Introduction :
Taj Bibi was an ardent devotee of Shri Krishn. She was born in the 17th century. Taj Bibi's father's name was Padna Khan. Taj Bibi was married to Emperor Akbar.
Spiritual Life :
Akbar's minister Birbal's daughter Shobhavati and Jaimal's daughter Lilavati had unrelenting faith at the lotus feet of Shri Vitthalnath Ji, and both of them were devotees of Shri Krishn. Both used to come to see Shrinathji in Govardhan. Lilavati and Shobhavati used to come to Taj Bibi. Taj Bibi had the opportunity to associate with Krishn's devotees and she used to hear the pastimes of Shri Krishn, due to which love towards Shri Krishn arose in Taj Bibi's heart.
When Birbal's daughter Shobhavati used to come to meet Taj Bibi, she often used to talk about Vrindavan and Gusain Shri Vitthalnath Ji. Shobhavati told Taj Bibi the glory of Braj Dham and Gusain Shri Vitthalnath Ji so much that Taj Bibi started craving for Braj Dham and Gusain Shri Vitthalnath Ji's darshan.
First Arrival to Vrindavan :
Emperor Akbar had great reverence for Gusain Shri Vitthalnath Ji in his heart and he used to come to Govardhan from time to time to have darshan of Gusain Ji. Once Taj Bibi came to Govardhan to see Gusain Ji with permission from Akbar. After seeing Gusain Ji, Taj Bibi stayed in Govardhan for some time and started participating in Gusain Ji's Satsang. Taj Bibi visited many places of pastimes and temples in Braj. Taj Bibi did not feel like going out of Braj after seeing the beautiful forests and bowers of Braj Dham but still, she returned to Delhi after a few days as per Akbar's orders.
Taj Bibi came back from Braj but her mind was wandering in Braj itself. She started chanting the name of Shri Krishn.
Striving for permanent stay in Vrindavan :
Taj Bibi had brought with her a picture of Shri Krishn from Braj, and she started serving him by offering flowers and fruits. Now Taj Bibi started getting attached to the beautiful form of Shri Krishn and started thinking that "How to get the permanent stay of Braj Dham? If I ask permission from Emperor Akbar, he will not let me go." Thinking like this, once Taj Bibi came to Govardhan to have Gusain Ji's darshan. After seeing Gusain Ji, Taj Bibi said to Gusain Ji, "Your Majesty, please do something that my husband fulfills my inner desire."
Gusain Ji said, "Follow every order of your husband, he will definitely fulfill your wish."
After this, Taj Bibi returned to Delhi and started following every order of Akbar. One day Akbar thought that Taj Bibi obeys my every command, I should also fulfill her wish. Thinking so, Akbar asked Taj Bibi "What is your wish, please tell me. I will fulfill your wish."
Taj Bibi thought that if I ask for a permanent stay in Vrindavan, Akbar would refuse, so Taj Bibi said "Maharaj, I want to reside in the palace of Agra, please send me to Agra." Akbar agreed to this and sent Taj Bibi to Agra by boat via the Yamuna. Agra is situated on the border of Braj. Therefore, Taj Bibi now often came to visit places like Govardhan, Gokul, Vrindavan, Barsana, etc.
Taj Bibi's love for Vrindavan :
Taj Bibi also used to come to listen to Gusain Ji's devotional discourses. She used to be immersed in the contemplation of the pastime she listened to in the discourse. Now Taj Bibi's heart started burning in the separation of Shri Krishn and she kept crying for the darshan of Shri Krishn. The dress of Taj Bibi had also changed.
One day Emperor Akbar came to Agra. In Agra, Akbar's other wives complained to Akbar about Taj Bibi that "Taj Bibi has changed completely, her dress has also changed. Leaving the verses of the Quran, she used to embrace the picture of Shri Krishn to her heart and kept crying. She always chants Krishn-Krishn. Her eating habits have also changed. Please pay attention to Taj Bibi or else people will start discussing this topic."
When Emperor Akbar heard the details of Taj Bibi from the queens, he was so impressed And he was very happy within his heart. Akbar did not say anything to Taj Bibi and did not stop her from anything.
The maid of Taj Bibi told Taj Bibi that "All the queens are complaining to Akbar against you."
Taj Bibi did not say anything to anyone and started praying to her beloved Shri Krishn -
Suno Dil Jani, Mere Dil Ki Kahani Tum,
Husn Ki Bikani, Badnami Bhi Sahungi Main. [1]
Dev Pooja Thani, Main Namaj Hun Bhulani,
Taje Kalama Kuran, Tere Gunan Gahungi Main. [2]
Sanwara Salauna Sarataj Sar Kulhe Daar,
Tere Neh Dag Mein Nidag Hvai Rahungi Main. [3]
Nand Ke Kumar Qurban Thani Surat Pai,
Haun to Mugalani Hinduani Hvai Rahungi Main. [4]
Taj Begum [Taj Bibi] says that O my lover [Shri Krishn], please listen to the story of my heart; your divine form has captivated my heart and now I have given up the decorum of society and ready to bear all the insults. [1]
Now, forgetting the ‘Namaz’ [Islamic prayer], May I worship your most beautiful form and forgetting the couplets of the Quran, O, Krishn, I will now recite your qualities exclusively. [2]
O, the crest jewel among all, the most revered one, Lord Krishn, I shall now become your selfless devotee. [3]
O son of Nand, I sacrifice myself upon your beautiful face, although I am a Muslim by birth; but for You, My Lord Krishn, I will become Hindu and ready to bear all opposition of society. [4]
Permanent stay in Vrindavan and divine darshan of Shri Govind dev Ji :
Taj Bibi now started praying to Shri Krishn for a permanent stay in Vrindavan all the time. There was neither a devotional association nor kirtan in the palace, so Taj Bibi started feeling sad. She started remembering the temple of Braj and the saints. Taj Bibi also started taking very little food due to which her body started getting weak. A maid told Akbar about the condition of Taj Bibi to Akbar. Akbar came to Taj Bibi and asked her, "You have been sad and weeping for a long time, what are you sad about?"
Taj Bibi said, "I want to reside in Vrindavan, where I will receive daily association of devotees and will have darshan of saints."
Akbar said, "You have devotion to Shri Krishn in your heart, which is attained only by someone with great fortune, don't worry, I will make arrangements for your stay in Vrindavan, you go and reside in Vrindavan."
Taj Bibi came to Vrindavan and started living in a hut. At that time the temple of Shri Govinddev Ji was famous in Vrindavan. Taj Bibi had a desire to have darshan of Shri Govinddev Ji, but she did not go inside the temple considering herself as a mleccha. Although Taj Bibi was not barred from coming to the temple. Taj Bibi used to return regularly after bowing on the door at the gate of Shri Govinddev temple. But there was a desire in the heart of Taj Bibi to have the darshan of Shri Govind Dev Ji. She used to think that "I cannot enter the temple with this mlechha body, and I may never get the darshan of Shri Govinddev Ji. But the Lord is the knower of everything, He knows the desire of my heart. When the Lord will inspire the heart of a priest and the priest will call me inside the temple, then I will get the good fortune to have darshan of the Lord." Thinking like this, she would come to the temple gate every day, pay obeisance on the door and return to her hut. Many days passed by doing this, but none of the priests called her inside the temple.
One day Taj Bibi came to Govinddev temple and after bowing on the doorway, started saying to Shri Govinddev Ji with some anger, "You are the ocean of mercy, then why such cruelty to me? Can I not even have your darshan! So now I will never come to your temple. I will not even take food and water until you come and give your darshan. Saying this to the Lord, Taj Bibi returned to her hut. 3 days had passed but Taj Bibi did not take food and water. Her body became weak but she kept on weeping remembering Shri Krishn. In the middle of the night, Taj Bibi started having unbearable pain of separation. At the same time she heard a solemn voice "Taj, look, I have brought you food and water."
