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Avaust, 1908.]
THE LEGEND OF MIRA BAI THE RAJPUT POETESS.
831
The Rana, on being informed of Mira Bal's determination, became beside himself with rage, and sent Miri Baf a cup of poison known as charnámrit, that is, water in which an image had been bathed.
The Marathi chronicler states that the poison was sent Mira by the hand of her mother, who overcome by maternal affection shed tears as she bore it. To disobey the Bana, the supreme ruler of the state, was impossible, and so her beloved daughter must die. When the cap was offered to Mira Bai, she said "The body is perishable, so, mother, why weep if it perish in the service of Krishna ? There need be no regret at the disappearance of a mirage or at the failure of the son of a barren woman to wed. It is not right to say that the moon perishes on the thirtieth day of the lunar month. Your lamentations are as vain as the grief of the bee at the fading of an imaginary flower. As the fruit of a tree falls, sooner or later, so I have fallen at Krisha's feet. A pearl born in the ocean is turned into an ornament by the rich, so I who am sprung from you shall glitter in Krishna's diadem. The world itself is an illusion, wherefore mourn not for me."
Mira Bat's only grief at leaving her body was that the worship of Krishna might decline. Having informed the god of her father-in-law's intention, she thus apostrophised the object of her worship
"People will say that the king poisoned his daughter because she worshipped thee. I fear there· fore that thy worship shall be neglected, and the apprehension causeth me poignant misery. Who
will now put on thy decorations ? Who will put the saffron mark on thy forehead, attach dazzling rings to thine ears, twine a garland of pearls round thy neck, girdle thee with a jewelled zone, tie on thy golden armlets and anklets, light incense to gratify thy nostrils, make thee offerings of sweet basil, present thee with sacred food to satisfy thy hunger, and prostrate himself in adoration before thee? My father-in-law hath already abandoned thy worship in his displeasure with me, others too will reproach thee with my death and cease to do thee homage. But after all why should I be anxious ? Thoa thyself knowest the past, the present and the future. Thou hast ever preserved thy saints from poison, fire, and sword, so why should I be anxious now ?"
On this Mira BA pat the cap of poison on her head in token of submission, and then obeerfully drank it off. On that occasion she composed the following verses :
Radha and Krishņa dwell in my heart. Some say that Miri is insane, others that she hath disgraced her family. Opening hor veil and haring her breast, she danceth with delight before her god. In the bowers of Bindraban, Krishạn with the tilak on his forehead gladdeneth my heart. The Ranå sent a cup of poison and Mirá drank it with delight.
Ming's lord is the all-wise Girdhar; she is bound to his service,
Tho Band waited to hear of Mira's death, but her life was miraculously preserved, and her cheeks gradually assumed a higher bloom. She devoted herself to the further decoration and ornamentation of the image, and decked it out in fashions ever new. She sang the praises of her god and filled her heart with delight and immortal love. She also composed the following on this occasion :
I knew the Rana had given me poison. God who caused my boat to float across, separated the milk and water for me. Until the gold is annealed, it is not perfectly pare, O king, keep thine own family in seclusion; I am the wife of another." I sacrifice my mind and body to the saint even though he be a pariah ; I have sold myself
to God. Mira for the sake of worshipping the lord Girdhar is entangled in the feet of holy men.
When the Bana found that the poison had produced no effect he appointed tipstaffs to watch Mira BAT, and report when she again conferred with faqiri, so that she might be put to death when . That is, saved me in the ordeal.
I am wodded to Girdhar LAI, not to thy sov,
