Explain how the biography of the saint poetess Mirabai has been primarily constructed. How did she defy the norms of society?

I. Biography of Mirabai : Mira, the devotee of Giridhar Gopal occupies special position among the saints of medieval times. The Ganges of devotion, which she flooded with the poetry springing out of her heart, influenced not on to barren land of Rajasthan but the whole of northern India.

Mira was born in Kurki or Chaukri Village of the paragana of Merta or Rajasthan in about 1516 AD. Mira was the daughter of Rana Ratan Singh Rathor, ruler of Jodhpur. Her mother died when she was only 4-5 years old. Her grandfather brought her up. She was much influenced by the religious ideas of her grandfather.

At the age of 18 years, Mira was married to Bhojraj, the son of Sangram Singh, the ruler of Mewar.But the married life of Mira was very short-lived. Only a year after her marriage, Mira’s husband died. Thus, Mira became a widow at an early age. After sometime, Mira’s father-in-law Rana Sangram Singh also died. Now Mira was left without any support. She, therefore, renouncing worldly atachments and lost in devotion to Lord Krishna. She showed hospitality towards saints, and wearing anklets in her feet, she took to dancing before the idol of Krishna. People at her in-law’s house took her activities at contrary to the dignity of the family. They, therefore, torturing her in different ways, tried to put an end to her life. It is said that fed up with her in-laws, Mira sought the advice of Tulsidas through a letter written to him. Tulsidas replied to Mira as under :

“Who does not love Rama and Sita, should be deserted like thousand of enemies, however affectionate he may be to you.”

Seeking this reply, Mira left home and went to Brindaban. After staying there for some time, Mira went to Dwarika. It is said that Brahmanas from her parental home as well as in-laws went to fetch her from Dwarika but she did not return. She died in Dwarika in 1574 AD.

II. How did Mirabai defy the norms of Society :

(a)    Mirabai (c. fifteenth-sixteenth centuries) is perhaps the best-known woman poet within the bhakti tradition. Biographies have been reconstructed primarily from the bhajans attributed to her, which were transmitted orally for centuries. According to these, she was a Rajput princess from Merta in Marwar who was married against her wishes to a prince of the Sisodia clan of Mewar, Rajasthan. She defied her husband and did not submit to the traditional role of wife and mother,instead recognising Krishna, the avatar of Vishnu as her lover.

(b)    According to some traditions, her preceptor was Raidas, a leather worker. This would indicate her defiance of the norms of caste society.

(c)    Although Mirabai did not attract a sect or group of followers, she has been recognised as a source of inspirations for centuries.