Akka Mahadevi (c.1130–1160) was
one of the early female poets of the Kannada literature and a prominent person
in the Lingayatism sect of Hinduism in the 12th century. Her 430 extant Vachana (spontaneous mystical poems),
and the two short writings called Mantrogopya
and the Yogangatrividhi are
considered her most notable contribution to Kannada literature. The term Akka
("elder Sister") is an honorific given to her by great Lingayat
saints such as Basavanna, Siddharama and Allamaprabhu and is believed as an
indication of her high place in the spiritual discussions held at the
"Anubhava Mantapa". She is seen as an inspirational woman in Kannada
literature. She considered the god Shiva 'Chenna Mallikarjuna' as her husband.
Biography
Akka Mahadevi was born in Udutadi,
near Shivamogga in the Indian state of Karnataka around 1130. Some scholars
suggest that she was born to a couple named Nirmalshetti and Sumati, who were
both devotees of Para Shiva. One of her lyrics, appears to record her
experiences of leaving her place of her birth and family in order to pursue
Para Shiva.
Life Journey
A local Jain king named Kaushika
sought to marry her, but that she rejected him, choosing instead to fulfil the claims
of devotion to the deity Para Shiva. It has also been said that she lays down
three conditions for marrying the king, including control over the choice to
spend her time in devotion or in conversation with other scholars and religious
figures, rather than with the king. The conditions were not accepted and the
marriage did not occur.
She left the palace, renouncing
all her possessions including clothes, to travel to Srisailam, home of the god
Para Shiva. She then visited the town of Kalyana en route, where she met two
other poets and prominent figures of the Lingayat movement, Allama and Basava.
She is believed to have travelled, towards the end of her life, to the
Srisailam mountains, where she lived as an ascetic and eventually died.
She is considered by modern
scholars to be a prominent figure in the field of female emancipation. During a
time of strife and political uncertainty in the 12th century, she chose
spiritual enlightenment and stood by her choice. She took part in convocations
of the learned such as the Anubhavamantapa in Kalyana (now Basava Kalyana) to
debate philosophy and enlightenment termed by her as "arivu". She went in search of fellow seekers or sharanas
because the company of the saintly or sajjana
sanga is believed to hasten learning. In search for her eternal soul mate
Lord Shiva, she made animals, flowers and birds her friends and companions,
rejecting family life and worldly attachment.
Akka's pursuit of enlightenment is
recorded in poems of simple language but great intellectual rigour. Her poetry
explores the rejection of 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.
A true ascetic, Mahadevi is said to
have refused to wear any clothing. Legend has it that due to her true love and
devotion with God her whole body was protected by hair. Allama shows her the
further way of attaining the transcendent bliss of ultimate union with Lord
Chenna Mallikarjuna.
Works
Akka Mahadevi's works, like many
other Bhakti movement poets, can be traced through the use of her ankita. She
uses the name Chennamallikarjuna. Her works frequently use the metaphor of an
illicit, or adulterous love to Lord Shiva. The direct and frank lyrics
re-examines the role of women as actors with volition and will. In some vachanas, she describes herself as both
feminine and masculine. Her work touch on the themes of alienation.
Legacy
Akka Mahadevi continues to occupy a significant place with roads and universities named after her.