Mirabai - English Literature

Summary


The play 'Mirabai’ portrays the deep devotion of Mirabai who is the central character in this play ,towards Lord Krishna.
When she refuses to honor Goddess Durga, the goddess of the royal house she faces opposition from the Royal family. The Rani does not approve of Mirabai’s steadfast and firm faith in Lord Krishna. She also accuses Mirabai of defying her orders and neglecting her wedded duties. The Rana summons her and tells her to worship goddess Durga, the family deity and divert her mind by taking more interest in household affairs and womanly diversions.

The Rani is prejudous about Mirabai and puts her maid on secret duty to spy on Mirabai. But Mirabai remains unmoved in her devotion to lord Krishna. Finally a cup of poison is sent to her as Charanamrit (holy water). Though she was warned by her companion Sanjogta not to drink it, Mirabai drinks it. But she miraculously escapes death. Her soul is pure. Her devotion to Lord Krishna is strong and sacred. Even poison couldn’t harm her.

Sample Q's And A's

Question (1): Compare and contrast Bhojraj and Jaimall.

Answer: Bhojraj was the son of the Rana of Mewar. He belonged to an illustrious family of warriors. However, Bhojraj was quite different. He was a weak-willed man. He let his mother dominate his life. He was married to Mirabai, who spent her time worshipping Krishna. It was his mother who objected to her practices. Bhojraj had little say in the matter. He was unwilling to face Mirabai in the company of his father, nor was he able to defend her when his mother spoke against her.

Jaimall was Mirabai's cousin and belonged to the royal family of Merta. He was a courageous young man who was greatly appreciated by the Rana. He carried himself with dignity. When the Rani insulted Mirabai, Jaimall was quick to come to her defence. He was proud of his family's honour. He believed that his cousin had done no wrong and had the courage to say so in the presence of Rana Sanga and the Rani. It seems evident in the play that the Rana respected Jaimall more than his son Bhojraj.

Question (2): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"The women of that house are all the same, contrary creatures always wanting something that this world of ours does not provide.

a. Who is the speaker? Who is being spoken about?

b. Why is Mirabai a 'contrary creature'?

c. What aspect of Mirabai's character is seen here?

Answer: a. The Rani is the speaker. She says this about Mirabai.

b. Mirabai worshipped Lord Krishna instead of Goddess Durga, the family deity of Mewar. This angers the Rani because she feels that she does the opposite of what is told to her.

c. Mirabai is a girl who was independent in thought. Her faith in Lord Krishna does not diminish in any way, despite the Rani's orders.

Question (3): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"So long as she does not shirk her wedded duty, or bring reproach upon the noble name she bears.

a. Who says this and about whom?

b. Why does the Rana say this?

c. What kind of a man was Rana Sanga?

Answer: a.This is said by Rana Sanga about Mirabai.

b. The Rani has complained to the Rana about Mirabai's devotions, accusing her of praying too much. But the Rana is just, and says that her devotion is no fault as long as she is a good wife and her actions live up to the honour her name bears. It is evident that the Rana sympathises with and respects Mirabai.

c. Rana Sangha was just. He was fair in judging people. He believed that Mirabai's act of prayer was not to be found fault with. This shows his broadmindedness.

Question (4): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"His birth excuses pride. He is the bravest of the brave race of Marwar; his place is on my right hand.

a. Who is 'he'?

b. Who is the speaker?

c. In what context is this said?

Answer: a. He is Jaimall.

b. Rana Sanga says this of Jaimall.

c. The Rani had complained to the Rana about Mirabai's 'arrogant behaviour'. Bhojraj and Jaimall were also present. Jaimall defended Mirabai. The Rani was even more furious and asked Jaimall to withdraw, which he did with dignity and pride. Needless to say the Rani was infuriated further and spoke harshly of Jaimall.

Question (5): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"And yet no one could say that you lack spirit, or are quite crushed by what she made you suffer.

a. Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to?

b. Who is 'she'?

c. Why does the Rana say this?

Answer: a. Rana Sangha is speaking to the Rani.

b. 'She' is the Rani's mother-in-law.

c. The Rani expressed her concern at Mirabai's attitude to her. She added that when, she the Rani was young; she had suffered greatly at the hands of her mother-in-law. The Rana makes this humourous reply.

Question (6): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"My faith is my own.

a. Who says this? Who is she addressing?

b. What had the Rana told her?

c. What does this show of the speaker?

Answer: a. This is said by Mirabai to Rana Sanga.

b. The Rana had asked her to worship their family deity Goddess Durga instead of Lord Krishna.

c. This shows that Mirabai was an independent minded girl.

Question (7): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"That's true enough, inside the palace and out.

a. Who speaks this and to whom?

b. Why does she say this?

Answer: a. Mirabai's old nurse says this to Sanjogta.

b. Sanjogta speaks of dark thunder that she can see. The nurse feels that there is darkness and thunder inside the palace also. Since Mirabai is confined to her room and everyone seemed to be plotting against her, the atmosphere within the palace seemed to be full of fear and tension.

Question (8): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"My wretched child, she whom I nursed from birth.. how thorny is the path her little feet have trod to Mewar.

a. Who is the wretched child?

b. Why does the nurse call her so?

c. Why does she call the road to Mewar especially 'thorny'?

Answer: a. Mirabai is the 'wretched child'.

b. Mirabai had no peace at all. She was constantly reprimanded for her unflinching devotion to Lord Krishna.

c. This is so because Mirabai is friendless in the huge palace. The Rani had plotted against her and all the attendants wanted to please the Rani. The old nurse and Sanjogta were the only ones who could be trusted.

Question (9): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"I paid in full, weighed to the utmost grain,
My love, my life, myself, my soul, my all.

a. To whom are these lines addressed?

b. What does she mean?

Answer: a. These lines are addressed to Lord Krishna by Mirabai.

b. She has gone through the test of drinking the 'Charnamrit' for disobeying the Rana's orders of worshipping Goddess Durga. She tells her Lord that she has paid by giving up herself, body and soul for her dear Lord.