A collection of poems of Akka Mahadevi (twelfth-century Virashaiva saint) - they contain teachings and quotes of Akka Mahadevi.
Like treasure hidden by the earth,
Like the taste hidden by the fruit,
Like gold hidden by the stone,
Like oil hidden by the sesame seed,
Like fire hidden by the word,
Channamallikarjuna (Shiva), jasmine-tender,
Hides as the being behind becoming;
No one knows him.
Like the taste hidden by the fruit,
Like gold hidden by the stone,
Like oil hidden by the sesame seed,
Like fire hidden by the word,
Channamallikarjuna (Shiva), jasmine-tender,
Hides as the being behind becoming;
No one knows him.
When I did not know myself
Where were you, tell me?
Like the color in gold,
You were in me.
Though you were in me
I saw you as different.
O Channamallikarjuna, jasmine-tender.
Where were you, tell me?
Like the color in gold,
You were in me.
Though you were in me
I saw you as different.
O Channamallikarjuna, jasmine-tender.
Source – Songs of Shiva Vacanas of Akka Mahadevi - Translated by Vinaya Chaitanya
One afford to be afraid of the beasts?
Having made one’s home on the seashore, how can
one afford to be afraid of the surging waves?
Having made one’s home in the market-place, how
Can one afford to shrink from its noise?
Hear what I say, O Chenna Mallikarjuna:
Having been born in this world, one should not
Lose one’s temper at praise or blame
But maintain the poise of one’s spirit.
Like treasure hidden in the ground, like flavor in the fruit, like gold in the rock, and oil in the seed, the Absolute is hidden in the heart.
Like a silkworm weaving her house with love from her marrow,
and dying in her body's threads winding tight, round and round,
and dying in her body's threads winding tight, round and round,
I burn desiring what the heart desires.
Cut through, O Lord, my heart's greed, and show me your way out,
O Lord white as jasmine
Akka Mahadevi (Source: Show Me Your way out, a poem by Akka Mahadevi)