Through this award-winning novel, the author has attempted to illuminate a lesser-known chapter of Meerabai’s life

Meera

By Debasree Chakraborti

At dawn, Meera and Bhojraj bathed and performed a joint puja (worship) of Giridharji. Afterward, they were brought to the western wing, where Meera’s aunt, Ramabai, and the other women began a sacred ritual. The newlywed couple was seated side by side and welcomed formally with a traditional aarti. Then, Meera’s veil was lifted so that everyone could behold her face.

Ramabai felt as though Meera’s beauty had doubled overnight. She looked like the goddess Lakshmi herself.

Meera’s aunt applied tilak to the couple’s foreheads and gave them precious gifts. The other women, too, came forward, offering various expensive ornaments and blessings.

When everyone had finished their part, Meera’s aunt turned to Ramabai and said,

“Rama, now it’s your turn to welcome them.”

Without hesitation, Ramabai stepped forward, performed the ritual for the bride and groom, and then placed a gold necklace around Meera’s neck. With a trembling voice, she said,

“My father had this necklace made for my wedding. But I never married, so I kept it safe, waiting for the day I could gift it at your wedding, Rajkumari Sa.”

Tears flowed silently from Ramabai’s eyes, falling in droplets onto Meera’s hands.

Then Ramabai handed another gold necklace to Bhojraj and said, “Kunwar Sa, this was crafted by my father for his would-be son-in-law…”

“Before I was born, the Lord must have forgotten to create a husband for me. That’s why I never got married. So this gold necklace is yours,” said Ramabai.

Just as the newlywed couple had respectfully greeted every elder woman, they now bowed before Ramabai in the same way. Ramabai lifted both hands and blessed them. Then she said,

“Kunwar Sa, I’ve raised your wife with these very hands, holding her close to my heart. Please make sure she doesn’t face any pain in Mewar.”

Kunwar Bhojraj nodded and replied, “Meera will be very well looked after. You need not worry. Mewar is blessed to receive such a virtuous daughter-in-law.”

The distance between Merta and Mewar was long, so Meera’s farewell ceremony began early at dawn. Outside the fort, a grand entourage of camels, elephants, and horses stood waiting in full ceremonial dress.

All of Meera’s family members stood together. Her aunt placed a dry coconut, along with rice and a gold coin, on top of a golden pot and handed it to Meera, saying,

“Meera, when you reach your in-laws’ home, present this to your mother-in-law with respect. This is the tradition of our Marwar.”

Meera stepped forward, folded her hands, and bid farewell to everyone.

Her father, Ratan Singh, was standing beside Jaimal. As Meera folded her hands in front of her father, he gently placed his hand on her head and said,

“Meera, it’s not easy to bid farewell to a daughter. A daughter is the goddess Lakshmi of the household — I don’t know how I’ll ever let her go.”

Tears welled up in Meera’s eyes. Still, she held her emotions tightly in check, knowing that if her family saw her cry, none of them would be able to hold themselves together — and her departure would become impossible.

When she came before Jaimal, he gripped her hand tightly and said, “I’ll accompany you all the way to the border of Merta, Meera. Say your goodbye to me then.”

But the most difficult farewell for Meera was with Rao Dudaji. As soon as she stood before her grandfather, she could no longer hold back. Even before a word was spoken, both granddaughter and grandfather broke down in tears.

Looking at Bhojraj, Rao Dudaji said, “This heart of mine sheltered Meera like spreading branches of a tree. After her mother died, I brought her home as a tiny sapling. I gave her water, light, air, warmth — everything — and now I hand her over to you. Take care of her. Keep Meera well, Bhojraj.”

Bhojraj held Rao Dudaji’s hand gently and replied with reassurance, “Your hopes have been fulfilled. Your granddaughter will never be a servant at anyone’s feet — she will reign as the empress of hearts.”

Jaimal helped Meera onto the camel and drew the curtains around her. Then the shehnai began to play. Merta’s artists sang and danced, escorting the wedding procession up to the borders of Merta. On behalf of the royal family of Merta, many valuable gifts were presented to the groom’s party. Additionally, Jaimal sent several palanquins filled with the wedding gifts Meera had received.

According to Meera’s instructions, many of those gifts were distributed among the people of Merta who had lined the roads to see her off. The remaining gifts she took along to share with the people of Mewar.

Raising clouds of dust, the wedding procession crossed the borders of Merta and began its journey toward Mewar. Sitting on the camel, Meera lifted the curtain on her right and saw her brother — her childhood companion, Jaimal — standing beside his horse, looking at her steadily.

Slowly, Jaimal’s form began to fade into the distance, eventually dissolving into the haze of dust. Now there was nothing left to see — only a shimmering mirage on the horizon. (Continues)

Click here for Part-1, Part-2, Part-3, Part-4, Part-5, Part-6, Part-7, Part-8, Part-9, Part-10, Part-11, 

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Debasree Chakraborti is a renowned novel writer of Bengali language. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, she has done Master’s in Modern History from the Kolkata University, and authored some thirty books, mostly the novels, with historical perspective and themes. Her novel is ‘Maharaja Dahir’ that covers the history of Sindh from 662, the year of first attack on Sindh by the Arab armies till date, was published last year and translated by Nasir Aijaz into Sindhi language.