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There is a very popular story regarding Akbar and Meera Bai, the famous devotee of Lord Krishna.
Akbar and Meera were contemporaries...that is they live in the same times. After Akbar had formed a relationship with some of the Rajput States, he was allowed free access and it was known that he used to go about his kindgome in disguise, to see how things were going.
He had heard many stories about Meera (the erstwhile princess of Jodhpur, who was now the wife of King Bhoj of Chittor) and her divine voice...hence, he decided to secretly visit Meera and see what the fuss was all about.
But the family of Chittor and Akbar were sworn enemies at that time and there was no way that, Akbar, a Muslim King, could ever meet, Meera, a married hindu woman, without causing a war. So he and Tansen both dressed as commoners and went to the Krishna Temple where Meerabai was known to worship on a daily basis. Akbar took his favorite poet and courtier, Tansen along with him.
In the temple, devotees were singing and dancing. Right in the centre was Mirabai, singing most soulfully.
Akbar and Tansen were deeply moved by Mirabai's beautiful voice and her soulful prayers to God. To show his gratitude, Akbar placed a diamond necklace at the feet of Mirabai's little statue of Lord Krishna. Those who were present were amazed at the mendicant's gesture. They wondered if perhaps somebody quite rich had come in the form of a mendicant. After Akbar had made his offering, he and Tansen quietly slipped away.
In a few days' time, it became known that it was the Emperor himself who had come. Mirabai's husband became enraged and said to his wife, "You have incurred the worst possible sin. You are a Hindu princess, but you have allowed a Muslim to look at your face. I can look at you no more. You have to go to the river and drown yourself!"
Poor Mirabai! She was so miserable at this turn of events. She was not responsible for what had happened. But even so, she was ready to enter into the river and commit suicide. She walked towards the river, accompanied by some of her followers and devotees. She was about to enter into the river when Lord Krishna appeared and grabbed her. He said to his dearest devotee, "No, I do not want you to commit suicide. You have done nothing wrong. Please leave this place and come to Brindaban. There you will see Me."
So Mirabai left her husband and, with a few followers, went to Brindaban.
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