Meera Bai (1498-1547 CE) was a great Hindu mystic poet and ardent devotee of Lord Krishna from her childhood. Born into a royal family of Rajasthan, she was one of the significant Sants of the Vaishnava Bhakti movement. Some 1300 poems written in passionate praise of Lord Krishna are credited to her.

Meera was a Rajput princess born about 1498 in Kudaki, Rajasthan.  However, according to some accounts the place of her birth was Chaukari, not Kudki. Mira’s father Ratan Singh Rathore was the younger son of Rao Dudaji, the ruler of the kingdom. He spent most of his time away from home fighting the Mughals. According to one accounts he died at a young age while fighting in a battle. Her mother too died when Mira was around seven years old and therefore, as a child Mira got very little parental care and affection. Mira received lessons in religion, politics and government from her grandfather Rao Dudaji. She was also well educated in music and art. She was married to Bhoj Raj, the ruler of Chittor in 1516. She took no interest in her spouse as she believed herself to be married to Lord Krishna.

Married off to Prince Bhoj Raj of Chittor at a tender age she was expected to lead the life of a princess and was pressured into devoting her time to her domestic duties. Yet, young as she was, she stood firm and devoted her life in the service of her Lord. Neither riches nor danger to her life could deter her from her path. When it became impossible to live within the royal household, she chose to leave home and went to Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna had spent his boyhood days. There she led the life of a saint, devoting her time in the service of Lord Krishna. She passed her last days at Dwarika, where Lord Krishna and his clan was said to have lived after leaving their original home at Mathura. According to popular belief, she miraculously merged with the image of Krishna in circa 1547 at the age of 49.

Historians believe that Meera Bai was a disciple of Guru Ravidas and accept popular beliefs which associate her with Sant Tulsidas and her interactions with Rupa Goswami in Vrindavan. As per Hindu lunar calendar, the day of Sharad Purnima is observed as the birth anniversary of Meerabai.