UDABAI'S TRANSFORMATION

Song Recomendation: Mira's lyrics(Search on spotify) Main toh Prem Deewani by sung Seema Mishra.

Vikramjit was a harsh, insensitive man, and he thought undependable Mira required strict vigilance; so he appointed his own sister Udabai-because he thought that he could not depend on others to do this delicate job faithfully- and three other women to keep watch over her. Uda tried her best to change Mira's mind and ways.

An interesting conversation between them has come down to us by tradition and gives an insight into Mira's unwordly but fearless character.

Uda: Mira, give up this company of holy men. There's scandal in the city.

Mira: Let them spread the calumny. What's that to me? I am devoted to holy men.

Uda: Why don't you wear your pearl necklace and your precious jewellery?

Mira: I have thrown them away. Holy thought and contentment are my ornaments.

Uda: At other places one see beautiful processions and congregations of men and women- and at your place assemble only all sorts of devotees of God.

Mira: Go to the terrace of the palce and see how wonderful is the assembly of holy men.

Uda: All people of Chittore are ashamed of you, and the Rana hangs his head low.

Mira: Chittore is free today-the way for Rana's deliverance is also open.

Uda: Your parents are ashamed of you. You are the cause of stigma in your birthplace.

Mira: My parents are blessed. My birthplace is also blessed.

Uda: Rana is angry with you, and he has kept poison for you in the casket of gems.

Mira: That's fine. I shall drink it as the sacrificial water.

Uda: That is not ordinary poison. The very sight of it will kill you.

Mira: I have none in the world. Mother earth will accept me.

Uda: Ranaji wants to know what is your path and aim of your life.

Mira: My path is sharp as the razor's edge. Rana will not be able to reach that region.

Uda: Don't be disobedient to the Rana. Obey him. If he is angered there will be no shelter for you.

Mira: Uda, Giridharalal is my only refuge. I pray to Him with all sincerity.

But Uda failed in her attempts to convert Mira to her way of thinking. Mira lived in her own world; threats or allurements of this world had little sway over her.

However, a conversion took place, not of Mira, but of Udabai. The touch of the philosopher's stone turned the base mental into gold. Vikramjit had much faith in Uda, for he thought the latter was his loyal follower. But holy company is an explosive thing. One day, forgetful of the world, alive only in her Lord, Mira was passionately singing the song:

"Since I have met Him, my friend,

I have said goodbye to all decorum and modesty;

None pleases me-none can fetter me.

Ah, the peacock crown he donned,

And the beautiful mark on his forehead!

Who in the three worlds can resist his charm?

All sccumb to his enchantment.

The reflections of his earrings,

Falling on his bright cheeks,

Looked as if fish were playing in the blue deep'

His playful eyes and his curcving brows

Shamed the beauty even of Khanjana bords.

And the beauty of his nose and his delightful dress!

The red of his lips was crowned

With his compelling smile;

His sparkling teeth

And his ornaments were all shining.

All these, says Mira, forced me to total surrender,

To the beauty of every part of his body."

As Uda listened to the outpouring of Mira's soul in her song and supplication, she experienced an inner transformation, and fell at Mira's feet asking to be taken as her disciple.

This was the end of one type of vigilance and beginnig of another for Uda. Her transformation was instantaneous. Pining to have the vision of Giridhara, Uda begged Mira to get her that vision. Mira was by nature large-hearted and she was so deeply moved at Uda's yearning that her heart swelled in prayer and she begged her Lord to fulfil Uda's yearning.

It was midnight. Uda and her three companions-Mithula, Champa, and Chameli-were all seated in the shrine. Mira was pouring out song after song in her celestial voice. To their utter amazement, all on a sudden, Giridharalal appeared and said, 'Mira, why are you so very deeply agonized tonight for me?' Such was the incredible fruit of holy company that not only Uda, but her three companions, who had not specially carved for it, also had the vision of the Lord.