Women Bhakti Saints: Janabai, Mirabai, and Bahinabai

Introduction

Across different regions and periods in India, women Bhakti saints emerged, defying societal norms and expressing their devotion through poetry and renunciation. From the poetic expressions of Janabai to the intense devotion of Mirabai and the autobiographical verses of Bahinabai, these women navigated the challenges of caste, gender, and marital duties to connect deeply with the divine.

Women Bhakti Saints and Their Divine Expressions

Janabai (1258-1350 AD)

• From Low-Caste Background: Born in Maharashtra in a ‘low’ caste family, she served as a disciple of Namadeva.
• Poetic Expression: Penned over 300 poems, highlighting the challenges of her low-caste status and the confines of domestic life. 

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Mirabai (1498-1546 AD)

• From Royalty to Renunciation: Born in Merta (Rajasthan), great-granddaughter of Rana Jodhaji, she was married to Bhoj Raj, son of Rana Sanga of Mewar. 
  • She escaped from the palace and gave up traditional marital roles to live as a wandering saint, composing songs that are characterised by intense expressions of emotion and devoting herself to Krishna.
• Devotion to Krishna: A prominent female poet in the bhakti tradition, advocating the form of Saguna bhakti. She wrote Rag-Govind.
• Advocating Saguna Bhakti: Mirabai’s guru, Raidas, was a leather worker, highlighting her rejection of caste norms.
• Popularity: While she didn’t form a sect, her songs remain popular among underprivileged communities in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Bahinabai or Bahina (1628-1700 AD)

• Abhanga Poet-Saint: Poet-saint from Maharashtra wrote abangas, songs depicting women’s daily labours. 
• Autobiographical Verses: Her poems are autobiographical, detailing her life stages and marital conflicts due to her profound love for Lord Vithoba, a form of Krishna. 
• Balancing Divine Love and Marital Duties: While dedicated to her divine love, she respected her marital duties, as reflected in her writings on the responsibilities of women toward their husbands.
• Reverence for Tukaram: Though from a Brahmin background, she revered the low-caste poet-saint Tukaram, prioritising devotion over traditional purity norms.

Conclusion

In their defiance of social hierarchies and devotion to the divine, Janabai, Mirabai, and Bahinabai exemplify the transformative power of bhakti, inspiring generations with their poetry and unwavering faith. Their legacies continue to resonate, reminding us of the enduring strength and resilience of women in the pursuit of spiritual truth.