Akka Mahadevi: The Fearless Mystic Poetess Who Revolutionized Bhakti Movement
Akka Mahadevi is a revered poet-saint of the Bhakti movement in the history of Karnataka and Kannada literature for her devotion and vachanas. She is celebrated as one of the earliest pioneers of female devotion. ‘Akka’ is an endearment meaning elder sister, bestowed upon her by esteemed saints like Basavanna, Siddharama and Allamaprabhu underscoring her great spiritual and devotional significance. Akka Mahadevi is a household name in Karnataka. She was so deeply in love with Lord Shiva that she considered him her husband.
Akka Mahadevi’s life story is a source of inspiration teaching us devotion, spirituality, courage, defiance, and women empowerment. Akka Mahadevi’s spiritual journey is akin to Lal Ded’s, with some people even considering Lal Ded an incarnation of Akka Mahadevi.
Maya haunts the ego of a man
In the form of a woman.
Maya haunts the ego of a woman
In the form of a man.
To this world of Maya
A Sharana’s madness seems like Maya.
For a Sharana who has the love of Chennamallikarjuna,
There is no Maya, no madness, no ego.
History
Akka Mahadevi was born in Udutadi, Karnataka in 12th century to a couple, who were profound devotees of Lord Shiva. Being raised in a spiritual Shaivite milieu, leaned Akka Mahadevi towards Lord Shiva from a tender age, undergoing initiation between the ages of seven and ten.
Akka had blossomed into an alluring woman, by the time she reached sixteen. One day a Jain king Kaushik laid his eyes on Akka while passing and was completely besotted with her beauty. He wanted to tie the knot with her so he approached her parents with a marriage proposal however they politely turned him down. The rejection didn’t sit well with Kaushik and he threatened them into marrying Akka with him or he will kill them. Her frightened parents reluctantly gave in.
Married Life of Akka Mahadevi
The devoted saint Akka Mahadevi kept practising her spiritual practises diligently even after marriage, maintaining a physical contact from king Kaushik. King Kaushik was a staunch patriarchal male who considered Akka merely his object and would often press her for getting intimate however Akka, who had already wedded Lord Shiva in her childhood, always said the same thing that her husband was someone else.
Growing increasingly infuriated by Akka’s response and unwavering spirituality, he eventually summoned her to the court, and asked again for the last time, who her husband was. Without fidgeting, Akka replied that it was Lord Chenna Mallikarjuna, the other name for Lord Shiva. Enraged and humiliated by his insult in front of his courtiers, he furiously commanded her to leave the palace, removing all the jewellery and clothes she was wearing. Without embarrassment and hesitation, Akka took off her clothes and ornaments and left the palace. This pivotal incident marked her renunciation of all the worldly allurements and attachments including clothes, embracing the life of an unclad ascetic for the pursuit of spiritual purity.
Should there be one husband in this world
And another in the other world?
Should there be one husband for worldly purpose
And another for spiritual purpose?
My husband is none other than
Lord Cennamallikarjuna.
All other gods are like puppets hidden in the sky.
Spiritual Odyssey of Akka Mahadevi
After renouncing her marriage and all the worldly allurements and possessions, Akka embarked on a spiritual odyssey, becoming an unclad ascetic and mystic poet.
In her divine quest for Lord Chenna Mallikarjuna, Akka reached Kalyana, a refuge for Shiva devotees. Kalyana was the sacred abode of esteemed saints like Basavanna, Channa Basavanna, Prabhudeva and Madivalayya. In Kalyana she became an active member of ‘Anubhava Mantapa’, a forum for open discussion on spiritual, social and philosophical reform. Akka intrepidly and vociferously spoke her mind in these deliberations.
However, her acceptance in the spiritual faction did not come immediately. Her nudity was frowned upon by the saints considering it impropriety, for being stark naked by a woman saint was still not acceptable back then in 12th century and was looked with disdain.
Yet, Mahadevi’s commitment and dedication won the hearts of the saints and profoundly impressed by her determination and unwavering faith, the saints reverently bestowed upon her the title of ‘Akka’. Mahadevi has shown her gratitude to the eminent saints of Kalyana in one of her vachanas.
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!
It is said that at the age of 25, Akka departed from Kalyana after seeking deep spiritual knowledge and insights, and travelled to Srisailam, where she spent the rest of her life meditating intensely in a cave. These caves, now known as Akka Mahadevi Caves, are still present in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh.
As she sacrificed her body, soul, and mind in meditation and Shiva’s devotion, she experienced epiphany! She realized that Shiva is not a morphic being like humans instead he’s a formless divine. With this Akka culminated the highest state of enlightenment, perceiving Lord Shiva’s divine essence in all the objects and beings. She became one with Lord Shiva. According to popular folklores, Akka Mahadevi got absorbed in the idol of Lord Shiva in the same manner Meerabai got absorbed in Lord Krishna’s idol in 16th century.
Achievement
Akka Mahadevi was more than a fervent Shiva devotee. She has made a profound contribution to Bhakti Movement and Kannada literature with her mystic poems or vachanas. Some of her notable achievements are:
- Literary Legacy
Akka was an eloquent Bhakti poet expressing her devotion through simple and appropriate words. She is a prominent figure of the Kannada literature contributing over 350 poems or vachanas. Some of Akka Mahadevi’s poems are also a part of CBSE class eleventh school curriculum. Her vachanas express themes of love, devotion, mysticism, and quest for spiritual truth.
- Pioneer of Female Devotion
Akka was the pioneer of female devotion proving that all human beings regardless of gender, caste, and creed have the right to pursue devotion and spirituality. She was also the embodiment of feminism for she defied, challenged, and went against the societal norms in 12th century’s highly chauvinistic society by daring to love Lord Shiva and considering him her eternal consort.
- Her Vociferous and Intrepid Participation in Anubhava Mantapa
Despite being the only female saint among esteemed male counterparts, who at first looked at her with disdain and scorned her nudity, Akka never fidgeted from eloquently speaking her mind. She actively participated in the debate and discussions making her point which left a lasting impact on her contemporaries and posterity.
- Akka’s Representation in Movies
Plethora of movies, documentaries, and theatres have been made on Akka Mahadevi, paying homage to her timeless and divine legacy. Some of the famous flicks on her are:
- Amarjyoti Akkamahadevi
- Kaaya by Kriyative Theatre
- Shivayogi Akkamahadevi
Legacy
Akka was much more than a saint; she was the epitome of feminism, a pioneer of female devotion, an embodiment of eternal and ethereal love, a rebel, and a mystic poet born with the gift of the gab. Above all, she was and will be the maternal figure for the people of Karnataka.
Akka left this materialistic world to unite with her spiritual consort, Lord Shiva; however, she has left behind her profound teachings and vachanas. Akka fought the world, breaking its every rule and norms to assert that every individual has the right to practise devotion and spirituality. Now, it’s our responsibility to carry her legacy forward by making this world a divine and better place to live. This would truly be the greatest tribute to Akka Mahadevi.
You are the whole forest
And all the divine trees in it
You are all the birds and beasts
Playing in and around the tree.
Why don’t you show yourself to me
Who are contained in everything
O Cennamallikarjuna?
