For Love of the Dark One:Song of Miraba

by First Last

Erotic, rebellion, spiritual thirst, a strong hint of early feminism, and a steaming animal passion, these are what makes Mirabai's songs irrepressible four centuries after she sang them. To open this book is to get close to the oldest kind of song, sweet and bitter, sage and spontaneous. And to remember why we're on earth.

Genres: Poetry, Religion, Philosophy

100 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2015

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect for when you are feeling like a tormentic, obsessive whore but in a yearning for God way

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is a good example of "bridal mysticism". Lovers of the romance genre will like the theme of a brave, rebellious princess pining away for an eternal bad boy archetype in the form of the youthful trickster aspect of Krishna intriguing. However, those looking for information on the Bhakt Sant Mirabai may find Andrew Schelling's feminist interpretation of Mirabai offputting. This is the first book on Mirabai I encountered and the most attractive rendering of her bhajans (devotional songs/poetry) I know of.I recommend studying other translations of her work to form a fuller opinion of her. This version of Mirabai's poetry is probably the most attractive one to Western readers but I suspect that Andrew Schelling's focus on her lustiness may make him overlook the devotional aspects of her adoration of Krishna. These poems stand in their own right as fine lyrical love poetry.

The nearest Western equivalent to Mirabai I know of is St. Theresa with her ecstatic visions.

[Ivan Granger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew Schelling's translations embody that tension between heartbreak and ecstasy that runs through all of Mirabai's poetry. These poems can be read as love poems or as spiritual poems -- but, of course, they are both. A lovely collection.

[Randy Cauthen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Translation seems a little prosaic. Good brief introduction, plus a discography of performances of Mirabai's songs.

[Tod Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful!