Mirabai who is often known as an incarnation of Radha, was born in Samvat 1556-57 or 1498 A.D. in the village Kurkhi, near Merta, a small state in Marwar, Rajasthan. She is celebrated as a great saint, Hindu mystic poetess and devotee of Bhagwan Krishna. She was widely known as a cherished figure in the Bhakti movement culture as figured in Bhaktmal- a poem in the Braja language that gives short biographies of more than two-hundred Bhaktas.
Mirabai’s life is important and has relevance today, because her story nullifies the narratives of lack of creative life among Indian women folk in earlier times. It is believed that Mirabai was born in 1498 AD in the Chaukari village of Merta, a feudatory estate in the state of Rajasthan. She was the daughter of Ratan Singh Ranthor- younger son of Rao Dudaji, the ruler of the kingdom. He spent most of his time away from home fighting the Mughals. 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 by her grandfather Rao Dudaji. She was also well educated in music and art.
She learnt to worship Shri Krishna from her childhood. When she was four years of age, she manifested religious tendencies. Once there was a marriage procession in front of her residence. The bridegroom was nicely dressed. Mira, who was only a child saw the bridegroom and said to her mother innocently, ‘Dear mother, who is my bridegroom? Her 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 iamge- is your bridegroom’.
Child Mira started to love the murti of Krishna very much. She spent much of her time in bathing and dressing the image. She worshipped the image, she danced about the image in ecstasy. She sang beautiful songs in front of the image and used to talk to the idol.
Mira moved to Vrindavan and led the life of hermit, writing poems, having discourses with other sages and interacting at will with the devotees. She also undertook pilgrimages, visiting places associated with Lord Krishna. It is difficult to find a parallel to this personality- a saint, a philosopher, a poet and a sage. She was a versatile genius and magnanimous soul. Her life has a charm, with beauty and marvel. She was a princess but she abandoned the pleasures and luxuries incident to her high station, and chose instead, a life of poverty, austerity, Tyaga, Titiksha and Vairagya. Mirabai is considered as one of the great female saints of India and her songs are still sung. Moreover, there have been hundreds of songs composed in her honour and there are festivals devoted to her that take place around the time of Dussehra in Rajasthan.
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