KAMAL INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND

ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY
(Affiliated to G.G.S.I.P.University, Dwarka, New Delhi)

Reading And Writing About Life History Of

Three Iconic Figures

Course Code : 155

Practical Record for External Evaluation

B.Ed. – Semester – I

Enrol. No. :- 04896702120 Date :- 20th February, 2021

Name :- Nikita Gupta Max. Marks :- 100

SESSION :- 2020-21 BATCH :- 2020-22

 MIRABAI
Born:  1498
Nationality:  Indian
Died At Age:  59
Also Known As:  Mira
Birth place:  Kudki, Jodhpur
Famous As:  Bhakti Saint
Spouse/Ex-:  Bhoj Raj
Father:  Ratan Singh
Mother:  Veer Kumari
Died On:  1557
Place Of Death:  Dwarka

 Childhood And Early Life

Mirabai was born in 1504 AD at Chaukari village in Merta District of
Rajasthan. Her father, Ratan Singh, was the second son of Rao Duda ji, a
descendent of Rao Jodha ji Rathor, the founder of Jodhpur. Mirabai was
raised and nurtured by her grandfather.

As customary with royal families,

her education included
knowledge of scriptures,
music, archery, fencing,
horseback riding and
driving chariots. She was also
trained to wield weapons in case
of a war. However, Mirabai also
grew up amidst an atmosphere of
total Krishna consciousness,
which was responsible in
moulding her life in the path of
total devotion towards Lord
Krishna.

When Mirabai was only three

years old, a wandering Sadhu
came to her family’s home and
gave a doll of Sri Krishna to her father. Her father took saw this as a special
blessing but was initially unwilling to give it to her daughter, because he felt
she would not appreciate it. However, Mira had, at first sight, become deeply
enamoured with this depiction of Lord Krishna. She refused to eat until the
doll of Sri Krishna was given to her. To Mira, this figure of Sri Krishna
embodied his living presence. She resolved to make Krishna her lifelong
friend, lover, and husband. Throughout her turbulent life, she never
wavered from her youthful commitment.

 Later Life
On one occasion, when Mira was still young, she saw a wedding procession
going down the street. Turning to her mother, she asked in innocence, “Who
will be my husband?” Her mother replied, half in jest, half in seriousness. “You
already have your husband, Sri Krishna.” Mira’s mother was supportive of her
daughter’s blossoming religious tendencies, but she passed away when she was
only young.

At an early age, Mira’s father arranged for her to be married to Prince Bhoj
Raj, who was the eldest son of Rana Sanga of Chittor. They were an influential
Hindu family and the marriage significantly elevated Mira’s social position.
However, Mira was not enamoured of the luxuries of the palace. She served
her husband dutifully, but in the evening she would spend her time in
devotion and singing to her beloved Sri Krishna. While singing devotional
bhajans, she would frequently lose awareness of the world, entering into states
of ecstasy and trance.

 Conflict with Family

Her new family did not approve of her piety and devotion to Krishna. To make
things worse, Mira refused to worship their family deity Durga. She said she
had already committed herself to Sri Krishna. Her family became
increasingly disproving of her actions, but the fame and saintly
reputation of Mirabai spread throughout the region. Often she would spend
time discussing spiritual issues with Sadhus, and people would join
in the singing of her bhajans. However, this just made her family even
more jealous. Mira’s sister-in-law Udabai started to spread false gossip and
defamatory remarks about Mirabai. She said Mira was entertaining men in her
room. Her husband, believing these stories to be true, tore into her room with
sword in hand. However, he saw Mira only playing with a doll. No man was
there at all. Throughout these hysterical slanders, Mirabai remained unmoved
by both the criticism and praise of the world.

Mira’s fame spread far and wide, and her devotional bhajans were sung across
northern India. In one account, it is said that the fame and spirituality of
Mirabai reached the ears of the Moghul Emperor Akbar. Akbar was
tremendously powerful, but he was also very interested in different religious
paths. The problem was that he and Mirabai’s family were the worst enemies;
to visit Mirabai would cause problems for both him and Mirabai. But Akbar
was determined to see Mirabai, the Princess – Saint. Disguised in the clothes
of beggars, he travelled with Tansen to visit Mirabai. Akbar was so enamoured
of her soulful music and devotional singing that he placed at her feet a
priceless necklace before leaving.

