Question

The songs composed by Mirabai praising Lord Krishna are called_________
A. Abhangas
B. Padas
C. Bhajans
D. Dohas

Answer 1

Hint: Mirabai was a 16th century saint from Rajasthan. She was known for her greatest devotion to Lord Krishna. Mirabai belonged to the Bhakti tradition.

Complete Step by Step answer: Mirabai was born in a rajput family in the pali district of Rajasthan. She was a Hindu mystic poet and saint who was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. The songs which Mirabai composed praising Lord Krishna are called Bhajans. Thousands of hymns composed by Mirabai are sung across India today. Although scholars argue that not all of them are authentic and written by Mirabai herself.
Mirabai’s poems consisted of metric verses which were written in Rajasthani language. Mirabai was a Bhakti saint. It was at that point when India was going through a lot of religious conflict. The Bhakti movement originated in Southern India during the 8th century. The Bhakti movement centred around different gods and goddesses like Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and Smartism. One of the key features of the Bhakti movement was that they preached in the local language so that the messages reached the local people.
Looking at the options:
Option A: Abhang is a devotional hymn sung in the praise of Hindu god Vitthal. Therefore it is not the correct answer.
Option B: Padas is a Sanskrit term for foot. Therefore it is incorrect.
Option C: Bhajans were said to be hymns composed by Mirabai for Lord Krishna. Hence it is the correct answer.
Option D: Dohas are two liners which are self contained poetry. Hence it is not the correct answer.
Option ‘C’ is the correct answer.

 Note: Mirabai’s father was Ratan Singh. He and Akbar were fierce enemies. Akbar heard about Mirabai and wanted to see her. He dressed like a beggar and decided to visit her. This news however reached Mirabai’s husband Bhoj Raj who was furious that a muslim ruler had set eyes upon his wife. He asked Mirabai to commit suicide by drowning in a river. When she was entering the river, Lord Krishna appeared before her and asked her to go to Brindaban where she could worship him.