Akka Mahadevi
Om Sri Guru Basavalingaya Namah
Akka Mahadevi was a prominent saint of the Lingayat/Veerashaiva faith during the 12th century. She composed around 430 Vachanas (a form of spontaneous mystical poems). The term Akka ("elder Sister") is an honorific given to her by great Lingayat saints such as Basavanna, Siddharama and Allamaprabhu as an indication of her contribution to the spiritual discussions held at the "Anubhava Mantapa". She is seen as an inspirational woman for Kannada literature and the history of Karnataka. She considered Lord Shiva ('Chenna Mallikarjuna') as her husband, ('madhura bhava' form of devotion).
Akka Mahadevi was a prominent saint of the Lingayat/Veerashaiva faith during the 12th century. She composed around 430 Vachanas (a form of spontaneous mystical poems). The term Akka ("elder Sister") is an honorific given to her by great Lingayat saints such as Basavanna, Siddharama and Allamaprabhu as an indication of her contribution to the spiritual discussions held at the "Anubhava Mantapa". She is seen as an inspirational woman for Kannada literature and the history of Karnataka. She considered Lord Shiva ('Chenna Mallikarjuna') as her husband, ('madhura bhava' form of devotion).
Born in the 1130 in the small hamlet of Uduthadi, Karnataka, Mahadevi was initiated into the worship of the Shivalinga at the age of ten and considered herself betrothed to Lord Shiva. She spent her adolescence in His worship and composed Vachanas that spilled over with fervent longings for her Beloved, whom she called, “Chenna Mallikarjuna” or “Lord, White as Jasmine,” the name of Shiva in her hometown temple.
King Kaushika, the ruler of the land, fell passionately in love with her the moment he saw her. But she spurned his request for marrage, “But for my Chenna Mallikarjuna, all men are mere dolls!”.
A persistent Kaushika threatened her family with grave consequences until she relented and agreed to marry him on the condition that he would not force himself on her without her consent. When he later failed to keep his promise, Mahadevi walked out on him. As she departed the palace, a wrathful Kaushika demanded the return of all the jewels and extravagant clothes he had presented his wife. Defiant, Mahadevi stripped herself bare and stepped out onto the streets as a digambara—a naked saint. Due to her intense love for Lord Shiva, her body got immediately covered by thick black tresses.
The last thread of clothing
can be stripped away,
But who can peel off Emptiness,
that nakedness covering all?
Fools—while I dress in the Jasmine Lord’s morning light, I cannot be shamed;
what would you have me hide under, silk and the glitter of jewels?
She walked on foot to Anubhava Mantapa (or “Abode of Experience") a center for philosophical/spiritual discussions in Kalyani, North Karnataka. Anubhava Mantapa was presided over by Allama Prabhu where great mystics, saints and philosophers congregated, including great Veerashaiva saints like Basaveshwara and Chennabasavanna.
When Mahadevi, wandering naked, arrived at Anubhava Mantapa, she was greeted with much skepticism. Allama Prabhu, uncertain of her spiritual competence, challenged, “Why come you hither, O woman in the budding blossom of youth? If you can tell your husband’s identity, come, sit. Else, pray, be gone!” Mahadevi answered
When Mahadevi, wandering naked, arrived at Anubhava Mantapa, she was greeted with much skepticism. Allama Prabhu, uncertain of her spiritual competence, challenged, “Why come you hither, O woman in the budding blossom of youth? If you can tell your husband’s identity, come, sit. Else, pray, be gone!” Mahadevi answered
All of mankind are my parents. It is they
who made this matchless match of mine
with Chenna Mallikarjuna.
While all the stars and planets looked on ,
my guru gave my hand into His;
the Linga became the groom,
And I the bride.
Therefore is Chenna Mallikarjuna
my husband
And I have no truck with
any other of this world.
Allama Prabhu interrogated her for a long time, and at the end of it, all the Veerashaivas recognized Mahadevi’s worth. Allama Prabhu acknowledged: “Your body is female in appearance, but your mind is merged with God!” Thus, Mahadevi came to be accepted in their inner circles, and out of respect and affection, she came to be called Akka or elder sister.
Akka Mahadevi continued her tapas in Kalyani under the guidance of Allama Prabhu, and the vachanas composed at this stage reflect her progress.
Having vanquished the six passions and become
The trinity of body, thought and speech;
Having ended the trinity and become twain – I and the Absolute
Having ended the duality and become a unity
Is because of the grace of you all.
I salute Basavanna and all assembled here
Blessed was I by Allama my Master-
Bless me all that I may join my Chenna Mallikarjuna
Good-bye! Good-bye!"
The trinity of body, thought and speech;
Having ended the trinity and become twain – I and the Absolute
Having ended the duality and become a unity
Is because of the grace of you all.
I salute Basavanna and all assembled here
Blessed was I by Allama my Master-
Bless me all that I may join my Chenna Mallikarjuna
Good-bye! Good-bye!"
After a few years of sadhana, Akka Mahadevi went to the famous Lord Shiva temple at Sri Sailam in Andhra Pradesh. She started meditating in various caves of the Kadali vana in the vicinity of the temple.
As she continued to meditate, Akka’s concept of Chenna Mallikarjuna changed from that of the Puranic Shiva to the formless Divine — the one who pervaded her soul. She saw the Absolute in everything. Every tree was the kalpavriksha, every bush was the Sanjeevani, every place was a teertha, every water body contained Amritha and every pebble was the chintamani gem. Her very breath became His fragrance. His form became hers. Having known Him, there was nothing else to know. She became the bee that drank the nectar of Chenna Mallikarjuna, and dissolved into it.
Legend tells us that she was consumed in a flash of light, leaving only her poems behind as a chronicle of a spiritual journey that still evokes awe and respect in the hearts of all. This was around the year 1160.
Akka Mahadevi’s experiences, both spiritual and domestic, poured out in the form of simple Vachanas. Set in colloquial language and filled with true-to-life similes, her Vachanas penetrate the conscience of the reader with their depth of meaning and lyrical beauty. They number around 430 and feature in Yoganga Trividhi.
She wrote: “Like treasure hidden in the ground, like flavour in the fruit, like gold in the rock and oil in the seed, the Absolute is hidden in the heart.”
“Like the peacock that dances on a hill, like the swan that splashes around a lake, like the cuckoo that sings when the mango tree bursts into bloom, like the bee that enjoys only the fragrant flower, I will enjoy only my Lord Chennamallikarjuna.”
Her advice to devotees is simple but intense: “Shoot the arrow so forcefully that while penetrating the target, even the feathers go in"!
“Like the peacock that dances on a hill, like the swan that splashes around a lake, like the cuckoo that sings when the mango tree bursts into bloom, like the bee that enjoys only the fragrant flower, I will enjoy only my Lord Chennamallikarjuna.”
Her advice to devotees is simple but intense: “Shoot the arrow so forcefully that while penetrating the target, even the feathers go in"!
Akka's poetry explores the themes of rejecting mortal love in favour of the everlasting love of God. Her vachanas also talk about the methods that the path of enlightenment demand of the seeker, such as killing the 'I', conquering desires and the senses and so on.
She rejected her life of luxury to live as a wandering poet-saint, travelling throughout the region and singing praises to her Lord Shiva. She went in search of fellow seekers or sharanas to hasten learning. In her short and intense life of less than 30 years, she achieved the highest purpose of life - union with the Lord!
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