However, in the course of time, Akbar’s visit came to the ears of her husband
Bhoj Raj. He was furious that a Muslim and his own arch enemy had set eyes
upon his wife. He ordered Mirabai to commit suicide by drowning in a
river. Mirabai intended to honour her husband’s command, but as she was
entering the river, Sri Krishna appeared to her and commanded her to leave
for Vrindavan where she could worship him in peace. So with a few followers,
Mirabai left for Vrindavan, where she spent her time in devotion to Sri
Krishna. After a while her husband became repentant, feeling that her wife
was actually a real saint. Thus he travelled to Vrindavan and requested her to
return. Mirabai agreed, much to the displeasure of the rest of her family.

However soon after Mira’s husband died; (fighting in battles with the Moghul
emperors). This made the situation even worse for Mirabai. Her father in law,
Rana Sanga, saw her husband’s death as a way to get rid of Mirabai. He
commanded her to commit Sati. However, Mirabai, with the direct inner
assurance of her beloved Sri Krishna, said that she would not do this. Her real
husband, Sri Krishna had not died. She would later say in her poetry.

After this experience, her family continued to torture her. There was nothing
that could disturb her inner connection to Giridhar, It is said that twice her
family tried to kill her, once through a venomous snake and once
through poisonous drink. On both occasions, it is said Mirabai, protected
by the Grace of Sri Krishna, came to no ill harm.

 Mirabai in Vrindavan
However, the relentless torments and hostility interfered with her life of devotion and
contemplation on Krishna. She sought the advice of learned men and saints. They
advised her to leave the palace and return to Vrindavan. Secretly, with some
followers, she slipped out of the palace and escaped to the holy city of Vrindavan. In
Vrindavan Mirabai was free to worship Giridhara to her heart’s content. She would
spend her time in singing bhajans and in ecstatic communion with Krishna. Like a
true Bhakti, she worshipped God whole heartedly. The riches of the world offered no
attraction to Mirabai; her only satisfaction came from her single-minded devotion to
Sri Krishna. Her soul was ever yearning for Krishna. She considered herself to be a
Gopi of Vrindavan, mad only with pure love for Krishna.
  Mirabai’s Contribution
Much of what we know about Mirabai comes from her poetry. Her poetry
expresses the longing and seeking of her soul for union with Sri
Krishna. At times, she expresses the pain of separation and at other times the
ecstasy of divine union. Her devotional poems were designed to be sung as
bhajans, and many are still sung today.

Mirabai was a devotee of the highest

order. She was immune to the criticism
and suffering of the world. She was born
a princess but forsook the pleasures of a
palace for begging on the streets of
Vrindavan. She lived during a time of
war and spiritual decline, but her life
offered a shining example of the
purest devotion.  Many were inspired
by her infectious devotion and
spontaneous love for Sri Krishna.
Mirabai showed how a seeker could
attain union with God, only through love. Her only message was that
Krishna was her all.

Meera Mahotsav (Mira Mahotsav)

Meera Smrithi Sansathan (Meera Memorial Trust) along with the Chittorgarh district
officials organise Meera Mahotsav every year on Sharad Purnima day (On Mirabai's birth
anniversary) for 3 days. Many famous musicians and singers get together to sing
bhajan's in this celebration. The 3 days celebration also features puja's, discussions,
dances, fireworks etc.

Narayana Guru
Other names Nanu

Known as Indian Saint Philosopher

From India

Field Philosophy

Gender Male

Birth 1 January 1856, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Death 20 September 1928 (aged 72 years)

Philosophy One caste, One religion, One god for all

 Introduction
Narayana Guru, also known as Sree Narayana Guru (c. 1856 – 20 September
1928), was a social reformer of India. He was born into a family of the
Ezhava caste in an era when people from such communities, which were
regarded as Avarna, faced much injustice in the caste-ridden society of
Kerala. He led a reform movement in Kerala, rejected casteism, and
promoted new values of spiritual freedom and social equality. He stressed the
need for the spiritual and social uplift of the downtrodden by their own efforts
through the establishment of temples and educational institutions. In the
process, he denounced the superstitions that clouded the fundamental Hindu
cultural convention of caste.

