Akkamahadevi
Posted on Feb 1st, 2007
by 
Aditi Devi
Aditi Devi
Akkamahadevi lived in the 12th century in Kannada, India. According the authors Tharu and Lalita (*Women Writing in India: 600 B.C. to the Early 20th Century*, Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1993), "Akka's poetry uses the metaphor of illicit love for her intense, all-encompassing relationship with Shiva, whom she address as Chennamallikarjuna" (p.79). Here is one of her poems.
Don't despise me as
She who has no one
I'm not one to be afraid,
Whatever ou do.
I exist chewing dry leaves,
My life resting on a knife edge
If you must torment me,
Chennamallikarjuna,
My life, my body
I'll offer you, and be cleansed.
(translated by Susan Daniel)
Access: PublicTagged with: Akkamahadevi, yogini, dakini, Shiva, Siva, Kannada, India, devotion, women's poetry, women's writing, mystical poetry
akkamahadevi
February 2008