Meera Bai

This is the story of Meera Bai, a queen from Rajasthan, India who gave up everything for her love and devotion to Lord Krishna. Meera's love for Krishna began at a young age when she saw an idol of him. As she grew older, her devotion deepened, causing tension with her husband and in-laws. Despite persecution, Meera remained steadfast in her love for Krishna, singing bhajans to him. Eventually, she renounced her royal life and traveled to spread her message of love and devotion. Meera's life ended in the presence of Krishna, leaving behind a legacy of faith and love. Her story continues to inspire and her bhajans are still sung in India today. Hello and welcome to Stories Made Simple, where we bring you tales from around the world, retold in a way that's easy to follow and enjoyable to listen. I'm your host Adarsh and I'm thrilled to have you with us today. Whether you're winding down after a long day, taking a moment for yourself, or just love a good story, this podcast is here to offer you a little slice of history, culture and time-life narrative. Each episode will delve into a new story. Some you may have heard before and some that might be new to you, but all of them share a common thread. They are stories that have stood the test of time and continue to resonate with people all over the world. Today, for our very first episode, we are journeying the heart of Rajasthan, India to explore the life of a remarkable woman whose devotion to her God became the defining feature of her life. This is the story of Meera Bai, a queen who gave up everything for the love of Lord Krishna. So get comfortable, close your eyes if you like, and let's begin. In the heart of the vast and colourful land of Rajasthan, there was once a girl named Meera. Born in 1498 in the small town of Kutki, Meera was no ordinary child. She was the daughter of Ratan Singh, a nobleman, and grew up in a world surrounded by wealth, power and tradition. But even from a young age, it was clear that Meera's heart belonged to something far greater than the earthly riches that surrounded her. When Meera was just four years old, a wandering sage visited her family's home. He brought with him a small idol of Lord Krishna, a God known for his love and a playful spirit. The moment Meera laid eyes on the idol, she was captivated. She asked the sage, Who is this beautiful prince? The sage smiled and replied, From the day on, Meera was enchanted. She would talk to the idol as if Krishna were her closest friend, her confidant and her beloved. As she grew, her love for Krishna deepened, and she would spend hours singing songs of devotion, known as bhajan to him. These songs were not just about worship, they were expressions of her love so deep and pure that it seemed to transcend the boundaries of this world. Meera's family noticed her devotion, but didn't think much of it at first. After all, many people worshipped Krishna, but as Meera grew older, it became clear that her love for Krishna was different. She didn't just see him as a God, she saw him as her true love, her husband in spirit. As Meera reached marriageable age, her family arranged for her to marry Bhojraj, the crown prince of Mewar, one of the most powerful kingdoms in Rajasthan. Bhojraj was a brave and a noble prince, known for his skills in battle and his leadership qualities. The marriage was grand, as visited their status, and Meera moved to the majestic palace of Mewar to live with her new husband and his new family. But even in the splendor of the royal palace, Meera's heart remained with Krishna. She continued to sing her bhajans, her voice filling the palace halls with melodies of love and devotion. She treated the ideal Krishna as her husband, much to the confusion and sometimes frustration of those around her. Bhojraj admired Meera for her beauty, grace, and unwavering faith, but he couldn't understand why she would dedicate herself so fully to a God. Bhojraj wanted to win her affection, but Meera's heart was already given away. This created a distance between them. Though Bhojraj still cared for her deeply, as time passed, Meera's devotion to Krishna became more intense. She would spend her days in prayer and singing, often neglecting the duties expected of a queen. This did not go unnoticed by her in-laws, who began to see her as a problem. In their eyes, Meera's behavior was unbecoming of her royal and threatened the honor of the family. The royal court started to pressure Meera to give up her devotion and conform to the expectations of a queen, but Meera was unyielding. She believed that Krishna was her true husband and nothing could change her mind. The more they pressured her, the more determined she became, and her songs grew even more passionate, filled with longing and love for Krishna. As Meera came as a devotee of Krishna's spread, people from all over the region came to hear her singing and to see the saintly queen who had given her heart to a God. This only increased the displeasure of her in-laws, who feared that her influence might lead others to question their authority. Desperate to control Meera, they began to plot against her. According to a legend, they first tried to break her spirit by sending her a cup of poison disguised as a gift. It is said that Meera, unaware of the plot, offered the cup to Krishna before drinking it. Miraculously, the poison did not harm her. Instead, it is believed that Krishna turned the poison into nectar, further proving to Meera that her love and devotion were true. Despite this miraculous event, the hostility towards Meera only grew. The royal family, unable to break her spirit, began to isolate her. They barred her from the temple worship and tried to keep her away from the people who came to seek her blessings. But Meera's faith was unshakable. She continued to sing a song, now more in private, her voice reaching out to Krishna in solitude. Eventually, the constant persecution became too much. Meera decided to leave the palace and renounce her life of royalty. She wandered from temple to temple, spreading her message of love and devotion to Krishna. Wherever she sent, people were drawn to her, touched by the purity of her heart and the sincerity of her devotion. Meera's final journey took her to Dwarka, a holy city believed to be the home of Lord Krishna. There, in the presence of the deity she had loved all her life, Meera felt a deep sense of peace. It is said that she sang one last bhajan, pouring out her ensouled final act of devotion. As the story goes, the idol of Krishna opened its arms and Meera, in a state of divine ecstasy, walked into the embarrassment of her beloved. The next morning, when the priests came to the temple, they found Meera's lifeless body, lying at Krishna's feet, and a serene smile on her face. Meera's wild life ended in the same way it had been left, in complete devotion to Krishna. Her story has been passed down through generations, a testament to the power of faith and the purity of love. Even today, her bhajans are sung across India, keeping her memory and devotion alive. And so, dear listeners, this is the story of Meera Bai, a queen who gave up everything for her love, a story of courage, devotion and the eternal bond between a devotee and the divine. Thank you for joining me on this journey into the past. I hope you found Meera Bai's story as inspiring and moving as I do. Until next time, keep the stories alive in your heart, and let them guide you in your journey. Good night and Sushri.