Mirabai (or Meera Bai) was a 16th-century Rajput
princess and legendary Hindu poet-saint from Rajasthan, renowned for her passionate, devotional poetry (bhajans) dedicated to Lord Krishna, whom she saw as her divine husband. She defied royal norms, renounced worldly life after her husband's
death, and became a wandering mystic, symbolizing spiritual
freedom and steadfast love, inspiring millions through her heartfelt songs of divine longing.
Key Aspects of Mirabai's Life & Legacy:
Royal Beginnings, Spiritual Calling: Born a princess, Mirabai received a divine vision of Krishna as a
child, making him the center of her life, a devotion that intensified after marrying a
prince.
Rejection of Worldly Life: After her husband's
early death, she refused to conform to the strict widowhood customs, rejecting palace life for spiritual wandering and devotion.
Poetry (Bhajans): She composed hundreds of simple, powerful songs (bhajans) expressing
deep spiritual yearning, spiritual ecstasy, and critiques of societal hypocrisy, which are still sung widely.
Legend & Influence: Stories of her persecution by in-laws and miraculous escapes are central to her legend, solidifying her place as a cherished saint in the Bhakti movement.