Nanibai was the daughter of the 15th-century Saint and Panduranga Devotee, Sri Narsi Mehta. Similar to her father, she also dedicated her life in composing wonderful poems on Lord Krishna. Her Bhajans were very popular during her period, and she was born in the present day Gujarat. One of her best work on Lord Krishna is “SRI KRISHNA BHAKTAMIRTHAM”, which tells her staunch faith and bhakti towards Lord Krishna.
Nanibai was married to a wealthy person at her teenage. Though she behaved very calmly with her husband and with her in-laws, however she was tortured by them, for being shown great bhakti towards Lord Krishna. But even then, she patiently moved with them, and she didn’t express her anger with them. She had a daughter and during the time of her daughter’s marriage, her in-laws demanded huge sums of gold and money from her. Poor Nanibai couldn’t do anything on her own, and, hence, she heartily worshipped Lord Krishna to do the needful. Pleased by her devotion, Lord Krishna transformed in the form of her brother, went to her in-laws house, and gave several lakhs of rupees worth of golden ornaments and also gave huge money in the form of cash.
Due to that, Nanibai’s daughter marriage was performed very grandly, and her in-laws also treated her in a kind manner. Nanibai remained as a dutiful householder, throughout her lifetime, and also showed her staunch devotion on Lord Krishna. It is believed that after her death, she has attained salvation.
Some of her mesmerising songs on Lord Krishna are as follows:-
1. Hey! Panduranga, Gopala, Krishna, I really wonder, how you are protecting all of your devotees like your own child! Hey Madava, Madusudana, by remembering you and by keeping you on my soul, I find great satisfaction, which I could not get anywhere else.
2. Hey! My beloved Lord Krishna, I don’t want to spend sleepless nights anymore. Please come, hold my hands, and take me to your abode, the Holy Vaikunta.
3. Hey! Krishna, among the metals, you are the pure gold, among the animals, you are the holy cow, among the Devas, you are the mighty god Indra, among the Demons, you are the pure and pious Prahalada, among the birds, you are the holy bird, Garuda, among the insects, you are the busy ant, among the reptiles, you are the Holy Adisesha, among the devotees, you are Dhruva!
4. Hey! Krishna, I am finding great joy in singing divine songs on you, I am finding happiness in reciting your lovely names, I am finding cheerfulness, by thinking about your childhood plays, I find the taste of the divine Amirtha on my lips, whenever I eat your Holy Prasad, after offering it to you!
5. Hey! Neela Mega Shyamala, I feel jealous of your Gopika Friends, since they had the opportunity to listen to your wonderful flute music, and they also heard about your lovely speech. Please show your divine appearance, at least once to me, in order to get great happiness in my life!
“JAI SRIKRISHNA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR