Mirabai
c. 1498 – c. 1546
Mirabai (c. 1498 – c. 1546) was a Rajput princess and one of the most celebrated poet-saints of the Bhakti movement. Devoted to Krishna from childhood, she renounced courtly life and composed hundreds of ecstatic devotional songs (bhajans) that are still sung across India today.
Lived at the same time
Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Mirabai.
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Life events
Born a Rajput princess in the village of Kudki in the Merta district of present-day Rajasthan.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgMarried into the ruling Sisodia dynasty of Mewar; her devotion to Krishna over her marital duties scandalised the court.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgComposed hundreds of ecstatic songs to Krishna in Rajasthani and Braj Bhasha; thousands of padas are attributed to her in the Bhakti tradition.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHer husband died around 1521 from wounds sustained in war; Mirabai refused to follow customs expected of a royal widow.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHagiographies recount that hostile in-laws sent her poison and a venomous snake, which her devotion turned harmless — episodes central to her legend.
Abandoned princely life to become a wandering devotee of Krishna, joining sadhus and pilgrims — a radical act for a Rajput noblewoman.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgTravelled to Vrindavan, the holy town associated with Krishna's youth, where she composed and sang her bhajans.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgSpent her final years at the great Krishna temple town of Dwarka in Gujarat.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgTradition holds that she merged into the image of Krishna at the Dwarka temple around 1546.
Source: en.wikipedia.org