Rajasthan province of India is called the mine of heroes, but Mirabai, who gave up her body, mind and pleasures of royal palaces for the love of Shri Krishna, has also purified this land with the sand of her feet. The credit for giving birth to interesting bhajans in English literature goes to Meera. His spiritual practice was in the company of sadhus and singing hymns while playing Ektara. Meera immortalized herself by singing Mere To Girdhar Gopal, Doosro Na Koi..
Meera was born on March 23, 1498 in the house of Rao Ratan Singh of Merta. When Meera was three years old, her father died and her mother died when she was ten years old. When Meera was very young, on the occasion of a marriage she asked her mother, “Who is my husband?” Mother laughingly pointed towards the statue of Shri Krishna and said that this is your husband. Innocent Meera accepted this as truth and made Shri Krishna sit in her mind-temple.
After leaving the protection of her mother and father, Meera started living with her grandfather Rao Dudaji. When girls of her age used to play, Meera used to sit in front of the statue of Shri Krishna and talk to them. After some time his grandfather also passed away. Now Rao Veeramdev sat on the throne. He married Meera to Bhojraj, the elder son of Rana Sanga, the famous king of Chittor. In this way, Meera came to her in-laws’ house, but she did not forget to bring the idol of her favorite god Shri Krishna with her.
Meera’s devotion to Shri Krishna and her married life were going on happily. Raja Bhoj was also happy, but unfortunately Raja Bhojraj died after ten years of marriage. Now Meera was completely dedicated to Shri Krishna. The news of his devotion spread everywhere. People started coming to see him from far and wide. Meera often lost her senses while dancing with anklets tied on her feet.
Meera’s mother-in-law, sister-in-law and Rana Vikramajeet did not like this. It was against their reputation that the daughter-in-law of the royal family danced and sang among the common people in such a delirious manner. He tried to convince Meera, but she had already risen above worldly respect. There was no difference in their activities. Ultimately, Rana sent him a cup of poison as Prasad of Lord Krishna.
Meera drank it, but everyone was surprised when it had no effect on Meera. Rana’s anger increased further. He kept a black snake in a box and sent it to Meera, but that snake also became a garland of flowers. Now Meera understood that she should leave Mewar. Therefore, she first came to Mathura-Vrindavan and then to Dwarka. After this many calamities befell Chittor.
Rana lost the throne and died in the war. Seeing this, the people of Mewar went to Dwarka to bring him back. Meera did not want to come, but she could not avoid the public’s request. She went to Ranchod temple to bid farewell, but she became so engrossed in the worship that she lost her body there. Thus, in 1573 AD, Meera, who was crazy about Shri Krishna, ended her life in Dwarka itself. -Suresh Babu Mishra, Sahitya Bhushan, Bareilly.
