________________
PLAYS
173
Mira, again, argues enthusiastically in favour of single-minded love for the Divine which consumes everything that is foul and human in the devotee. She explains to Ajit that she does not stand for renunciation, but according to her, one must love Gopal and live for Him and do His Will in joy. Form her long experience, she has discovered that when she moves a step towards her 'Gleaning Orient', she. inevitably, puts behind her this world of senses because she finds it as a stagnant bog."
Ajit is wonderstruck by the logical arguments put forward by Mira in favour of love of the Divine. To the amazement of other devotees present there. Ajit folds his hands and prays:
"Forgive me:1, too, cannot..at all.explain....
But you... your voice... your tears and... above all
Your unmistakable sincerity.
Has touched a chord... and so continue, I pray.
And believe me, I am not quite what I seem.
A time was... when I, too, had faith and fervour.
But pride has been my downfall... so go on:
I have found my long-lost mother in you again !"35 The conversion looks convincing.
In Act III, Mira, at her guru's bidding answers various queries of Ajit and Pundarik. Ajit asks her how an earthly person can aspire to win 'the blue beating against one's bars.' He wants to know why we have to cry in vain for Him when He is our lover or beloved. Through the three stages of learning in her own life. Mira has realized that on this path, one has to stake everything one owns only to be owned by Gopal. It is not easy. The path towards divine bliss is most painful.
Ajit finds it very difficult to understand how the infinite Godhead who is self-fulfilled, could seek to be born as a mortal to make love in the human. rhythm to us. Sanatan explains how, out of love for human souls, He assumes an avatar and delights human beings by his glorious lila, narlila:
"Oh, how He assumes our ways, comports Himself Like a mortal, seeks us out, in Grace, even deigns. To laugh and parley with us, so we may learn To play at hide and seek with Him in rapture, As one of us and-loving Him-open ourselves To His victorious light that quells the inherent
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org