Mirabai, a 16th century songwriter and poet, was a devotee of Bhakti and praised Lord Krishna through pure love. She defied the strict rules of her husband and family to follow her devotion to Krishna, becoming an itinerant worshiper and inspiring many Indian women.
Mirabai is one of the most commemorated women in Indian history. Sometimes known as Meera, she was a 16th century songwriter and poet. Many of Mirabai’s songs are still sung today in India and her spirit and rebellious nature have been an inspiration to Indian women.
Much of Mirabai’s history has been passed down from generation to generation. In a time when it didn’t feel right, she was a woman who carved her own way into her world. Mirabai was a devotee of Bhakti, which is a form of Hinduism. Bhakti followers praised their god Krishna through pure love. Many worshipers would give up all their possessions and become wandering teachers or band together and form communities.
For Bhakti there is no caste system and there is also no distinction between color and gender. Female worshipers like Mirabai would have given up their husbands and families to worship fully. They would live among people from different levels of society who would normally be forbidden in their own society.
Mirabai was a member of an aristocratic family known as Rajputs. She was married to Prince Bhoj Raj and from the very beginning her devotion to her Bhakti would cause her many problems. She refused to devote herself to her husband’s god saying that she was already devoted to Lord Krishna. After only three years of marriage, Mirabai’s husband died. Unlike other women of her upper caste, Mirabai refused to join her husband on the funeral pyre.
After her husband’s death, Mirabai now had more time to devote herself to her cult. Worship of her took the form of singing and dancing, often in public places. Mirabai’s name became known all over India and attracted many followers of all castes. According to legend, her husband’s family was so shocked by her behavior that he tried to have her killed.
Her family is also shocked by her behavior and they also disapprove of her. Mirabai then became an itinerant worshiper and made many pilgrimages to places associated with Krishna. Her fame spread and her songs were now known and sung by many people.
Mirabai was essentially a woman who fought through many obstacles to praise her god. She is seen as a woman who has defied the strict rules of her husband and family to follow her devotion to Krishna. Her rejection of a life of wealth to express themselves instead through song and her devotion inspires many Indian women.
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