Rain

Our planet is dependent on rain for its abundance in the form of brimming water resources, the cultivation and fruition of crops and for its greenery. In the same way, to feel complete, happy and grateful we need constant devotion to enable God's grace that can rain the nectar of bliss.

Out of the twelve months of a year, the months of rain (July-August) bear special importance. In fact the rest of the months are based on these two months in terms of health, well-being, happiness, comfort and prosperity of living beings. Lord Krishna has said to Udhav that 'the rainy season is one of my manifestations. If you want to thoroughly experience me then contemplate the variegated spectacle of the rainy season.'

The rainy season has an ethereal quality to it. It lends plenitude to the earth what with the play of clouds in the sky, the frolicking rivers full of rain water, the overflowing rivulets, the intermittent outburst of lightening from the dark full clouds, the dancing of peacocks, the solemn thundering of clouds, the drizzle and outburst of rain showers, and the satiated earth by the endless showers after the scorching heat of the summer. It seems that green velvety carpets have been rolled out on earth with its profusion of green cultivation and flowering of plants, trees and vines in all directions. Amidst all this the celebration, the delight of birds and animals adds to its beauty. Besides this, the rainy season has an intoxicating effect on human emotions too. It is no wonder that this beautiful and attractive scenery evokes passions in human heart.

The splendour of this season is only worth rejoicing in the company of your beloved. To a lone heart this spectacle is unbearable and dry. The rain seems to augment the pain of separation of lovers as has been shown in various literary texts. It is blissful to experience the grandeur of this season in the presence of a companion, but without her it becomes hard to endure.

Meera, too, expresses this sense of separation and togetherness in numerous poems describing rain. In the absence of Krishna, the Gopis are forever under the influence of the rainy season, as their cheeks and clothes are dark with the kohl from their eyes, as a waterfall of tears fall from them.

***********

Union

It's trying to rain, and Shyam is here with me.

The fine raindrops from the dark dense clouds
fill up the dry reserves
I see my beloved after a long time, and
feel anxious to part from Him.

Meera says she is deeply in love
as He is her consort from previous births.

The monsoon is at full swing.
Please come home my Shyam.
The brimming clouds are everywhere
and are making thunderous sounds.
Frogs, peacocks and crested cuckoo
are crocking, cooing and singing.
Meera says to her Giridhar Nagar
all my offerings are but nothing.

Separation

1.
The monsoon is looming large,
making me soaking wet.
You have gone and lodge in
a distant land,
I pine dreadfully.
I have sent many letters,
when will you come my beloved?
Meera says to her Giridhar Nagar,
O' Almighty, please visit her.

2.
I saw the dark clouds and got scared,
O' Shyam!
the dense clouds frightened me!
Black, orange misty fog, suddenly
burst in a heavy downpour.
Wherever I go there is water,
making the land green.
One whose beloved is away,
had a good shower in the rain.
Meera's Lord is the immortal One
Please return my love.

3.
I can't sleep without Ram.
I can't sleep!
The pain of separation torments me,
the flame of love melts my heart.
Without the wick of beloved,
the temple of my heart is covered in darkness
the lamp does not pity me.

Without Him my life is monotonous,
I spend my nights waking waiting for Him.
When the clouds roam the sky,
Frogs, peacocks, cuckoo sing the songs of love.
The lightening scares me, and
my eyes shed tears for you.
Where shall I go?
What shall I do, my friend?
Even the words of wisdom do not
pacify my agony.
I waste away in His absence, and
the flares of pain lash my heart
and makes me feeble.
Where is that friend who will
bring my sweetheart for me.

Meera says, when will my Lord come?
I only love my Mohan,
please come and tell me with your endearing laughter.

4.
Ramaiya, it's only you that I love.
People love and then forget, but
my love strengthens day by day.
If I had known you only suffer in love,
I would have proclaimed not to love.
should eat burning hot food,
and should not befriend a foolish person
who is calm one minute and angry the other;
friend one moment and enemy the next.
If one loves one is called crazy,
and if deserts then is cruel.
Only a rare one is loyal to the end.
O Lord, you are like a rock and I am
just a sand castle.
Please accept me as I have been yours
in every birth.
Mangoes and acacia are sown
one is sweet and one is bitter.
your love is like that of an animal
Like the shallow rivers that soon run dry

The monsoon has arrived, the peacocks scream
Meer met the holy saints, like a whirlwind!

