Lover's Lament

Says Mahadevi Akka,

“When there is none

To question the union

Of the sky with the horizon, 

Why does this world

Hurl accusations

At me? When, in search of you

I roam sky clad 

And my hair cloaks me.

***

Oh Lord! From this worldly gaze

When can I escape?

Instead of my garb-like flowing hair,

Cloak me in your embrace.

In this union I shall lose

All that is mine.

Like mist in mornings

I mingle in your sunshine.

Like the bee

I await the opening of petals,

Lead me to your nectar,

Lest I starve.

Oh Chennamallikarjuna.

Let my physicality dissolve

Guide my footsteps

Towards your mountain shrine.”

© Mumtaz N Khorakiwala

12-2-2021

Picture courtesy: Rishabh Shukla http://painterbaburishabh.blogspot.com/2018/01/akka-mahadevi-woman-who-defied-king-and.html?m=1

Mahadevi Akka needs no introduction, she with other saints like Andal, Karaikalammyar Some the phrases are borrowed from Mahadevi Akka’s poems- vacanas.