Sambodhi 2004 Vol 27

Author(s): J B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 41

Vol. XXVII, 2004
MIRĀBĀI IN GUJARATI TRADITION
35
expression of courage and devotion and have been a source of strength to women, who struggle against pressures of family and society.
The world of today seems to be engulfed in violence and hatred and unrest. Sex and sensuality have hypnotized people. Morality has no place in the society. Male chauvinism is not completely wiped from the face of earth. Even today, we see, various atrocities perpetuated on women. In such critical hour, the study of Mira's life and poems may provide some sort of solution to such despicable trends. She has shown how the sword of God-devotion is enough to slay the minotaur of lasciviousness.
Mirā's poetry is the spontaneous outpouring of powerful feelings. Her poems come so naturally from her heart as leaves to a tree. Her Gujarati poems are pre-dominantly expressions of her oneness with Lord Krsna and generally end with the words, “Bāi Mīrā's lord is the Giridhara” (Bai Mīrā ke prabhu Giridhar Nāgar.) The profoundity of her expression and amazing simplicity are penetrating and inspiring. Her poems became very popular on account of the depth of their feeling, their delicacy of expression and for the intensity of their effect.
It is believed that, she had merged in Krsna's image in Dwaraka. She was at last united with Him. She died peacefully with the image of Krsna in her heart and His name on her lips. As lord Krsna says in the Gītā : He, who relinquishes the body remembering me, without doubt comes to me” (Gītā). But, really speaking, such kind of mystic poets never die, they live in the hearts of the people in the form of their devotional songs.
Bibliography :
1. Ārādhana - C. J. Divetia, Gurjar grantharatna Karyalaya, Ahmedabad, 1968, (Gujarati). 2. Classical poets of Gujarat - G. M. Tripathi, N. M. Tripathi and Company, Bombay, 1892. 3. Madhyakālina Bhaktakavio- Hima Yagnik, Shashvati Yagnik, Jamnagar, 1997
(Gujarati). 4. Milestones in Gujarati Literature - K. M. Jhaveri, Gujarat Printing Press, Bombay, 1914. 5. Mīrā - ed. K. K. Shastri, Adarsh Prakashan, Ahmedabad 1984. 6. Mīrā - Hasit H. Buch, Kumkum Prakashan, Ahmedabad, 1978 (Gujarati). 7. Mira - Brihadpadasamgraha - admavati Shabnam, Loksevak Prakashan, Kashi, V. S.
2006.