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on Yoginis
Aditi Devi
The Yoginis of days gone by were sometimes wanderers who had left behind their normal social roles as daughter, wife, and mother in order to answer the call of their Beloved. There are many stories... More »
Show Me Your Way Out
Aditi Devi
Like a silkworm weaving her house with love from her marrow, and dying in her body's threads winding tight, round and round, I burn desiring what the heart desires. Cut through, O lord, my heart's... More »
Mira asks: Is all this God stuff real?
Aditi Devi
More advice from Mira about inviting God as Lover into our lives. The "flute" in this piece refers to the flute of Krishna, Miera's beloved. It refers not just to the lyrical flute that Krishna... More »
Mira has a conversation with the Moon
Aditi Devi
Here is another one of Mirabai's poems expressing how the unity of merging with the divine can spoil us for non-spiritual encounters: Three years went by and I had not slept with a man. I... More »
Mirabai writes of her journey
Aditi Devi
I Write of That Journey I remember how my mother would hold me. I would look up at her sometimes and see her weep. I understand now what was happening. Love so strong a force... More »
Akkamahadevi
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... More »
Lalla's herb garden
Aditi Devi
Your way of knowing is a private herb garden. Enclose it with a hedge of meditation, and self-discipline, and helpfulness to others. Then everything you've done before will be brought as a sacrifice to the... More »
Dance Lalla
Aditi Devi
Dance, Lalla, with nothing on but air. Sing, Lalla, wearing the sky. Look at this glowing day! What clothes could be so beautiful, or more sacred? (from *Lalla: Naked Song* translated by Coleman Barks, 1992,... More »
The Dakini named Sangha gives up everything
Aditi Devi
The Dakini named Sangha lived during Siddhartha's time. She may have been a member of Siddhartha's harem or she may have been a cow herder. Either way, this poem points to the illumined nature of... More »
Set Me on Fire by Yogini Akka Mahadevi
Aditi Devi
The yogini Akka Mahadevi devoted her life to the devotion of her Beloved Shiva, who she often referred to as Channamallikarjuna. Akka Mahadevi lived in Karnataka, India, in the 12th century of the current era.... More »
Dakini
February 2008