To him with no death, No decay No form To the Beautiful One I have given myself, O Mother To him with no place No end No space No signs To the Beautiful One I have given myself, O Mother To him with no clan No country, To the peerless Handsome One I have given myself, O Mother For this reason Channamallikarjuna, the Handsome One Is the man for me. These wasting, dying men — Take them away Throw them into the oven! Poet: Akka Mahadevi Translator: H.S. Shivaprakash Source: I Keep Vigil of Rudra, Penguin Classics Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole Radio Azim Premji University, 2023 Born in Udutadi near Shivamogga around 1130, Akka Mahadevi, the prominent female Vachanakara, left an indelible mark on Kannada literature with her 430 Vachana poems, alongside two short writings, Mantrogopya and Yogangatrividh. While she composed fewer poems compared to other saints of the movement, her contributions are highly regarded. Acknowledging Shiva, whom she addressed as 'Chenna Mallikarjuna,' as her husband in the 'madhura bhava' or 'madhurya' form of devotion, Akka Mahadevi asserted her identity as a woman only in name, dedicating her mind, body, and soul entirely to Shiva. Her pursuit of enlightenment is documented in simple yet intellectually rigorous poems. Her verses delve into the renunciation of mortal love in favor of an enduring love for God, and she imparts insights into the demanding methods of the path to enlightenment, advocating for practices such as overcoming the 'I,' conquering desires, and mastering the senses.

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