotional songs to please Lord Krishna in most simple dialect spoken locally. She had to go under many physical penances but she did not deter her fondled love for Krishna and gave up everything for him. She is counted as the front runner legendry figure in Krishna Conciousness whom we adore the most. She had spent many years of her life at Vrindavan and latter, last of her life at Vrindavan. None had seen when she died but historians say that she had joined Lord Krishna in disguise leaving her clothes rapped in Krishna’s deity in Ranchhor Rai’s temple at Dwarika in the year 1560.Her poems are still very popular even today and they are sung beautifully by the singers of repute. Thus, anything written or said about her will be the most welcome proposition. Let us pay our respectful homage to that great saintly person who lived and died for spreading Krishna Conciousness amongst masses as a truly saintly person and ardent disciple of Lord Krishna whom she considered everything for her!.
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· ShareYou and Tushar Devendrachaudhry like this.
Bishwanath Singh :
Mirabai was a devotee of the highest order. She was immune to the criticism and suffering of the world. She was born a princess but forsook the pleasures of a palace for begging on the streets of Vrindaban. She lived during a time of war an...d spiritual decline, but her life offered a shining example of the purest devotion. Many were inspired by her infectious devotion and spontaneous love for Sri Krishna. Mirabai showed how a seeker could attain union with God, only through love. Her only message was that Krishna was her all. Mira Bai is a legendry figure and well-known disciple of Lord Krishna who lived & died for Krishna Conciousness .Let us pay our humble obeisance's to her lotus feet!
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f.b.
October 16,2010.
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