Lord Krishna is one of the most endearing deities of India mythology and is considered to be one of the ten avatars of lord Vishnu. The cult of Krishna is popular all over India. He is, at time, the simple cowherd indulging the milkmaids in playful banter. At other times, he is the supreme intellectual – expounding philosophy of the Gita. Krishna’s beguiling childish pranks and his dignified wisdom have, in turn, influenced the Hindu consciousness for centuries.

But he is perhaps the most popular as Krishna, the divine lover, playing his celestial flute on the moonlit banks of river Yamuna. And it is this form of Krishna that has come to us through the devotional lyrics of Mirabai.

There is no dearth of mystics in India. But among them Mirabai is unique. She was born a princess, and become a queen through marriage. Yet she chose to abide only in the kingdom of Krishna, unswerving in her immutable faith and devotion. Uncharitable relatives and doubting friends could not hinder her devotion. She had given herself to Krishna – she belonged to him completely.

The sweetness and passion of Mirabai’s songs in praise of Krishna made them popular all over the land. Even today, her lyrics remain a rich heritage of mystic poetry in India the story of Mira as narrated in this book is based on legend rather than on historical facts.