When she turned and saw, her hut was filled with blue light and in that blue light, she saw Shri Govinddev Ji standing with food and water. Taj Bibi fainted after seeing Shri Govind Dev Ji. Shri Govinddev Ji kept food and water there and disappeared. When Taj Bibi regained consciousness, she started thinking about whether it was a dream or truth. A divine fragrance pervaded the entire hut. When Taj Bibi looked on the ground, she saw the same plate of food and the jar of water which was in the Lord's hands. Taj Bibi understood that the Lord had really come. Taj Bibi thought that it was because of my vow that the Lord had to suffer to come here at night. Taj Bibi felt very remorseful. Giving her patience, Taj Bibi accepted Lord's prasad. Taj Bibi had never experienced such a taste of Prasad in her life. Her body began to thrill and her heart was filled with a renewed enthusiasm. Taj Bibi started getting visions of the divine pastimes in her heart. Taj Bibi wrote those pastimes in verses. The verse of Shri Krishn's Darshan is as follows -
Chhail Jo Chhabila, Sab Rang Mein Rangila
Bada Chitt Ka Adeela, Kahoon Devaton Se Nyara Hai. [1]
Maal Gale Sohai, Naak-Moti Set Jo Hai Kaan,
Kundal Man Mohai, Lal Mukut Sir Dhaara Hai. [2]
Dushtajan Maare, Sab Sant Jo Ubaare Taaj,
Chitt Mein Nihaare Pran, Preeti Karan Vaara Hai. [3]
Nandaju Ka Pyara, Jin Kans Ko Pachhaara,
Vah Vrindavan Vaara, Krishn Saaheb Hamara Hai. [4]
He is very cheeky, colorful & joyful, very adamant, and unique among all the gods. [1]
His neck is garnished with a garland, nose is embellished with nose-pearl, whose ears are adorned with captivating earrings and His head is decorated with a beautiful crown. [2]
He destroyed all the wicked ones, and is the protector of saints. He is full of love and the Supreme appreciator of devotional sentiment. [3]
He is the charming son of Shri Nanda Ji who defeated the cruel Kans. He belongs to Vrindavan, and His name is Krishn. He is the Lord of my Life, says Taj [Bibi]. [4]
The next morning, in the temple of Shri Govinddev Ji, the priests started searching for the plate of Lord's bhog (food offering) and the jar of water, but no one could find it. The priests of the temple were astonished that if the temple was closed, then how could the plate of bhog and the jar of water disappear. Here in the hut, Taj Bibi cleaned the plate of bhog and the jar of water and sent it to the temple by the hand of the maid. When the maid reached the temple with a plate of bhog and a jar of water, the priests of the temple were stunned. The priest asked the maid that "how did you get the plate of bhog and the jar of water"
The maid said, "Queen Taj Bibi has sent this."
The priests came to Taj Bibi and started asking Taj Bibi, "How did the plate of bhog and the jar of water come to you."
Taj Bibi narrated the whole story. The priests began applauding the great fortune of Taj Bibi. This story gradually spread in the entire Braj Dham. People from far and wide started coming to see Taj Bibi, due to which Taj Bibi started getting distracted in her devotion. After a few days, Taj Bibi crossed the Yamuna and went to Gokul Mahavan, and spent the rest of her life there.
Composition :
Taj Bibi has composed many verses, which include the verses of Vinay (request), Roop Madhuri (beautiful form), Aishwarya (opulence), Prem (love), etc. For example -
Allah Bisamilla Rahimaan Aur Rahim Chhod,
Peer Aur Shahidon Ki Charcha Na Chalaungi. [1]
Suthana Utaar Pahin Ghaanghra Ghumaavdar,
Phariya Ko Phaar Sheesh Choonari Chadhaungi. [2]
Kahat Shahjaadi Thakur Kavi Son Paij Kar,
Vrindavan Chhod Ab Kitahun Na Jaungi. [3]
Baandi Banungi Radha-Maharani Ju Ki,
Turkini Bahaay Naam Gopika Kahaungi. [4]
She says, Renouncing all the forms of God and the messengers of God, including Allah, Bismillah, Rahim, ‘Peer’ and other martyrs, I won’t talk anything about them. I will talk only about Shri Radha Krishna from now onwards. [1]
Removing my traditional dress, I will wear beautiful Hindu dress. Throwing my headscarves, I will wear beautiful Chunari. [2]
I am telling this with all the confidence and modesty that I will never leave this beautiful Vrindavan Dham of my beloved, at any cost. [3]
I will become the servant of Shri Radha Maharani, and I will be called “Gopi” from today, throwing my old name in the water. [4]
Disappearance :
Taj Bibi left her body in Gokul Mahavan and attained Shri Radha Krishn's pastimes in the form of a Gopi. This is where Taj Bibi's samadhi is located.