Transcending the Temporal: Mystic Consciousness in the poetry of Rumi and Mirabai
Authors: - Fiona Das 
Published: November 2023

The world is moving towards the shore of chaos and degeneration. With the changing times, human beings are getting unaware of their inner consciousness the reason they fail to discover their spiritual needs. They have imprisoned themselves in their own narrow perspective and limited needs restricted only to body. Mystic poetry helps us to map the way to reach the divine and attain spiritual peace. The poems of both Rumi and Mirabai widen our perspective to view the world in unity. The stories of Rumi are not only humorous but entertaining at the same time. Along with this they give a good knowledge of the religious scriptures, mythology, beliefs and the life of prophets. Rumi and Mirabai were renowned mystics of their times and their aim was the same that is to make people aware of their inner being. Both the poets emphasise on the essence which is present in all the beings which comes from god. They believe that the sole aim of a human being must be to achieve union. They were non-conformist in their approach and have expressed the relationship between an individual and god by giving an image of a lover and beloved in their poems. Intense longing and passion to unite with the almighty are the chief traits of a seeker. Music and dance feature an important element in their poetry. They have compared the world of mystics and the world of ordinary human beings. Rumi has devoted a complete section in Masnavi book four, about the difference between a philosopher and a mystic. The philosophers view the world as the microcosm, whereas the mystics as the macrocosm because they view the world in unity. Mirabai also gives a lot of comparisons between the world of human beings and the world of mystics. Though the poems of both Rumi and Mirabai are similar in many aspects, yet they differ in some perspectives and degrees. Where there is emphasis on ecstasy and bliss of having achieved the union, in Rumi’s poems, there is much emphasis on rebelliousness and fearlessness in the poems of Mirabai. Rumi uses humorous stories and Koranic and Biblical parables to convey his ideas, whereas Mirabai connects this aspect to her own life. She uses autobiographical elements to strengthen the faith and devotion of readers. In Mirabai’s poetry, Sri Krishna is referred to as her lord, her lover and her husband. There is a complaining tone, as if complaining about her lost mate and imploring him again and again to come in front of her and end her longing. She becomes conversational in addressing to her lord, Sri Krishna, who is often described in homoerotic tendencies. This aspect is not seen in Rumi’s poems. Rumi describes the beauty of almighty, but he describes it through various metaphors, comparisons and images from nature like rose, gardens and many other. The poems of both Rumi and Mirabai concentrate on the similar aspect that is to make people realise their potential to unite with god. Their contribution in telling us about the process is immense; the reason both the poets have gained popularity over the years. Also, there is an increase in the demand for their translated works since the past decade.