Baba's Storytime - Mira's Non-dual Love for Krishna

 Extracted from Bhagavan's Divine Discourse of 13th April 2005.

"Names and forms appear to be different but the reality behind all these is one and the same.  However, people are unable to look deep within themselves and experience this oneness.  The power of love is unparalleled.  There is no power greater than this.  Love cannot be understood by experiments and investigations.  It can be understood only through love and nothing else.

Mira's husband, Rana could not tolerate her singing in the Mandir all the time.  He commanded her to go out of the Mandir.  This came as a great shock to Mira.  She thought to herself, "Is Krishna inside the Mandir and not outside?  When Krishna is present everywhere, how can Rana take me away from Him?"

After understanding this reality, she left her home and set out for Mathura.  Mathura is not merely the name of a town.  In fact, the heart suffused with Madhura Bhava (sweetness) is Mathura.  She sang, Chalo Re Man Ganga Yamuna Teer, Ganga Yamuna Nirmal Pani Sheetal Hota Sarir (Oh mind!  Go to the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna; the water of Ganga and Yamua is pure; it will make the body cool and serene).

Here Ganga and Yamuna symbolically man Ida and Pingala (left and right subtle channels in the spine).  The centre of the eyebrows where Ida and Pingala meet stands for Mathura.  This is the real meaning of the  song.  But people these days do not enquire into the inner meaning of these truths.  They are carried away by the worldly meanings and interpretations.  Do not go by these interpretations.  The feelings of one's heart are most important.  They are true, steady, changeless and eternal.

Mira proceeded towards Mathura chanting the Name of Krishna incessantly, crossing rivers, hills, dales and forests and ultimately reached Brindavan.  Her husband, Rana repented for having ill-treated Mira and came there.  He prayed to her for forgiveness.  After some time she went to Dwaraka but she found the temple doors closed.  In spite of her repeated prayers, the doors did not open.  Then she said, "Oh Krishna, you don the crown of peacock feathers and the yellow robe.  Make my heart Your temple.  Dwell in the  altar of my heart."  She banged her head against the temple door, calling for Krishna.  Krishna manifested there and she merged in Him.

Mira installed Krishna in her heart.  In this way, Mira experienced her oneness with Krishna through her non-dual love for Him."

(Source: Sanathana Sarathi - June 2005)