Akkamahadevi is a woman mystic of Karnataka of the Veerashaiva tradition. She lived around 1160 CE and was rebel in many ways. Her life was marked by a continuous struggle for the rights of women. Here is the life story of Akkamahadevi.
Akkamahadevi Family
Akkamahadevi was born in Udutadi near Balligave of Shimoga
district to Sumathi and Nirmala.
Akkamahadevi Marriage
When she came of age, she was so beautiful that the ruler of
the area, Kaushika, wanted to marry her. But Akkamahadevi was not inclined to
worldly pleasures. Though she initially resisted, her parents prevailed upon
her to yield to the wishes of the king. She agreed but on the condition that
she would leave him the moment he became an obstacle to her on her way to god
realization. Soon after her marriage, she got disenchanted with the life in the
palace. She left it and went to Kalyana in search of Chenna Mallikarjuna (Shiva),
her spiritual husband. She participated in the seminars held at Anubhava Mantapa, a religious center, organized by Basava and other Virashaivas.
She is said to have merged with Chenna Mallikarjuna at Srisailam.
Akkamamahadevi’s 355 vachanas (composition) give an insight
into her spiritual aspirations. The vachanas are imaginative and studded with
similes and metaphors. She says that those who are after worldly pleasures cannot
have a spiritual goal. They should come out of the bondage of maya (a mere
construct or illusion). Akkamhadevi’s message to women is that they should
sanctify their lives through spiritual pursuits.
A popular vachana composed by her says – having built his house
on the mountain, what sort of man is he who is afraid of wild beasts and trees?
Since we are born in this world, we must not be afraid of its praise or blame
but abstain from passion and rest unperturbed.
Akkamahadevi has enriched Kannada literature with her
contributions such as Yogangartividhi, Mantragopya, Srishtivacanas and so on. The
Vacanas composed by her have greatly influenced later composers.
Mahadsviyakkanaragale (Harihara), Panditaradhyacaritre
(Palkurike Somanatha), Prabhulingalile (Chamarasa), Prabhudsvara Purana
(Yelandur Harisvara), Chennabasava-Purana (Virupaksha Pandita) and Mahadevi-yakkana
Sangitya (Rachakavi) are some of the literary works in which the divine
personality and life of Akkamahadevi have been portrayed vividly. Akkamahadevi’s
role as a Virashaiva mystic, composer of Vacanas and above all her influence on
later women mystics are part of the cultural history of the 12th century Karnataka.