Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
by Justin E. Abbott | 1933 | 306,590 words
This is the English translation of Bhaktavijaya which is a Marathi poem written by Mahipati in 40,000 lines. The text documents the legends of Indian saints from various backgrounds and extensively covers figures like Ekanath, Tukaram, and Ramadasa, highlighting their contributions to scholarship, philosophy, poetry, and social reform. The Bhaktavi...
38.2: Mirabai’s birth and childhood
8. In the great country of Hindusthan there is a holy city by name of Udaipur. The king of that region was a reverent bhakta of Vishnu.
9. If any uninvited guests arrived the king provided them with garments and food. If Vaishnavas suddenly appeared he used to worship them.
10. In his house the king used to worship the idol of Krishna with the sixteen materials used in worship. With love he was accustomed to dress it in garments and ornaments and sing its praises.
11. Then after receiving the favour of Hari he was accustomed to eat. At this time a jewel of a daughter descended through him, a treasure-house of devotion.
12. After twelve days had parsed they gave her the name of Mirabai. The mother lifted her up and placed her at the feet of Krishna.
13. She had a charming form and was extremely beautiful. When the king saw her it was a great pleasure to him. She grew up day by day and her mother and father were made happy.
14. It was at that time the custom of the king to take his daughter and go to Thakurdwar (Krishna’s temple)[1] where with reverence he used to worship the eagle-bannered One (Krishna) with the sixteen materials used in worship.
15. He used to put ornaments on the extremely beautiful idol of Shri Krishna. In his love the king used to dress it in priceless jewels and pearl-garlands.
16. The idol of the cloud-dark Krishna looked beautiful with His brilliant crown, and His beautiful waistband. Around His waist was the gorgeous yellow robe and around His neck was the Vaijayanti garland.
17. In His ears were earrings set with jewels and on His breast was the exceedingly beautiful Kaustubh jewel. His glorious face was most pleasing with His broad smile.