Mira’s fame spread far and wide her devotional bhajans were
sung across northern India. It is said that the fame and spirituality of
Mirabai reached the ears of the Moghul Emperor Akbar. Akbar was tremendously
powerful, but he was also very interested in different religious paths. The
problem was that he and Mirabai’s family were the worst enemies; to visit
Mirabai would cause problems for both him and Mirabai.
But Akbar was determined to see Mirabai, the Princess –
Saint. Disguised in the clothes of beggars he travelled with Tansen to visit
Mirabai. Akbar was so enamored of her soulful music and devotional singing,
that he placed at her feet a priceless necklace before leaving.
However in the course of time Akbar’s visit came to the ears
of her husband Bhoj Raj. He was furious that a Muslim and his own arch enemy
and set eyes upon his wife. He ordered Mirabai to commit suicide by drowning in
a river.
Mirabai intended to honour her husband’s command, but as she
was entering the river Sri Krishna appeared to her and commanded her to leave
for Brindaban where she could worship him in peace. So with a few followers,
Mirabai left for Brindaban, where she spent her time in devotion to Sri
Krishna.
After a while her
husband became repentant, feeling that her wife was actually a real saint. Thus
he travelled to Brindaban and requested her to return. Mirabai agreed, much to
the displeasure of the rest of her family.
However soon after Mira’s husband died; (fighting in battles
with the Moghul emperors). This made the situation even worse for Mirabai. Her
father in law, Rana Sanga, saw her husband’s death as a way to be rid of
Mirabai.
He commanded her to commit Sati. However Mirabai, with the
inner direct assurance of her beloved Sri Krishna, said that she would not do
this. Her real husband, Sri Krishna had not died. She would later say in her
poetry.
“sati na hosyan girdhar gansyan mhara man moho ghananami“,
“I will not commit sati. I will sing the songs of Girdhar
Krishna, and will not become sati because my heart is enamored of Hari.”
After this experience her family continued to torture her. They restricted her movements and sought to make her life as uncomfortable as possible. Yet in the face of all these trials and tribulation she remained detached from her physical suffering.
There was nothing that could disturb her inner connection to
Giridhara (epithet of Sri Krishna as young cowherd boy). It is said that twice
her family tried to kill her, once through a venomous snake and once through
poisonous drink. On both occasions it is said Mirabai, protected by the Grace
of Sri Krishna, came to no ill harm.