Determination

To be steadfast, it is the prime duty of a spiritual aspirant to lend a  careful and due consideration to her life's goal. All tasks are performed by intellectually making a resolution or decision. When it is time to decide, it is natural to encounter a stream of thoughts involving the pros and cons and the suitability of a course of action to reach a particular decision. It is difficult to take action when the mind is going through this initial phase. Through intellect we choose one from all the given alternatives.

In our daily life, we do not need to go through this difficult decision making process, unless it is an important decision of our life. In that case, to act without any careful thought, often leads to regrets. Therefore, it is essential to think ten times before resolving on important matter. A person who is responsible for a large section of society should never act rashly while making up her mind. And if it is about one's own well-being, it becomes all the more essential to think carefully before embarking. Mind can become gradually steady and resolute in the company of fellow aspirants (satsang) and through devotion and practice.

All the revered saints and prominent people in the world go through this process of giving careful consideration to a course of action and adhering steadfastly to their goal. Still, it cannot be said that a decision thus reached will be beneficial to everyone. Decision made in favour of an individual, a family, a society or nation can become detrimental to others. Promise or vow is a kind of decision which may not be to the liking of others. A vow can be taken on the spur of the moment when one is hurt, but a decision is only taken by using reasoning abilities. A vow can hurt others including the one who takes it, whereas it is essential for a decision to be beneficial both to oneself and others. This can be seen in the lives of great people.

Meerabai's circumstances were completely different to other saints and holy men of her times. The most important factor was that she was a female in a predominantly male society. The things were made more tough for her due to her royal lineage and marriage to a king where the ladies had to observe so many restrictions. The women had to wear a veil to cover their faces in front of men and society in general. As a royal personage she was not allowed to mix with ordinary people, let alone saints and holy men. Naturally, when her devotion raised eyebrows in her circles and the obstacles were put in her chosen path, she had to reach a decision. She had to decide between the regal life with its trappings and the life of a devotee spending time with holy men and women and singing to her beloved God without any restrictions. Meera chose the path of devotion suffused with love for her dear Giridhar, thus, forsaking the world of material comforts, which left all unhappy in her family. She remained steadfast in her decision throughout her life.

This is how the saint Tukaram expresses his determination to be with his dear Lord:

           हस्तमुत्क्षिप्य यतोस्सि बलात्कृष्णा किमद्भुतम ।
           ह्रदयाद यदि निर्यासि पौरुषं गण्यमि ते ॥

अर्थात    हाथ छुड़ाए  जात हौ, निबल जानी के मोहे ।
           हिरदै तें जब जाहुगे, सबल बदोंगे तोहि ॥
           निश्च्या  चे बल तुका म्हणे हें चि फल ॥

Although you (Krishna) are leaving me thinking I am weak, I will only know that you are strong if you can go away from my heart. Tukaram's strong determination has bore this result (that you have come to my rescue).

Determination in Meera's words:

Making a right decision is important in any situation, and when the question is of your true goal in life with a view to eternal problems of life and death and the meaning of human existence, this decision has paramount importance. Meera, like other holy men, thought about these eternal questions of life. The shortness of life and relationships made Meera turn away to the One who she knew to be the enduring reality. As she says: 'why should I marry someone who will eventually die, I will marry Krishna that will make my marriage eternal', 'the one who wears a peacock feather crown is my husband', 'I am his attendant from so many lives, Krishna is my significant other and lord'.


Undivided devotion

1.

Giridhar Gopal is my only companion, no one else.
The one who wears a peacock-feathered crown, is my spouse.
Father, mother, brother, friend - I have no one,
I have stopped caring about what others may say,
and have abandoned all titles and clans.
I earned the disdain of people by associating
with holy men.
Renouncing the regal bearing, I
wear the clothes fit for a holy wanderer.
Relinquishing pearls and gems,
and wear a necklace of wild flowers.
I nurtured the climbing vine of love
with my tears,
now it is fully grown, bearing fruits of blissful ecstasy.
After churning the milk (of knowledge)
I saved the butter (of wisdom), and
left the residue.
Devotees make me happy, the world makes me sad.
I found my saviour by name of Raidas,
I take my guru's shelter, and see Ram in my heart.
O' Giridhar Gopal, please liberate me!
Meera is thy servant.

