The famous saint and poet from the 16th Century (India), Mirabai is credited with innumerable hymns dedicated to Lord Krishna. She fell in love with a Krishna idol she received as a child. Her devotion to the deity strengthened with time. Mira believed she was betrothed to Krishna. Her relationship did not alter even after marriage. Impervious to the hate and displeasure of family and society, Mira continued to pray to Krishna. She talked to Krishna, wept, sang and danced in longing. In her hymns (Bhajans), readers can perceive the pain of separation and the yearning to be united with Krishna. So lost was Mira in her world of devotion that she accepted the epithet ‘bawari’ (madwoman) hurled at her by the world. She revelled in her insanity, as it afforded an intensely private space for her to lose and find herself. Sometimes she imagined playing Holi with Krishna, the colours blurring the distinction between her and her deity.

Mira hymns touch upon the myriad moods of devotion: joy, pain, anguish, longing, and surrender. I am sharing the recording of a famous Meera bhajan along with its meaning.

कोई कहियो रे हरि आवन की,

कोई कहियो रे प्रभु आवन की,
आवन की मन भावन की
कोई कहियो रे प्रभु आवन की।

Oh, talk about the coming of my Lord (Krishna)

Give me the delightful news of his arrival.

Talk about the coming of my Lord.

आप न आवें लिख नही भेजें ,
वान पड़ी ललचावन की।

ये दोऊ नैन कह्यो नही माने,
नदिया बहे जैसे सावन की।
कोई कहियो रे प्रभु आवन की।

He doesn’t arrive nor does he send a missive.

He loves to tease me so.

Unheeding my requests, these eyes

Overflow like a torrential monsoon river.

Oh! talk about the coming of my Lord (Krishna)

कहा करूँ कछु बस नही मेरो
पंख नही उड़ जावन की
मीरा के प्रभु कब रे मिलोगे।
चेरी भई रे तेरे दामन की
कोई कहियो रे प्रभु आवन की।

Oh, if I could do something. I am helpless.

Had I wings I would have flown away to my beloved.

Mira says when will you meet me.

I am bound to your robe like a servant.

Oh! talk about the coming of my Lord (Krishna)