The Legend "MAA LIRBAI"

Folk story of Sati LIRBAI MAA who belongs to Maher Community in Porbandar District

Saga of Maher Community belongs to Barda region- Porbandar

Sati Shree LIRBAI Mataji

Village: Modhvada District: Porbandar

· The story of LIRBAI MAA has been passed on from generation to generation for many years. The story begins jeevan Modhvgadia belong to the village Modhvada. He was well known in Modhvada, However people knew him for all the reasons. People used to try and avoid him, and try not to catch his eye; if they did they used to shake with fear. Though Jeevan was notorious, he had ardent faith in God. Once he visited the holy place of Saint Devidas i.e., Parab. He stole two bulls from the Patel. He then came in the holy place meanwhile the Patel came and asked Saint Devidas about his bulls. Saint Devidas replied saying that no one goes to parab if it is a thief. Jeevan overheard the dialogue and frightened because of his deed. Meanwhile, the Patel entered to see if his bulls were there. It was a miracle that his white bulls turn in to black.

· The Patel was little bit surprise to see the similar bulls difference in colours. When the Patel left jeevan suddenly approached Saint Devidad and confess his crime. He realised that Bhakti marga was the only path for his life. From that day he was known as Jeevan Bhagat and rendered his services and bhakti for 12 years. One day Saint Devidas told him to go in his own land for social service. When he was coming back he happened to stop at the village Nekadi where he sang Bhajans at once Ahir’s family function. The next morning he was about to leave when the Ahir’s daughter sonal requested him to join Bhakti Marga.

· Sonal’s parents didn’t like such demand. Of course it was not proper for a girl to with an unknown man, sonal didn’t say anything and she went to the near by well to fetch water. As she written it was a miracle that her fingers head divas on than. It was enough for Sonal’s family that Sonal was not an ordinary woman. She was very pious sati. Thus, they allowed her to be with Jeevan Bhagat. Now sonal would became Son Bai. They came back to Modhvada after so many years.

· People started gossiping about these two person. Son Bai face was full of glow and radiant that nobody could dare to look at her. Thus people realised that this woman was divine lady then they also came to know about Jeevan Bhagat. Both started living in a little hut at the out skurt off Modhvada village near ‘The Bava Vav’. Now people also started considering Son Bai as ‘Shakti Roopa’ and they often came to know asharam for Bhajan, Prayers and Prasad. Here one little girl of seven years used to came to help this couple. She was Liry the daughter of Lathi and Luno. She also like to sing Bhajans and she was very much loved like a daughter by Son Bai Jeevan Bhagat.

· As Liry grew old many suiters started coming with marriage proposal. One person was Jetha Keshvala from the village Keshav. Liry’s papa asked the Son Bai and Jeevan Bhagat about Liry’s marriage. They advised him to start repairing with the name of Ramapir’s and Liry married to Jetha’s son Vajshi on her marriage Son Bai advised ghar to perform the duty of wife obediently.

· After marriage Vajshi used to torture Liry often but Liry bews advised by Son Bai never raised her voice. One day she couldn’t bare it and she returned to Modhvada at her parents home. She once again started passing her time with Bhajan’s at son BAi’s place. Here Vajshi was taunted by his friends on failure of his marriage life. They also poisoned his ears against Son Bai and Jeevan Bhagat also. In anger Vajshi came to Modhvada and directly visited to the place of Son Bai. Where he over heard the conversation between Son Bai and Liry.

· Son Bai was advising Liry that a husband is like a God and it is not fair to be at parents house after marriage. Vajshi realised the fact and he poured down to Son Bai and Jeevan Bhagat. Appologing for forgiveness. Then jeevan Bhagat told them to do Barporo Paath( Ramapir’s Ritual ) at bij. Liry agreed to be Vajshi and she came back to Keshod. Now Vajshi became Vajshi Bhagat and Liry became Lir Bai Maa. Vajshi Bhagat changed drastically and choose ‘Bhakti Marga’.

· LIRBAI MAA went on to have two boys Punjo and Patho and daughter Puti. The whole atmosphere of the family turned into holy that people used to come here for bhajan’s and Prasad.

· One day Vajshi Bhagat was ill. People advised him for medicine. But he feet that it was a proper time to go for Samadhi. LIRBAI MAA she told to take that she was the first to take that first only Vajshi Bhagat would go. Meanwhile, their daughter Puti 10 years old can gave her life to her death. By offering tulsi leaves and Water. Then she became Sati Puti Aai. As time passed Lir Bai wanted to have Samadhi but Sarpanch of Modhvada told her that the people of Modhvada couldn’t hear to see their daughter Samadhi in their home. Lir Bai Maa came to keshav than decided to go to Kandora. In kandora she arranged a big Bar Pora Path. One day she declared that her time is over and decided to have Samadhi on Maha Beach. Vikaram savant 1832 later on Vajshi Bhagat also too his Samadhi a year later.

· There are many temples of Lir Bai Maa in villages like Modhvada, Keshav Kotdi, pana kandoria, Sisli. People even today believe in LIRBAI MAA. She Has certainly uplifted the name of Maher community. As a Sati LIRBAI MAA made certain traditions. Such as not to believe in caste and creed, not to live family life but perform with honesty, to render services for poor and ill people and birds as well as animals, to perform Bhajan’s regulatory. Even today the follower of LIRBAI MAA persuade the tradition established by LIRBAI MAA. Her Bhajan’s are very much easily understand and famous in Saurashtra.