Mirabai: Ecstatic Poems

Mirabai is a legendary literary and spiritual figure. Born a princess in Rajasthan in 1498 Mira (as she is more commonly known) eschewed the marriage her royal family had arranged for her celebrating instead her right to independence and intense devotion to Krishna in both her life and poetry. In this collection two acclaimed poets Robert Bly and Jane Hirshfield have created lively English versions of Mirabai’s poems using fresh images and energetic rhythms to make them accessible to modern readers.The FluteThe song of the flute O sister is madness.I thought that nothing that was not God could hold meBut hearing that sound I lose mind and bodyMy heart wholly caught in the net.O flute what were your vows what is your practice?What power sits by your side?Even Mira’s Lord is trapped in your seven notes.