 

2.

I am eager to meet my Lord,
eager to meet and live with Him.
I yearn to forsake the worldly tasks
to daily immerse in the light of Truth,
that dispels the darkness and opens
the path to the skies.
I had a glimpse of a gleam of Light,
like lightening in the monsoon sky.
I have found my Lord Giridhar Nagar
I long to happily sing forever in His praise.

3.

O' my sweetheart! I will remain a hermit.
I will live the way that pleases my beloved.
I will live with contentment and modesty
and live a life of equanimity.
I will meditate on the name of
one who is known as Niranjan (spotless).
I will dye this body with knowledge imparted
by my guru, and imprint it on mind.
I will surrender at Hari's feet, and sing
in adoration to Him.
Immersed in singing His name, I will
make a stringed instrument of this body.
Meera's Lord is Giridhar Nagar,
I will dwell with holy wanderers.

4.

I am deeply imbued with the ways of my Sanvara
I bedeck myself with ornaments,
and dance wear ankle-bells, leaving
worldly customs aside!
In the company of holy men
my ignorance has vanished,
and I have become a real devotee.
Singing Hari's name night and day
I have escaped the shackles of time.
The whole world seems distasteful
and everything seems so pointless,
without Him.
Meera's Lord is Giridhar Nagar
Only His love is worthwhile.


5. Ashtang Yoga

No one can stop me now,
rapt in love Meera goes there!
Leaving all the customs and
worldly worries,
relinquishing both praise and blame
I take refuge in the path of wisdom.
There is red door of knowledge
as you go higher,
where there is world beyond names and forms.
This instrument of five elements,
finds its true home there.
I have bracelets of hand postures,
and the head is adorned with the vermillion
(of ultimate union by opening of sahsrar chakra).
I take the platter of the remembrance of Name.
Thus embellished,
Meera sleeps on the celestial bed of divine bliss
today must be so auspicious!
Go Rana! go to your home
we cannot get on, as our paths are different.

Prayer

Saint Meera's Temple in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Although God does everything, from the natural rising of the Sun in the morning to an individual's spiritual progress or enlightenment, still it is essential and useful to have enough individuality to request and pray God for the true path to attain spiritual bliss or Anand.

Everyone desires comfort and peace. But as we lack happiness and freedom, despite our best efforts the winds do not blow in our favour.

Loss-gain, life-death, fame-censure are all in the hands of fate.

हानि लाभ जीवन मरण यश  अपयश विधि हाथ

According to the above quote of Sri Goswami Tulsidas, however successful, clever, powerful and strong a person may be, one day he has to realize that he is nothing. 'I' and 'mine' are mere false concepts. When this realization dawns on him, he surrenders himself to God.  Caught up in this world, he feels helpless. Then only one door is left open for him - that of prayer.

सर्व धर्मान परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज
Abandon all varieties of religions and just surrender unto me. - Geeta.

According to the above quote from Lord Krishna, the ultimate goal of prayer is to attain to this state of complete surrender with childlike innocence.

There is no end to the path of prayer. It becomes a part of one's life. God is the embodiment of bliss and utter compassion. All we need to have is a complete faith in Him. A person tormented by this worldly grill can only find peace in the sweet and cool waterfall of prayer. worldly pleasures are only temporary.

Materialistic people seek wealth, fame, power and other material things through prayer. But the wise ones only pray for devotion, spiritual knowledge, and progress on their spiritual journey. Gradually, with the grace of God their desire for these divine qualities drops away too.

There cannot be even a single person on this earth who has not had an occasion to seek the refuge of prayer. Sadness, worry, disease, trials and tribulations occur in everyone's life, when one cannot help but pray to the Almighty.

