# Meera

> 16th-century Hindu mystic poet, saint and devotee of the god Krishna

**Wikidata**: [Q466330](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q466330)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabai)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meera

## Summary
Meera was a 16th-century Hindu mystic poet, saint, and devotee of the god Krishna from India. She is renowned for her devotional poetry that expressed her intense love and devotion to Krishna, becoming an influential figure in the Bhakti movement.

## Biography
- Born: 1498-1504 (exact date unknown)
- Nationality: India
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Devotional poetry expressing love and devotion to Krishna
- Employer(s): Not specified in source material
- Field(s): Literature, poetry, Vaishnavism, Bhakti movement

## Contributions
Meera composed numerous devotional poems (bhajans) dedicated to Krishna, which have become an integral part of Hindu devotional literature. Her poetic works, written in a simple yet powerful style, expressed her mystical experiences and unwavering devotion to Krishna, influencing generations of devotees and poets in the Bhakti tradition. Her compositions continue to be sung and recited in temples and households across India and among Hindu communities worldwide.

## FAQs
**Who was Meera?**
Meera was a 16th-century Hindu mystic poet, saint, and devotee of the god Krishna from India. She is celebrated for her devotional poetry that expressed her deep love and spiritual connection with Krishna.

**When did Meera live?**
Meera lived during the 16th century, with her birth estimated between 1498-1504 and her death between 1546-1552. Her active work period was approximately from 1516 to 1546.

**What was Meera's contribution to literature?**
Meera composed numerous devotional poems (bhajans) dedicated to Krishna, written in a simple yet powerful style. Her poetic works expressed her mystical experiences and unwavering devotion, becoming an integral part of Hindu devotional literature.

**What religious movement was Meera associated with?**
Meera was associated with the Bhakti movement, a religious movement during the Medieval period of the Indian Subcontinent that emphasized devotion to a personal deity as a path to spiritual liberation.

**What is Vaishnavism and how is it related to Meera?**
Vaishnavism is a major Hindu tradition that reveres Vishnu (in his various forms, including Krishna) as the Supreme Being. Meera was a devotee of Krishna, who is considered an incarnation of Vishnu, making her an important figure in the Vaishnavite tradition.

## Why They Matter
Meera's profound impact lies in her ability to express the deepest spiritual emotions through accessible poetry, making complex mystical experiences relatable to ordinary devotees. Her work helped democratize spiritual practice in Hinduism by showing that personal devotion could be as powerful as formal religious rituals. As a woman in a patriarchal society, she broke barriers by becoming one of the most revered voices in the Bhakti movement, inspiring countless devotees, particularly women, to pursue their spiritual path with courage and devotion. Her poetry continues to be a source of comfort, inspiration, and guidance for millions of people across generations and cultures.

## Notable For
- Composing devotional poetry (bhajans) dedicated to Krishna in the 16th century
- Being a prominent female figure in the predominantly male Bhakti movement
- Expressing mystical experiences through simple yet powerful poetic language
- Influencing generations of devotees and poets in the Vaishnavite tradition
- Creating an enduring legacy of devotional literature that remains widely recited and sung today
- Breaking gender barriers in spiritual expression during the 16th century in India

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Meera, also known by various aliases including Mira Bai, Meera Bai, Mīrābāī, Mirabai, Mira, Mīrāmbāī, Myrabai, Meerabai, Mīrām, and Jasoda, was born in the late 15th or early 16th century (1498-1504) in India. She was born into a royal family, with some sources suggesting she was the daughter of Ratan Singh, the ruler of Merta in Rajasthan. Her early life was marked by exposure to religious and cultural traditions that would later shape her spiritual journey.

### Spiritual Journey and Devotion to Krishna
From a young age, Meera developed an intense devotion to Lord Krishna, considering him her divine beloved. This devotion became the central theme of her life and work. Despite societal expectations and familial pressures, she remained steadfast in her spiritual path, often facing opposition due to her unwavering commitment to her chosen deity. Her devotion was not merely intellectual but deeply personal and emotional, characterized by a sense of longing and union with the divine.

### Literary Contributions
Meera's primary contribution to literature was her extensive collection of devotional poems (bhajans) dedicated to Krishna. These poems, written primarily in Rajasthani and Braj Bhasha, expressed her mystical experiences and profound love for the divine. Her poetic style was characterized by simplicity, emotional intensity, and directness, making complex spiritual concepts accessible to ordinary devotees. Her work transcended the literary to become a form of spiritual practice, with her poems being sung as devotional songs in temples and households.

### Role in the Bhakti Movement
Meera emerged as a significant figure in the Bhakti movement, a religious movement that emphasized devotion to a personal deity as a path to spiritual liberation. The Bhakti movement, which flourished during the Medieval period of the Indian Subcontinent, challenged the rigid caste hierarchies and formal rituals of mainstream Hinduism by emphasizing direct, personal experience of the divine. Meera's contribution to this movement was particularly significant as she was one of the few female voices to achieve prominence in what was largely a male-dominated tradition.

### Vaishnavite Tradition
As a devotee of Krishna, Meera was an important figure in the Vaishnavite tradition, which reveres Vishnu (in his various forms, including Krishna) as the Supreme Being. Her poetry reflected core Vaishnavite theological concepts, particularly the idea of bhakti (devotion) as the highest path to spiritual realization. Her works emphasized the emotional and personal aspects of devotion, showing how love for the divine could transcend social and religious boundaries.

### Challenges and Opposition
Throughout her life, Meera faced numerous challenges and opposition due to her unconventional spiritual path. As a woman in a patriarchal society, her decision to remain unmarried or to consider Krishna as her husband was seen as transgressive. She faced opposition from family members and societal authorities who questioned her devotion and her refusal to conform to traditional expectations. Despite these challenges, she remained steadfast in her spiritual commitment, often expressing her trials and tribulations through her poetry.

### Legacy and Influence
Meera's legacy extends far beyond her lifetime, with her poetry continuing to be an integral part of Hindu devotional literature. Her works have been translated into numerous languages and have inspired countless devotees, poets, and musicians. Her story has become a symbol of spiritual courage and devotion, particularly for women seeking to assert their spiritual autonomy. Temples and institutions dedicated to her memory continue to flourish, and her poems remain widely recited and sung in religious and cultural contexts across India and among Hindu communities worldwide.

### Cultural Impact
Beyond the religious sphere, Meera has had a significant cultural impact. Her life and work have been the subject of numerous books, films, and artistic interpretations, cementing her place in the cultural imagination of India and beyond. Her poetry has been set to music by countless composers, creating a rich tradition of devotional music that continues to evolve. Her simple yet profound verses have become part of the cultural fabric, often quoted in everyday conversations and used in educational contexts to illustrate spiritual concepts.

### Historical Context
Meera lived during a period of significant religious and cultural transformation in India. The Bhakti movement was challenging established religious hierarchies and practices, and figures like Meera played a crucial role in this transformation. Her life and work reflect the tensions between tradition and innovation, between societal expectations and individual spiritual calling, tensions that continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about religion, gender, and personal autonomy.

### Modern Relevance
In contemporary times, Meera's poetry and life story continue to resonate with people across different cultures and backgrounds. Her emphasis on personal devotion, emotional authenticity, and spiritual courage speaks to universal human experiences and aspirations. Her work has been studied and appreciated by scholars of literature, religion, and gender studies, highlighting its multidimensional significance. In an increasingly globalized world, Meera's voice continues to transcend cultural and temporal boundaries, offering insights into the nature of devotion, love, and spiritual seeking that remain relevant to modern audiences.

## References

1. MusicBrainz
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Integrated Authority File
4. CERL Thesaurus
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. OpenData BNP
7. IdRef
8. feminization dictionary
9. Femme, j'écris ton nom...
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. [Source](https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Meera)
12. Le Dictionnaire universel des créatrices
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. BBC Things
15. LIBRIS. 2014