born 1450?, Kudaki, India
died 1547?, Dwarka, Gujarat
Rajput princess and Hindu mystic whose songs are popular in northern India.
According to legend, Mirabai dedicated her life to Krishna after her husband's death. She received sadhus and pilgrims at her private temple dedicated to Krishna and composed songs of devotion to him, unorthodox pursuits for a widow. Her poems allude to two attempts on her life, both foiled miraculously. When a delegation of Brahmans sought to return her to her husband's kingdom, she disappeared. Only two poems bearing her signature can be dated before the 18th century, but her story is the most familiar among those of northern Indian saints.