Prayer can happen anywhere and in any language. It originates from the heart. A true prayer from the deepest corners of our heart reaches Him and He is not even far from us. He resides in everyone's heart. Once this faith that God sits in our hearts, becomes established in us, the doors of His grace swing open. An unshakeable faith is essential for prayer.

With prayer, gradually, devotion and self-realisation dawns and one becomes increasingly devoted and a time comes when the practice ends and prayer becomes a natural state of one's being.

When one prays, the soft qualities of one's personality develop and through regular meditation as one's heart becomes purer, he experiences unthinkable peace and bliss. The prayer emanating out of true surrender and total faith never goes unanswered. Prayer has an unnatural power.

Only upon realizing one's limits of knowledge and freedom, can we surrender to that un-reachable, eternal, infinite power. People call Him by different names like Nature, Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Raheem, Christ, Buddha or Mahavir. As long as we pray with true devotion, it does not matter whether we pray with music, singing, or are just remembering his name. We should pray everyday.

विपद्: सन्तुन: शश्वत्तत्र तत्र जगदगुरो ।

भवतो दर्शनं यत्स्यादपूनर्भवदर्शनम् ।।

जन्मैश्वर्य श्रुत श्री भिरेधमान मद: पुमान् ।

नैवार्हत्य भिधातुं वैत्वाम किन्चन गोचरम् ।।

                           श्रीमद् भागवत - कुन्ती

'Jagadguro! let there be trouble at every step of our lives because in hard times we will remember you and can feel your grace which will ultimately deliver us from this cycle of birth and death. One who is too proud of being born into high society, luxury, worldly education and wealth, cannot even think of you. Because you only shower your grace on those who are needy.

Saint Tukaram says, 'God! Give me the boon that I never forget you, lovingly sing your praises. I do not desire nirvana, wealth or opulence. All I wish is to remember and chant your name in the company of holy men, then I do not mind being born anywhere.' And a devotee says again, 'Hey compassionate mother Durga, even though I remember you in times of calamity, do not take me to be wicked; as a child only cries for her mother when she is distraught with hunger.

When the material world loses its attraction and significance; when God is seen as the only eternal, primordial truth worth surrendering to, the source of everything and blissful, when one experiences and understands this, only then the true prayer from the heart pours forth.  Only then can one sing the mystical poetry like Meera. 

We will now look at Meerabai's poems of prayer and request.

The All pervading - the One

1.

Please visit me my sweetheart!
This world holds no meaning without you.
I lay down my body, mind and worldly assets for you
and sing only your name.
You are the Supreme one, full of all the qualities
Alas! I have all the undesirable traits.
Only you can bestow me your true virtues
and pardon me my mistakes.
I had my home ready for your visit
but you never came!
Meera beseeches....Lord when will you meet me?
My eyes hurt me for waiting for you.

2.

O Lord! I pray to you, please save me!
This world is full of suffering.
Please dispel my ignorance and misery!
We are caught up in the daily grind.
Please deliver us from these toils!
Like a river is this life, where
we are condemned to eighty-four million
births and deaths.
Meera's Lord is Giridhar Nagar
Please redeem me from this perpetual cycle!


Morning Prayer

Arise! Rise O' flute player!
Wake up, my sweetheart!
The night has turned into dawn,
people have opened their doors.
Milkmaids have started churning the milk,
and their bangles are ringing.
Arise! my dearest, the day has broken!
The cow herders are already awake and
singing glories to God.
They have set off with butter-bread
to herd their cattle.
Meera's lord is Giridhar Nagar,
I seek your shelter.

Ecstasy

O' Girdhari! In what words should I tell you?
Our love is ancient, it's from previous lives
and one that cannot be forgotten.
When I look at your divine form,
Indescribable devotion takes over me.
O' Shyam! please grace my courtyard
with your holy presence.
All the ladies will sing in your welcome.
I will decorate my home with pearls
and serve you with all my being.
You are my only relation, I
have no other in this world.
Meera is servant at her Lord's feet
and has remained unmarried
over multiple lifetimes.
I have taken shelter at your feet
Please do not act estranged.

