21-01-2016 Thursday
Holy Mother By Swami Nikhilananda: 017

Introduction: Women of India - 14

We shall bring this section to a close with the story of God-intoxicated Mira. Her name has been cherished by Hindu religious devotees for the past four hundred years and is not altogether unknown to the West. Mirabai was born towards the end of the fifteenth or in the early part of the sixteenth century. A princess by both birth and marriage, she gave her heart and soul to her Chosen Ideal, Sri Krishna, and renounced the world at an early age in quest of her Divine Beloved. She spent many years in Mathura and Vrindavan, places associated with the memory of Sri Krishna, and died in 1546. It is said that the Emperor Akbar visited her, attracted by her piety. Mirabai has left behind a precious legacy in the form of devotional songs which have been sung by Hindus of all classes from Mahatma Gandhi to the humblest peasant. Imbued with simplicity of feeling and devotion to God, they have an irresistible appeal.

Mira was not deterred from her spiritual path by the many temptations of her social position or the criticism of her contemporaries, nor by her relatives’ persecution. Completely detached from the world, she always sought the company of holy men and found solace in repetition of God’s name.

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Holy Mother - Being the Life of Sri Sarada Devi Wife of Sri Ramakrishna And Helpmate in his Mission By Swami Nikhilananda p: 9 – 10

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