Bihari Lal

Bihari Lal Biography

Bihari Lal was a Hindi poet of ancient era, best known for writing philosophical and devotional verses. Satasai is his celebrated work, authored in Braj Bhasha dialect of Hindi (spoken in Mathura), and it contains Dohas, or couplets, on Bhakti (devotion), Neeti (Moral policies) and Shringara (love). The most celebrated Hindi work of poetic art, it is considered the most well-known book of the Ritikavya Kaal, when poets used to write for kings. Bihari Lal was a celebrated 17^th century poet, who lived during the period, 1595–1663. He spent his last years in Vrindavan, of present-day Uttar Pradesh.

Bihari Lal Chaube (Chaturvedi) was born in the year 1595 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He spent his childhood in Orchha in the Bundelkhand region with his father. In those days he got opportunity to learn poetry from the famous poet Kesavadas. He studied ancient Sanskrit texts during the early phase of his life. After marriage, he settled with his in-laws in Mathura. While at Mathura he got opportunity to present his poetry before Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who got deeply impressed and invited him to stay in Agra. He accepted the invitation and got shifted to Agra, where he met famous poet Rahim. He also learnt Persian language while at Agra.

One day Raja Jai Singh I happened to hear him, and invited him to Jaipur. He accepted the invitation and during his stay at Jaipur, he composed his greatest work, Satasai. After the death of his beloved wife, he renounced normal life and took to Bhakti life. He travelled to Brindavan, where he spent the last phase of his life. He passed away in 1663.

Published: September 29, 2018

Updated: September 29, 2018