Devotion

O' Sanvara! please return my love!
You are the ocean of virtues
Please forget my vices.
People have lost their patience
I am losing heart,
please come, and reassure me with your songs.
I am your servant from so many lives
please come and play flute in my courtyard.
Meera's Lord is Giridhar Nagar, help
cross this boat (of life) over to your side.

In Praise

Yaduvar is so lovely!
Born in Mathura, raised in Gokul
He redeems Putna in infancy
and shows good path to all
the wicked ones.
He herds cows on the banks of Yamuna,
wearing a black shawl.
He has an attractive physique draped in
yellow robes and has lotus eyes.
He wears a peacock-feathered crown
on his curly dark hair,
and carries a flute in his hands.
Bearing a conch-shell, mace, a disk
and a lotus flower, thereby he protects saints.
When the Vraj got flooded,
he saved it by lifting the Govardhan mountain.
Meera's Lord is Giridhar Nagar,
He is my very life and soul.

Complete surrender

1.
My dearest, remember me when you like
I am your servant in every life, shower me
with your grace!
Sitting or standing, awake or asleep
remember me whenever you like.
Coming or going, eating or drinking,
Ask after me in my dreams.
I only think of you night and day,
and it's only you  I see everywhere.
Meera's Lord is Giridhar Nagar,
having met me, don't desert me.

2.

Hari! stay in my eyes.
Stay in my view day and night,
don't go away even for a while,
Some people love their sons and daughters
some like their sisters and brothers
Some like pretty girls, my dearest is the son of Nand.
Some people's strength is their parents,
and some take pride in their lineage.
While some boast of their own might,
my strength is my gracious One.
Some are full of arrogance,
and some dress up to put on airs,
some show off their wealth, but
I take delight in the shelter of your feet.
Some brag about their academic achievements
and some are musicians in king's court
Meera's joy lies in meeting you
and singing Krishna-Krishna in love.

Saanvra! all my paths lead to You!
Mother-father, sister-brother, all follow their own ways.
My way is different from the caste, clan and friends.
People just make much noise! I have noone in this world.
Meera says O' Giridhar Nagar! when will you see me
Nand Kishor.
 

Meera's Biography

It has been said about Meera (from Mihira, सूर्य) that she was an incarnation of either Radha, Lalita, Champaklata or some other Gopi. Her poetry is reflective of her connection with the gopis.

A story about Meerabai's birth is said to have originated from Barsana(birth place of Radha). According to this story, a gopi ( Meera) in Barsana got married to Lord Krishna's childhood gop friend. When it was time to leave her parents' home to begin a new life in Gokul, gopi's mother instructed her daughter to be careful of Kanha who is very naughty and has such an influence on people that if anyone sees him for once only, they lose control on their senses and heart and are forever lost in meditation and love of Krishna. Therefore, she should never see Him. 

When her carriage arrived on the border of Gokul, suddenly Krishna leapt up before it and asked his friend, ' you've brought my bhabhi, I want to see her face and bestow her a gift I've for her for munhdikhayi.' The Gop said, ' There's no secret fro you Kanha. Go and see her.' The gopi was listening to Krishna and remembered what her mother had said. She pulled her ghunghat and didn't show her face to Krishna. Upon this, Kanha said,'you won't show your face now, but you will see my face soon.'
 

After few days there was a huge diluge in braj due to Indra's wrath. Lord Krishna picked up Govardhan mountain to save the village. All villagers together with birds and animals came under its shelter.
 

The Gopi from Barsana also took the Govardhan shelter and her eyes happen to fall upon Kanha and she got lost in thoughts thus: 'How beautiful is he with his lotus eyes, curly hair, yellow robes, peacock crown and flute!! Although he is so young, he is carrying this huge insurmountable mountain just to save his beloved braj!! Aho! How unfortunate have I been not to have seen him sooner! How cruel was my mother's instruction was forbidding me to see his face! I have wasted so many days by following her advice! Welled up with such emotions, tears of love started flowing from her eyes; she witnesses the chturbuj form of her beloved Krishna: playing flute with two hands, one hand on the shoulders of her father Nand baba, and carrying the Govardhan with another.' She regretted not having net Krishna when he came to see her himself and cursed herself for committing such a mistake! She was overwhelmed by his presence and Darshan, and prayed for His love. She surrendered herself at the Lord's feet. Krishna said, 'Since you refused to see me, you won't be able to attain me in this birth. You will definitely attain me some other birth.'
 