 Contribution in Education
He was educated at least in part by a Nair teacher from a nearby village. He
was deeply influenced by Vedanta and by ideas of social equality and social
and religious reform. He taught religion and Sanskrit to local children
and studied yoga with notable ascetics such as Chattampi Swami. In the
course of his wanderings in search of enlightenment, Narayana visited
Aruvippuram, where he and his followers erected a temple dedicated
to Shiva in 1888, defying the tradition that this was done by Brahmins alone.
As a youth, Narayana Guru turned away from the temple rituals of his local
village and travelled widely, living an ascetic lifestyle and seeking religious
understanding. He eventually became a schoolteacher and then a religious
reformer.
 Compositions

 In Malayalam

 Swanubavageethi
 Atmopadesa Śatakam
 Advaitha Deepika
 Arivu
 Daiva Dasakam
 Jeevakarunya Panchakam
 Anukamba Dasakam
 Jathi Nirnayam
 Jathi Lakshanam
 Samasya

 In Sanskrit

 Darsana Mala
 Asramam
 Dharmam
 Sree Vasudeva Ashtakam
 Bhadrakaliashtakam

 In Tamil

 Thevarappathinkangal

 Honours
Rabindranath Tagore met Narayana Guru at
the latter's ashram in Sivagiri in November
1922. Tagore later said of Narayana Guru
that, "I have never come across one who is
spiritually greater than Swami Narayana Guru
or a person who is at par with him in spiritual
attainment".
On 21 August 1967, Narayana Guru was commemorated on an Indian
postage stamp of denomination 15 nP. Another commemorative stamp
on him was issued by Sri Lanka Post on 4 September 2009.
Both Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi and Sree Narayana Guru
Samadhi Day are public holidays in Kerala.

Commemorative coins issued by the Reserve Bank of India in 2006 on the

occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Narayana Guru.

 Death
The Palluruthy event in 1927 was the last anniversary of the S.N.D.P. Yogam
which Narayana Guru attended. This was also his last public function. He
became seriously ill in September 1928 and remained bedridden for some
time. He died on 20 September 1928.

Kabir
Born 1440, Varanasi, India

Occupation Weaver

Known for Influenced the bhakti movement, poems

Died 1518, Maghar, India

 Introduction
Though there is no clear evidence to lead you to the fact that when this Great
Hindi Saint was born in, yet there are some facts and contemporary readings
that take Historians to say that Kabir Das was born in the year 1440. It is said
that Kabir was born Lahartara village of Varanasi to a poor Brahmin widow
and she left him with the fear of stigmatization by the society at a secluded
place. Then a Muslim weaver couple (Julaha), named Niru and Nima brought
the abandoned boy at home as they did not have any child of their own. Thus,
Kabir was born to a Hindu and brought up by a Muslim family. Kabir
was trained to weaving his traditional way to livelihood and he did it forever.

Kabir balanced his livelihood and spiritual learning. Later, when he grew older
he went to St. Ramananda for knowledge as the poor weavers did not
have any resource of their
own to send him to any
educational institution.
Thanks to old Indian
Educational System of
Ashrama where no fee
was charged from poor
and every one was given a
fair chance to learn.
Besides it was also
ensured by the teacher
that no type of bias should
exist at Ashrama. The
great teacher Ramananda
or say St. Ramananda
taught his disciple all he could and trained him to be a spiritual being. Kabir
had a great respect for his Guru.

Unlike educational system of modern era at that time education was focused
on learning not much writing and copying. But it does not mean that writing
was not institutionalized. So Kabir Das got knowledge but he himself was not
able to write throughout his life.

 His Teachings
The period after 13th century was a wave of Bhakti movement all around
India as common folk was fed up with Brahmanical traditions and
complex rituals. This was the age when India saw intermingling of various
faiths be it Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sufism, Siddhas or Yogis. This
tradition rejected all orthodox tradition. Most of the saints and poets used
regional languages as medium of teaching. Kabir was also a child of this
revival and some he learnt from his harsh life experiences. Language used by
him is Awadhi, Braj, Rajasthani and many other regional languages as
these were the best medium to reach to the people.

Since Kabir was not educated

so his language becomes hard
to comprehend sometimes.
Kabir preached Bhakti or
devotion as only path to
salvation. It is said that
Kabir had followers from all
walks of religions. Kabir’s
teachings were
completely based on
logic, beyond superstitions
beyond customs, traditions
and belief. He ridiculed all
forms of external worship.

He is called a poet of Nirguna branch of Hindi Bhakti poetry. Nirguna is a

tradition of worshipping formless god. Bhakti itself is a way to salvation and
can’t be compared to other paths to reach god.

