525th Birth Anniversary of Saint Mirabai

GS Paper I Modern India History

Context:

Prime Minister participated in ‘Sant Mirabai Janmotsav’ – a programme being organized to celebrate the 525th Birth Anniversary of Sant Mirabai in Mathura.

Rs. 525 coin

The metal composition of the Rs. 525 coin will consist of a Quaternary Alloy, comprising 50% Silver, 40% Copper, 5% Nickel, and 5% Zinc.
The face of the coin shall bear the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in the center with the legend “satyamev jayate” inscribed below, flanked on the left periphery with the word “Bharat” in Devanagari script and on the right periphery with the word “INDIA” in English.
The year “1498” on the left side and the year “2023” on the right side of the coin shall be written in international numeral

Birth: Mirabai was born into a royal family in Kudki, now Pali district of Rajasthan in 1498 CE.
- Her childhood name was Yashodha.
- In 1516, Mira Bai was unwillingly married to Rana Bhoj Raj the crown prince of Mewar. After the death of Bhoj Raj in 1521 CE, Mira Bai left Mewar in search of lord Krishna. Saint Mirabai is one of the famous Hindu mystic poets of the 16th century and a great devotee of lord Krishna belonging to the medieval era.

Bhakti Movement:

The Bhakti Movement probably began in the Tamil region around the 6th and 7th century AD.
It achieved a great deal of popularity through the poems of the Alvars and Nayanars, the Vaishnavite and Shaivite poets.
Hailing from both high and low castes, Bhakti poets created a formidable body of literature that firmly established itself in the popular canon.
Famous Bhakti Movement Poets: Tukaram, Kabir

Various facets:

Social movement: As a social movement, the Bhakti movement challenged caste hierarchy, emphasized the individual’s direct connection to god and the possibility of salvation for all through good deeds and simple living.
Literary movement: As a literary movement, it liberated poetry from singing the praises of kings and introduced spiritual themes.
Introduction of New Styles: From a style point of view, it introduced simple and accessible styles like vachanas (in Kannada) and other forms in various languages to literature and ended the hegemony of Sanskrit metrical forms.

Devotional Journey: It is said that Mirabai met a saint in childhood who gifted her a statue of Lord Krishna and from there, her devotional journey began.
- She started praying to Krishna considering him as her divine lover. Mirabai was given royal education including music, religion, and instruction in politics and government.
Biography: Bhaktmal, a poetry collection that describes the biography of Mira Bai, was written by Guru Nabha Dass ji in 1585 CE in Braja language.
Contribution to Music: The songs Mirabai sang in Braja language while offering prayer and expressing her emotions to lord Krishan are considered her poetry collection.
- These include Raag Govind, Narsi Ji Ka Mayara, Geet Govind ki Tika, Mirabai ki Malhar, Raag Vihaag, and Garba Geet.
- Her Rag Govind narrating her love for Krishna exemplifies the true spirit of the bhakti movement.
Death: She died in 1548 CE at the age of 50 in Dwarka, Gujarat.