They say that Gopi was reborn as Meera in Merta. Meera's utter disregard and disinterestedness for gunghat and other social norms is testimony to the fact that these things prevented her union with her beloved Sri Krishna in the Dvapar yug. This picture of Krishna carrying giriraj stayed with Meera as evidenced in her numerous poems where she refers to her 'Giridhar'. 

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Every person follows a particular destiny due to the differences in thoughts, emotions, ambitions, interests, temperament, self-interest, circumstances and environment.  Thus, the whole world is full of people having diverse viewpoints because variety, imperfection and change are the essential characteristics of nature. Every person experiences good and bad times, hopes and despair, and pleasure and sorrow in different degrees. It is rare to find someone whose life unfolds according to her wishes and who is completely content with it.

To make a progress on one's chosen path, everyone has to struggle to realise their dreams. People who have the ability, determination, patience, self-confidence and a faith in God essential to achieve those dreams, emerge victorious as they attain the objective they set out to achieve. Such persons leave their mark in history.

Meerabai's life, too, was ridden with conflicts and struggles. Insistence to have Lord Krishna's idol from a saint in her childhood, opposing her mother's wish for her marriage with great understanding and wisdom, an appeal to take her Lord's idol with her upon leaving for her husband's house after her wedding, protest against the worship of a local deity, handling the complaints and criticism from her sister-in-law with boldness - apart from these episodes, the most difficult of all her struggles was to face a strong opposition fom her brother-in-law, Rana Vikrmaditya.

Anyone who follows a great ideal, faces a lot of opposition from others. Despite strong hostility from Rana Vikramaditya, Meera remained steadfast in her devotion to Sri Krishna and patiently resisted any obstacles on her path. Trials and tribulations that result from sticking to a higher goal of love, justice, and general welfare of humanity, are considered pure and eventually lead to success. 

Struggle is said to be of two types: by violent means and by non-violent means. When physical strength, political power, people, and arms are used to wage a war against the hostile sources, the struggle involve a degree of violence. But when intellect, planning, determination, inner strength, self-sacrifice, tolerance and peace are used to overcome obstacles, the struggle becomes non-violent.

All saints, yogis, devotees and those working towards a higher cause, withstand any hardship and hostility using these non-violent means. Meerabai, not only stood her ground against the animosity of Rana , she became famous in history due to her unflinching faith and devotion.

Meera proclaimed her sole aim clearly, replying to her brother-in-law the above said Rana and her sister-in-law Udabai with patience, boldness and pride, which is evident in her poems.

1. Mother-daughter 

 Meera: Don't worry mother,
I'm only mixing with saints.
The name of Ram is all
that I remember.

Mother: listen child ! 

When the world is sound asleep 

What made you lose your sleep !

Meera: This whole world is mad

Who doesn't love Ram.

The one who remembers only Hari

How can she sleep?

Why drink from this worldly reservoir 

When there's nectar 

in the eternal stream of Hari's name

Pray, have thirst only for it!

Ram, the beautiful one, will surely

cast a glance on me

And will accept Meera, who is

wasting away for him.

 

2. Mother-daughter 

O' mother! Lord married me in dream.

When I was asleep he came into my dream!

Mother, in my dream he married me!

I draped a yellow saree and painted my hands with henna.

Why should I marry a mortal, that only leads to distress.

The turmeric paste was applied on me and everyone was singing. 

Mother, Gopal married me in my dream!

Fifty-six billion people arrived 

to see Brajnath as bridegroom 

He tied the knot with me in the dream!

Meera has found Giridhar, 

her mate from previous lives.

In dream he married me! 

My married hood is now eternal!!

Exposition: The meeting of the individual soul with the Universal soul is marriage in spiritual sense. 

