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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[AUGUST, 1903.
detected in the act. She was in the habit of laughing and holding amoroas converse with the image. One day a tipstaff went and said to the king-"At this very moment Mira Bát is holding conversation and laughing and joking with some one." The king took up his sword, and called out to her to open the folding doors. He asked her where the person was with whom she had been holding such pleasant discourse. She replied - "There he is before thee, my image, mine adored. Open thine eyes and look. He is neither afraid nor ashamed of thee."
The Bhagat M14 states that MirA BAI and the image had been playing at [Indian] draughts, and at the time of the Rand's entrance the idol actually extended its arm to move a piece. The Râna on witnessing the miracle became ashamed. There was, however, no real impression made on his obdurate heart. The saying is that until the saints of God show favor, God will not do 80. The king meditated the murder of saint, so " why should God set his thoughts aright?"
Once when Mira Bai was ill she composed the following -
Krishṇa with the large eyes looked at me, and smiled As I was going to draw water from the Jamna and the vessel glittered on my head. Since then the delightful image of the dark and beautiful one hath dwelt in my heart. You may write and bring me incantations, you may write and bring me spells, grind
medicine and give it me, that will not cure me. If any one bring me Krishņa as my physician I will gladly arise. His eye-brows are bows, his eyes the arrows which he fitteth thereto, and draweth to pierce me.
Mird's lord is the wise Girdhar; how can I abide at home?
A dissolute and abandoned person tried to tempt Miri Bat's virtue. He told her that he was armed with Girdhar LÁl's permission to give her such pleasure as she could only obtain from man's embraces. She replied that she humbly submitted to Girdhar Lal's order, but that they must first dine. She meantime had a couch placed and dressed in the enclosure where saints were assembled. She there addressed her wonld-be paramour — "Thon needest not be ashamed or afraid of any one, as the order of Girdhar Lal is n.overy account proper." The man replied -"Does any one do such things before others." She said she knew of no secret plaže, for God was everywhere present. He soes the good and bad acts of all and rewards men according to their deserts. On hearing this the ruffian turned pale, and vice gave place to virtue in his heart. He fell at her feet and with clasped hands asked her mercy and divine intercession. Mira Bâf felt compassion and brought him, face to face with God.
Tulat Das, according to all received accounts, lived nearly a centary after Mira Bai, but sotne poets have made them oontemporaries. The following letter to Tulsi Das is attributed to Mira Bai:
To the holy lord Tolst Das, the virtuons, the remover of sin, greeting - I ever bow to thee, dispel all my sorrow. All my husband's relations give me continual annoyance. They cause me to endure great suffering when I associate with saints, and perform my
worship. Since childhood Mira hath contracted love for Girdhar Lal: She cannot now divest herself of it in any way; it completely overpowereth her. Thou art to me as a father and mother ; thou cunferrest happiness on God's saints.
Write and inform me what is proper for me to do. Talat Dus's reply -
Those who love not Ram and Stta . Should be abandoned as if they were millions of enemies, however much we love them.
Vaideh Siti WM No onlled boost born of the king of Videhe.
