Wake up Man!

You are like a traveller in this alien land, like a guest in a caravanserai.¹

Mira Bai had been given the everlasting treasure, the Naam, by her Master Ravi Das, and had seen the transitory state of the world. She had realised this in the temple of her body, and now she tried to make others see also:

Human birth is a rare Divine Gift. It is difficult to obtain it over again. Some good deed performed in the past life has secured this present human birth for you. Besides the span of life is short and ephemeral, utilise this opportunity to cross the ocean of births and deaths. Ride the boat of Naam, steer carefully and cross over with ease. Like the game of chess is this life, play well the pawns and do not lose the chance. The Saints and Enlightened Ones, as They pass on, sing like Mira words full of wisdom: Wake up, Man! Slumber no more! Short is the span of life.²

Mira would illustrate the lesson with colourful anecdotes from the lives of the Saints of the past and also of her own time, such as Kabir, Dhanna, Namdev, Sadna, Saina, and Pipa – all of Whom were enlightened by the Way of Naam.³

She explained that the practice of Naam was different and far easier than all the other ways. She did not lay much stock in outer practices. Time and again Mira emphasised the greatness and need for the company of a Saint and of Gurubhakti and Naam-Bhakti.

If you seek the Lord, seek Him among the Saints, Who are of His ilk. Fix not great faith in outwardly donning the mendicant’s garb and seek Him not in the jungle. Such a search is futile. What avails thee bathing in the Ganges or repairing to Kashi, if thou hast no faith? Remember the search in the wind and waters is futile. To no purpose is it to hold big sacrifices. He is not met therein. The Lord dwells in the midst of Saints. Seek Him in Satsang. So says Mira Bai.⁴

The Path of Realisation outlined in the Vedas is labyrinthine and long; but I came across the easy way to Him.⁵

In the beginning there may be some difficulty in doing Simran of the Naam, but Mira Bai assures that for those who pursue it with devotion and zeal, its practice becomes the easiest and sweetest of all:

If you desire to taste the sweetness of Hari Naam dwell in the company of Saints. True, in the beginning the constant repetition of the Name is trying and bitter. But in due course it tastes sweet and refreshing like the mango. Be not vain. Remember in the end the body will turn to ashes.⁶

Like all Saints, Mira affirmed that the nature of Naam is transcendent Light and Sound Principle. whose fullness is found in the human body. By the Grace of her Master, Mira Bai merged with this Great Ocean of Naam.

When the Satguru did come and offer His guidance, then was my Light mingled in the Great Light.⁷

Making my body a Sound-box, I play on it many notes in the mind, with a view to wake up my slumbering soul.⁸

My heart is full to the brim, infatuated with the Melody of the Lord’s Name.⁹

In the end Mira gives all homage to her Guru:

The Great Teacher is my refuge. To Him I bow, lying down on the floor. Oh Lord of Mira, Girdhar Nagar, thus am I freed from the bondage of birth and death.¹⁰

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Footnotes: 1) Behari, op. cit., p. 124. 2) Ibid., p. 114. 3) Ibid., pp. 108, 110, 111, 113–114, 115, 117, 121, 128; Tandan, op. cit., pp. 20, 48, 49. 4) Behari, op. cit., pp. 130–131. 5) Ibid., p. 136. 6) Ibid., p. 131. 7) Tandan, op. cit., p. 49. 8) Behari, op. cit., p. 109. 9) Ibid., p. 131. 10) Tandan, op. cit., p. 42.