3.Sleep

 I'll sell my sleep if anyone wishes to buy 

One paisa for a pound, a rupee for a ton

My sweetheart came and left

and I carried on sleeping 

I have wasted away my days sleeping 

and lost my years thus

O sleep go back to your house 

One who sleeps away is

Not Ram's devotee

Meera's Lord is Giridhar Nagar

She will stay wide awake 

waiting for him.

4. Sleep

Without Sanvra I can't sleep 

I feel restless 

Without Him my world is dark

Even the lamp doesn't pity me

My nights are lonely and scary 

I lie awake 

Languishing I roam around 

Asking everyone if they have 

Seen my Shyam

Pain of separation lashes me

Killing me gradually.

O neighbor! Listen! Anyone!

Have you seen my Mohan!

Meera's lord is Giridhar nagar 

She only loves her Mohan.

Determination

1.

Meera danced tying ankle bells on her feet, 

She has become her Narayan's willing servant !

People say Meera's out of her mind

Kinsmen say she'll bring them infamy.

Ranaji sent me a goblet of poison 

Meera drank without thinking anything of it !

Meera's lord is Giridhar nagar 

She has met Him by sheer luck! 

2.

Ranaji, I will sing only for my Hari !

If a king turns against you, the nature 

will take care of you.

But if my Hari is not pleased with me

Who will I turn to?

It doesn't bother me what people 

say.

I will cross this ocean of duality,

riding the ship of the name of Ram.

  

Exposition: This material world is like a salty ocean that does not quench your thirst for peace and contentment. It is full of illusory pleasures and attachments. We are borne of the love and form of God, and by immersing ourselves in His love can we attain true happiness and peace.

Rana-Meera

I won't listen to you, Rana

I have Girdhari as my husband!

Jewel and camphor follow one path

However many times you say to the contrary.

Pebble and gold share the same fate

So do sound and taste.

Why hesitate when you have renounced this world. 

I have found a true guru,

I only like the holy men's company.

 

I'm different from the rest of my clan.

No matter how many times you

debate with me, I'll only follow my heart.

My Shyam is the one I have befriended.

He has jewelled crown, thick golden garland, and ankle bells on his feet.

I have taken refuge in those feet,

I do not worry about what 

people say.

Meera's lord is Giridhar nagar, 

Let people say what they like!

 2. Rana-Meera

Ranaji, Girdhar is my dearest beloved,
O' Ranaji, Girdhar is my dearest beloved!

He is present everywhere, and

is different from everyone!

He knows everyone's heart

for He is everyone's creator.

You sent me a cup of poison

I drank it thinking of Girdhar,

Who saved me in the end!

Meera's lord is Girdhar nagar,

That flute-player is the only Truth.

Longing!

5.

Govind! The embodiment of bliss,

please visit me. 

O' willful rake, please come!

My friends laugh at me, you must

show me your glimpse.

I have adorned myself, but 

without you there is nothing but sadness.

Only one who's hurt knows the pain

For others it's jest.

The cuckoo on the mango tree

is singing sad songs.

I feel like renouncing all

and heading towards Kashi.

I wonder what that day 

would be like,

when I'll see my Lord !

O Meera's Lord! 

When will you come?

That night I'll sleep blissfully!

6.

How can I meet you, my Sanvra!

I got this human birth,

but without your devotion it's a waste.

Eight hours go in earning a living 

and the rest are lost by sleeping.

In this moonlit night, the stars are fading away, making the

night ever shorter!

If I'd known that Hari is coming,

I would've opened my doors.

I'll let my hair loose and let

them grow in knots

Meerabai's lord Giridhar Nagar

Your praises I'll sing at

every door.

 

7.

O mother! Hari doesn't care for me!

Why this life doesn't end!

He neither sees me nor talks to me !

How can I be happy like this?

Eons have gone by without 

talking to Him!

He comes only in my dreams

and when I wake up

He disappears!

This makes me cry.

I curse myself for not being awake.

I spend long, lonely nights

counting stars.

I wish to cut my throat 

as every moment

it seems that he is soon going 

to come, but does not!

Endless wait!!

8.
O' mother! My eyes have got this habit!

The day I don't see Shyam, 

That day seems too long!

His dark face is lodged in my mind

He doesn't leave my heart.

Meera is sold to her Hari 

All her worldly tasks are done!