Bahinabai (1628–1700AD) is a female saint from Maharashtra, India. She is considered as a disciple of Tukaram. She was born into a brahmin family.
LIFE
She was born in northern Maharashtra, and there she spent her childhood. She started chanting of God’s names from an early age. Bahinabai was married at a younger age. By the age of eleven, she with her family settled in Kolhapur.
Tukaram initiated her into the path of bhakti, and instructed her to chant the name of Vithoba. Some people considered her as a mad woman, while others considered her as a saint.
According to Bahinabai, serving to husband, and serving to god must be considered equally. And she took care of her husband properly, though he has harassed her physically and verbally. She has tolerated all the sufferings and has given respect to her husband, and she was the mother of two children.
DEVOTIONAL WORKS
Apart from her biography, Bahinabai composed several poems, in praise of Lord Vithoba. She has also written Pundalika-Mahatmyam.
IMPORTANCE
She has lived a saintly life without leaving her husband. According to her, doing duty to husband is much greater than worshipping god, and she has done both of the duties in a proper manner. She was a great Vithoba devotee.
CONCLUSION
Bahinabai acts as an example to others and she lived a pious life, by chanting the names of Lord Vithoba. Though now she is not available with her physical body, we can never forget her true bhakti on Lord Vithoba. Let us worship her and be blessed.
“OM SREE BAHINABAI THAYE NAMAHA”
“OM SREE VITHOBA PRABUVE NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR