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Parabola Magazine
| Miras Love |
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 MIRA'S LOVE By Rama Devaupta Love for the Divine conquers all in Rava Devagupta's telling of the story of Mirabai, princess and saint. More than five hundred years ago, in the arid western state of Rajasthan in India, a baby girl named Mira was born in the royal family of Merta. Little did anybody know, or much less predict, that the daughter of Raja Ratan Singh would exemplify para bhakti-the highest expression of divine love-and become immortal in the hearts of music lovers and devotees. Listening to Mira's life story, one cannot help but be anguished and pained by the tremendous ordeals she had to endure. And yet an examination of her many compositions reveals that she never complained about her physical hardships and sufferings. Nor did she ever waver-even momentarily-from her chosen path to union with her Lord, Krishna, whose many names include Hari, Giridhara, Muralidhara, Gopala, Govinda, and Shyam. As far as Mira was concerned, everything in life, whether good or bad, was a gift of love sent by her Beloved. She accepted them unquestioningly with a heart filled with love and devotion and dreamed of nothing except becoming one with Shyam. Mira exhibited signs of divine love from early childhood. When she was three years old, a wandering sannyasi (holy man) visited the palace and stayed overnight. He was a devotee of Lord Krishna and his only possession was a murti (statue) of the dark-skinned Shyam. Instantly attracted, Mira decided that the image belonged to her. When the surprised sannyasi refused to part with it, she refused all food and drink and wept non-stop. In the ensuing battle of wills, none of the family members could change her mind. The sannyasi sorrowfully realized that God had chosen the little girl's heart to be His dwelling and he had no choice but to meekly surrender.... |
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