The poetry of Mirabai

[Julie]

Spiritual Ascent in the poetry of Mirabai

Mirabai, also known as Meera Bai, is one of India’s most celebrated medieval poet-saints, whose spiritual journey through poetry has been cherished in the Bhakti tradition of Hinduism. Born into the Rajput royal family of Merta in Rajasthan around the early 16th century, Mirabai defied societal and familial expectations, dedicating her life solely to her divine love for Lord Krishna. Her poetry is an expression of her intense spiritual devotion and longing for union with the divine, an "ascent of spirit" that transcends worldly attachments. Mirabai’s work, preserved in oral and written traditions, has become symbolic of self-surrender, spiritual ecstasy, and devotion beyond the constraints of her era's orthodox norms.

Mirabai’s poetry is not only a testament to her dedication but also a journey through various stages of spiritual ascent. Her poems capture the pain of separation, the desire for union, and the ecstasy of devotion, creating an emotional and spiritual progression that can be seen as an ascent of the soul toward divine consciousness.

Mirabai’s poems depict the ascent of her spirit through stages of love, separation, surrender, and finally, union with the divine. This theme often begins with the pain of separation from Krishna, whom she sees not only as her god but also as her eternal lover and consort.

In the early stages of her spiritual journey, Mirabai’s poems reflect a longing and intense feeling of separation from Krishna. This feeling, though often painful, serves as the catalyst that pushes her toward the divine.

“I am yours, and you are mine;
Come what may, I will be yours.
I’ll climb the mountain of birth and death,
And meet you at the end.”
(Source: “Songs of the Saints of India” by John Stratton Hawley and Mark Juergensmeyer)

Separation is not merely an absence but becomes a source of divine inspiration in Mirabai’s poetry. She often describes herself as a “thirsty” soul longing for Krishna’s presence. This desire is almost Sufi-like in nature, where the pain itself becomes a method for surrendering to a higher spiritual path.

“O dark one, when will I find you?
You’ve made me helpless with love.
Like a fish on the sand, I writhe in pain.”
(Source: “Mirabai: Ecstatic Poems” translated by Robert Bly)

Note : Lord Krishna had dark skin, hence the address "O dark one"

Here, the “fish on the sand” imagery represents her spiritual anguish in separation, symbolizing her soul’s dependence on Krishna’s presence for survival. Such imagery highlights how separation acts as a form of purification, enabling her to transcend her individual self.

As Mirabai’s spiritual journey progresses, her poems begin to focus on the ecstatic joy of union with Krishna, culminating in an ascent beyond the dualities of self and divine. Her voice becomes one of unification, portraying herself as an inseparable part of Krishna’s essence.

“I have found the world’s beloved within my heart;
My heart has become the temple,
Where my dark one resides.”
(Source: “The Devotional Poems of Mirabai” translated by A.J. Alston)

In this verse, Mirabai’s identification of Krishna within her own heart represents the peak of her spiritual ascent.

The Final Stage of the Ascent

At the pinnacle of Mirabai’s spiritual ascent, her poetry often addresses the annihilation of the self. In this self-effacing devotion, Mirabai exemplifies the “I-thou” dynamic common in many Bhakti and Sufi traditions. Her sense of individual self fades, dissolving into her love for Krishna, representing the spiritual liberation of her soul.

“Mira belongs to her dark one;
To none else will she bow.”
(Source: “In the Dark of the Heart: Songs of Meera” translated by Shama Futehally)

Here, Mirabai declares her exclusive devotion, with “dark one” representing Krishna. The verse conveys her rejection of worldly authority, material ties, and even her own identity, symbolizing the ultimate liberation of her spirit through her devotion.

Mirabai’s poetry illustrates the ascent of the soul in its journey to achieve a spiritual union with the divine. Through longing, pain, surrender, and union, Mirabai’s poems trace a transcendental path that ultimately seeks to dissolve the self in the beloved. Her voice, though personal, resonates universally, representing an internalized journey that has influenced not only the Bhakti tradition but also the broader spiritual poetics across cultures.

added by Robin for October's topic

[Julie]

Unbreakable 

Unbreakable, O Lord,
Is the love
That binds me to You:
Like a diamond,
It breaks the hammer that strikes it.

My heart goes into You
As the polish goes into the gold.
As the lotus lives in its water,
I live in You.

Like the bird
That gazes all night
At the passing moon,
I have lost myself dwelling in You.

O my Beloved Return.

– Mirabai

***

Kangra painting of Mirabai playing the veena

[Tara]

Thank you. I need this joy at the moment, especially. Blessings