The medieval female saint and embodiment of devotion, Meerabai, was born in 1498 in Kudki village, Merta, Rajasthan, to Ratan Singh, son of Rathore Raab Dooda of Merta. Meerabai’s father, Ratan Singh Rathore, was a feudal landlord, and her mother was Veer Kumari. Meerabai was only two years old when her mother passed away. Her father was often engaged in battles and could not pay attention to her upbringing. Due to this, Meerabai started living with her grandfather, Rao Dooda. Rao Dooda was not only a great swordsman but also a devout Krishna devotee. Meerabai’s father Ratan Singh, her uncle Veermadev, and her grandmother were all followers of the Vaishnav tradition.

Meerabai grew up in an environment filled with Vaishnav values. Her feelings of devotion to Krishna were inspired by her grandmother. Once, after seeing a wedding procession, Meerabai asked her grandmother, “Whose wedding procession is this?” Her grandmother replied, “This is the groom’s wedding procession.” Meerabai then asked, “Where is my groom?” Her grandmother told her that her groom is Giridhar Gopal. Since then, it is said that Meerabai began striving to attain Giridhar Gopal.

It is also said that when Meerabai was about four years old, a sadhu was staying at their home. He had a beautiful idol of Giridhar Lal. Meerabai liked the idol and insisted on having it. The sadhu, respecting her devotion, gave her the idol. Since then, Meerabai not only became attached to Giridhar Lal but considered him her husband, her companion in joy and sorrow, life and death. She would talk to him, play with him. People said that Meerabai had gone mad. They were right, for Meerabai was truly mad in love with Krishna.

Education:
Rao Dooda, her grandfather, brought Meerabai from Kudki to live with him in Merta. His elder son Jayamal also lived there. Under Rao Dooda’s care, her primary education was completed. He appointed Pandit Gajadhar to teach Meerabai. The Pandit used to narrate various stories from scriptures and Puranas to her. Soon, Meerabai became highly learned, like a female scholar.

Marriage:
After Rao Dooda’s death, Veermadev ascended the throne. He arranged Meerabai’s marriage to Kunwar Bhojraj, son of the famous Maharana Sangha of Mewar. At the time, Meerabai was 18 years old (in 1516). Just seven years after the marriage, Bhojraj passed away. Meerabai was deeply saddened and shocked by his death. Her mind turned away from the world, and she began to spend most of her time in devotional gatherings and singing hymns.

It is said that Meerabai had brought the idol of her childhood companion Giridhar Lal with her at the time of her marriage. Now, turning away from all worldly pleasures, she became absorbed in devotion to him.

Attempt to make her commit Sati:
It is said that according to the prevailing custom, after her husband’s death, an attempt was made to make Meerabai commit sati (self-immolation), but she refused. Gradually, she detached from worldly life and started spending her time in the company of saints and singing devotional songs.Five deaths became five steps:
Meerabai’s father, Ratan Singh, also attained martyrdom in the Battle of Khanwa. After him, in 1528, Maharana Sangha also passed away. Her grandfather, mother, and husband had already died. Moreover, Maldev captured Merta. Due to these troubles, Meerabai had to leave Merta as well. She returned to Mewar. These five deaths became five steps for her. Each death turned Meerabai further away from the world and closer to Krishna. Her back turned toward the world.