 Kabir Ke Dohe

"Bura jo dekhan mai chala, buran na miliya koy

Jo man dekha apno, mujhase buran a koy"

"Kalh kare so aj kar aj kare so ab

Pal me parlay hoyagi bahuri karoge kab"

 Contributions
Saint Kabir left a tradition that India would ever cherish. Kabir changed the
philosophy of traditional rituals and sacrifices. He had also criticized
violence and animal sacrifice in any form. An atmosphere that debarred
India of Intellectual Progress was transformed by not only Kabir but also by
Bhakti cult. This tradition gave Bhakti as a path that could lead devotees to
loving deity without performing elaborate ritual. A new idea emerged as
Bhakti teaches that devotion lay in sharing others’ pain.
The unique thing of Kabir was that his teachings could be sung and were
handed down orally from generation to generation. Now they have become
inseparable part of our culture and living. Kabir still draw his followers from
all walks of life

A harmonious living between Hindus and Muslims was preached. Religious

tolerance was left on communities not on Ulema and Priests. The greatest
contribution was made to literature. Regional languages which have been
neglected till now got prominence as the teachings of Kabir were mostly in
local dialects. Though Kabir taught a lot that would inspire generations with
time. Now we treat him as a Bhakti Saint and revere him immensely but do
not practically follow his teachings. Still there is need to follow his teachings
for better religious harmony. Kabir never discriminated among rich and poor,
respected and suppressed. 

 Compilations Of Teachings Of Kabir

Kabir Das did not write himself but composed himself. His teachings called
Sabadsakhis and dohe are compiled in Bijak, Rekhtas, Vasant and
Holy Agams. His compositions are very simple and subtle. His teachings are
a hard satire on orthodoxy. He had a beautiful creativity to say big in
small. His dohe and sakhis are on day to day life of human being that has
made life complex. If noticed that can eliminate all the suffering that human
has created himself.
This nation would ever pay tribute to its most loved and spiritual saint, Saint
Kabir.

 Honours
The Sant Kabir Award is conferred by Government of India every year on
outstanding weavers who have made valuable contribution in keeping alive the
handloom heritage and also for dedication in building up linkages between the
past, present and future through dissemination of knowledge on traditional
skills and designs. 

 Death Of Kabir
St Kabir died by going into a Samadhi. He chose his place of death himself to
break the myths. He chose Magahar, a place near Lucknow to die as the
people at that time believed that those who die at Maghar would never get a
place in Heavens. Magahar is 240 kms away from Lucknow. He died in the
year 1518 on Magh Shukla Ekadashi of the Vikram Samvat that is followed
by India officially. It was believed that those who die in Kashi have a place in
Heavens. Though Kashi was a birth place of Kabir he left it to die in Magahar
because he wanted to eliminate the superstition that had crept into people’s
mind.

WHY DID I CHOOSE THESE ICONIC FIGURES

AND HOW DO THEY INSPIRE ME ?

MEERABAI - I have grown up hearing stories of Mirabai from my

grandmother. Mirabai was one amongst the several women in medieval period
of history who fought against the social-cultural-religious barriers
that curtailed women’s right to a self-chosen life. Throughout her
entire life, Mirabai objected to all human-set rules that prevented her from
offering admiration and devotion to Lord Krishna.

I chose her because she led a very simple life though she was born and married
to stately families. She is the one, who despite her all oppositions to set the
model of the society, is even today recalled and recognized as a pious and
chaste lady.

NARAYANA GURU- Narayana Guru also known as ‘Nanu’ was a spiritual

leader. I got inspired by him due to his life’s main principle ‘ One caste, One
religion, One god for all ’. He had the ability to view the human race, from a
dignified and elevated perspective, in unqualified equality and without any
racial, religious, caste or any other discrimination. He restored
the oppressed humans from the torment of caste discrimination.

His philosophy made me emphasise the consistency between true existence of

the “common reality” on Earth and one Divine behind the creation and
sustenance of the Universe, dismissing any concepts of illusory worlds.
'Connectedness of Humanity' had been his fantasy; Therefore his work in
social reformation was unmatched.

KABIR - Since childhood we all have been imparted with the dohe and
poems of the great saint Kabir. Thus, it is oblivious that I have been idolizing
him and his work. Kabir strove to create a spirit of harmony between the
Hindus and Muslims. 
He said this to the Hindus and Muslims :
"If God be within the mosque, then to whom does this world belong
?"
This is one amongst many sayings of his that shook my head and I believe in it
firmly. Kabir condemned pride and selfishness. He wanted man to give up
pride, anger, enmity and ego. He appreciated brotherhood, which ultimately
directed towards reaching the main objectives : "Love of God" and "Love
of humanity".

NIKITA GUPTA
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