Guest guest Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Dear Lalit,Sheevaniji,RKDa,Chandrashekarji and Group, Continuing my series on great saints that have graced the Indian soil Comments/feedback on the writeups are welcome from all Regards, aavesh Om Namah Sivaya Akka Mahadevi Akka Mahadevi wa born to Nirmala and Sumati in Udatadi (or Udugani) near the ancient city of Banavasi (in Shikaripura taluk Shimoga district) in a Siva temple was a prominent figure of the Veerasaiva Bhakti movement in 12th century Karnataka. Her Vachanas, a form of poetry are considered her greatest contribution to Kannada Bhakti literature . In all she wrote about 340 Vachanas which is relatively fewer than that compared to other saints of her time. Yet the term 'Akka' (elder sister) which is an honorific given to her by great Veerasaiva saints like Basavanna, Cenna Basavanna, Kinnari Bommayya, Siddharama, Allamaprabhu and Dasimayya speaks volumes of her contribution to Kannada literature and the history of Karnataka. Much about her early life is not known, nor did she live long. She is a prominent figure in the field of female emancipation and a person of mystical vision. A household name in Karnataka, she had said that she was a woman only in name and that her mind, body and soul belonged to Lord Siva. During a time of strife and political uncertianity in the 12th. century, she launched a movement that made her an inspiration for woman empowerment and enlightenment. It is commonly known that she took part in many gatherings of learned at the Anubhavamantapa in Kudala sangama to debate about philosophy and attainment of spiritualism. In search for her eternal soul mate, she made the animals, flowers and birds her friends and companions, rejecting family life and worldly attachment. The time was marked as height of foolishness of varnashrama dharma which only supported the three upper castes of Hindu society in India and suppressed the sudras and women. Akka was a revelation here in that she not only rose for emancipation but also has sung vachanas which are so simple but of highest order. It is said that Mahadevi was married by arrangement to Kausika, a local king. There were immediate tensions, however, as Kausika was a Jain, a group that tended to be wealthy and was, as a result, much resented by the rest of the population. Much of Akka's poetry explores the themes of rejecting mortal love in favor of the everlasting, love of God, and this seems to be the path she chose as well. She ran away from her life of luxury to live as a wandering poet-saint, traveling throughout the region and singing praises to her Lord Siva. She travelled widely in search of emancipation and finally became a Sanyasini before settling down in Basavakalyana, Bidar district. Her non-conformist ways caused a lot of consternation in a conservative society and even her eventual guru Allama Prabhu had to initially face difficulties in enlisting her in the gatherings at Anubhavamantapa. A true ascetic, Mahadevi is said to have refused to wear any clothing -- a common practice among male ascetics, but shocking for a woman. Legend has it that due to her true love and devotion with God her whole body was protected by hair. Sivaya Namah Support the World Aids Awareness campaign this month with for Good With Best Wishes, aavesh Forgot the famous last words? Access your message archive online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Om Namah Shivaye, Namaste Aaveshji, Wonderful gesture and excellent timing,, to guide our thoughts towards more noble thoughts, onto the run-up to MahaShiv Ratri.. Incidentally it is also Soma Pradosham today.. May the light of the Divine shine upon everyone.. Regards Sheevani Vedic Astrologyandhealing , aavesh t <aavesh_s wrote: > > Dear Lalit,Sheevaniji,RKDa,Chandrashekarji and Group, > > Continuing my series on great saints that have graced the Indian soil > > Comments/feedback on the writeups are welcome from all > > Regards, > > aavesh > Om Namah Sivaya > Akka Mahadevi > > > > > > Akka Mahadevi wa born to Nirmala and Sumati in Udatadi (or Udugani) near the > ancient city of Banavasi (in Shikaripura taluk Shimoga district) in a Siva temple was a > prominent figure of the Veerasaiva Bhakti movement in 12th century Karnataka. > Her Vachanas, a form of poetry are considered her greatest contribution to > Kannada Bhakti literature . In all she wrote about 340 Vachanas which is relatively > fewer than that compared to other saints of her time. Yet the term 'Akka' (elder sister) > which is an honorific given to her by great Veerasaiva saints like Basavanna, > Cenna Basavanna, Kinnari Bommayya, Siddharama, Allamaprabhu and Dasimayya > speaks volumes of her contribution to Kannada literature and the history of Karnataka. > > Much about her early life is not known, nor did she live long. She is a prominent figure in > the field of female emancipation and a person of mystical vision. A household name in > Karnataka, she had said that she was a woman only in name and that her mind, body > and soul belonged to Lord Siva. During a time of strife and political uncertianity in the > 12th. century, she launched a movement that made her an inspiration for woman > empowerment and enlightenment. It is commonly known that she took part in many > gatherings of learned at the Anubhavamantapa in Kudala sangama to debate about > philosophy and attainment of spiritualism. In search for her eternal soul mate, she made > the animals, flowers and birds her friends and companions, rejecting family life and > worldly attachment. The time was marked as height of foolishness of varnashrama d > harma which only supported the three upper castes of Hindu society in India and > suppressed the sudras and women. Akka was a revelation here in that she not only > rose for emancipation but also has sung vachanas which are so simple but of highest > order. > > It is said that Mahadevi was married by arrangement to Kausika, a local king. There > were immediate tensions, however, as Kausika was a Jain, a group that tended to be > wealthy and was, as a result, much resented by the rest of the population. Much of > Akka's poetry explores the themes of rejecting mortal love in favor of the everlasting, > love of God, and this seems to be the path she chose as well. > > She ran away from her life of luxury to live as a wandering poet- saint, traveling throughout > the region and singing praises to her Lord Siva. > > She travelled widely in search of emancipation and finally became a Sanyasini before > settling down in Basavakalyana, Bidar district. Her non-conformist ways caused a lot > of consternation in a conservative society and even her eventual guru Allama Prabhu > had to initially face difficulties in enlisting her in the gatherings at Anubhavamantapa. > A true ascetic, Mahadevi is said to have refused to wear any clothing -- a common > practice among male ascetics, but shocking for a woman. Legend has it that due to her > true love and devotion with God her whole body was protected by hair. > > > > > > Sivaya Namah > > > > > > Support the World Aids Awareness campaign this month with for Good > > > > > With Best Wishes, > > aavesh > > > > Forgot the famous last words? Access your message archive online. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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