MEERABAI
: Queen of Divine Love (1504-1550)
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| Meera was born in 1504 A.D. at Chaukari village in Merta District of
Rajasthan. Her father, Ratan Singh, was the second son of Rao Dudaji, a descendent of Rao
Jodhaji Rather, the founder of Jodhpur. Meera's mother died when she was ten year old. She
then came to live with her grandfather who died in 1515. Her father's elder brother Vikram
Deo who succeeded to the throne arranged her marriage with Prince Bho] Raj, the eldest son
of Rana Sanga of Chitter. This marriage raised Meera to a very high social status as the
ruler of Chitter was considered to be the leader of the Hindu princes. But luck didn't
favor Princess Meera. By 1527 A.D. she had lost her father, her husband and her
fatherin-law as well. Meera, who dedicated her life to Lord Krishna, accepted these
bereavements as a matter of course At the lime
Meera was born there was widespread political and social turmoil in India. Bloody
conflicts for petty selfish gains, disrespect for human life and hatred for others was a
norm. Meera was bewildered and at a loss to understand all that was going on all around.
She was in search of peace which she found in Chaitanya's Vaishnav Panth and dedicated her
life to the love of Lord Krislina.
Meera began to devote most of her time in prayer and worship and did
not pay any attention to the etiquettes of a royal household. This led her to be subjected
to great hardships and punishments. VJhen these physical hardships became intolerable and
came in the way of prayer to Krishna, whom she addressed as 'Giridhar Nagar'
in fond reverence, she left the palace for good and went to the pilgrimage of Mathura,
Vrindavana and finally to Dwarika.
Meera was a born poetess. She expressed in a beautiful style her
intense and deep love of God. She composed hundreds of poems in a simple, unpretentious
style. They are full of vivacity and feelings. No poetess in the history of India enjoys a
greater respectthan Meera. Her poems have gained a unique popularity and are sung by the
rich and the poor alike, even to this day. She spent her life dancing In trance and
singing the attributes of her Beloved Krishna till she left this mortal world in 1550 to
be united with Him. She was a great Hindu woman saint and will always be remembered. |
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Additional Resources
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 Amar Chitra Katha : Mirabai |
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