Mirabai

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A renowned poetess and saint from India, celebrated for her devotional songs and deep expressions of love for the deity Krishna
2. A prominent figure in the Bhakti movement of India, known for her spiritual poetry that challenges social norms and emphasizes personal devotion
3. An influential mystical poet and a venerated figure in Hinduism, whose literary contributions reflect her profound spirituality and devotion to God

Etymology: Mirabai was a Rajput princess from Merta in Rajasthan, married into the royal house of Mewar, who turned away from court life to devote herself to the god Krishna. Her name works less like a personal name than a pair of titles. "Bai" is an honorific used across western India, meaning roughly "lady" or "sister," and it attaches to women of high standing or deep devotion. The first element, "Mira," is probably a regional form, but its exact origin is uncertain. Her devotional songs, called bhajans, were composed in a mix of Rajasthani, Braj, and Gujarati and were largely passed down orally. Her name therefore stands for a whole body of verse that circulated among singers and followers rather than for a single fixed text.