Introduction: “Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi
“Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi, likely composed in the 12th century, appears in the Vachana corpus, a collection of Kannada devotional poetry. Mahadevi was a key figure in the Virashaiva Bhakti movement, a Hindu sect emphasizing a direct, personal connection with the deity Shiva. Her poetry is renowned for its raw sincerity, defiance of social conventions, and fervent devotion. “Don’t Despise Me”, too, embodies these qualities, challenging social expectations while expressing her steadfast love for Shiva, often addressed as Chennamallikarjuna.
Text: “Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi
Don’t Despise Me as
She who has no one
I’m not one to be afraid,
Whatever you do.
I exist chewing dry leaves.
My life resting on a knife edge
If you must torment me,
Chennamallikarjuna,
My life, my body
I’ll offer you and be cleansed.
Annotations: “Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi
| Line | Annotation |
| Don’t despise me as | A plea against being judged or scorned for the following conditions |
| She who has no one | The speaker identifies as someone who is alone or without social connections. This could be a literal condition or a feeling of spiritual isolation. |
| I’m not one to be afraid, | The speaker asserts their own fearlessness and resilience. |
| Whatever you do. | This highlights the speaker’s determination to face any challenges or hardships that may come their way. |
| I exist chewing dry leaves. | This stark image implies a life of austerity, simplicity, and perhaps even poverty. |
| My life resting on a knife edge | The speaker expresses a sense of vulnerability and the precariousness of their existence. |
| If you must torment me, | This line acknowledges the possibility of suffering, perhaps at the hands of others or as a result of spiritual trials. |
| Chennamallikarjuna, | The speaker addresses Chennamallikarjuna, a name for the Hindu god Shiva, signifying deep devotion and surrender. |
| My life, my body | The speaker offers their entire being, both their physical and spiritual existence. |
| I’ll offer you and be cleansed. | The final line suggests the possibility of transformation, purification, or spiritual release through this act of offering. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi
1. Alliteration: The repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of words for emphasis and aural effect.
- Example: Note the repetition of “d” in the first line: Don’t despise me…”
2. Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses. This creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis.
- Example: “My life” is repeated in the last two lines of the poem.
3. Apostrophe: Directly addressing an absent person, a concept, or an inanimate object as if it were capable of understanding.
- Example: The speaker addresses Chennamallikarjuna, a name for Shiva, towards the end of the poem.
4. Diction: The author’s specific word choice creates tone and feeling.
- Example: Words like “despise,” “torment,” and “knife edge” contribute to a sense of potential suffering and vulnerability.
5. Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase beyond the end of a line of poetry, creating a sense of flow and connection.
- Example: Multiple lines in the poem flow into the next without a pause at the end, like “Don’t despise me as / She who has no one…”
6. Hyperbole: An intentional exaggeration for emphasis or effect.
- Example: While not extreme, “chewing dry leaves” could suggest an exaggeratedly simple and harsh diet.
7. Imagery: The use of vivid language to create sensory experiences for the reader.
- Examples: “chewing dry leaves” (tactile/taste), “knife edge” (tactile/visual).
8. Metaphor: A comparison of two unlike things without using “like” or “as,” suggesting a deeper connection.
- Example: “My life resting on a knife edge” compares the fragility and precariousness of life to an object balanced dangerously.
9. Paradox: A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals a deeper truth.
- Example: The idea of finding cleansing or purification through offering one’s life and body in torment.
10. Personification: Giving non-human objects or concepts human-like qualities and actions.
- Example: Though subtle, the possibility of “torment” suggests a personified entity capable of inflicting suffering.
11. Repetition: Repeating words or phrases for emphasis and creating a sense of rhythm.
- Example: “My life, my body” is repeated to emphasize a complete offering of the self.
12. Simile: A comparison between two things using “like” or “as.”
- Example: While no direct similes exist, “life resting on a knife edge” functions similarly to one.
13. Symbolism: The use of an object, person, or idea to represent something deeper or more abstract.
- Example: “Dry leaves” could symbolize poverty, simplicity, or a harsh life.
14. Tone: The overall emotional attitude the speaker and the poem convey.
- Example: The tone shifts from defiant and resolute to one of surrender and spiritual devotion.
Themes: “Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi
- Theme 1: Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Despite her potential isolation (“She who has no one”) and austere conditions (“chewing dry leaves”), the speaker expresses resolute determination. Lines like “I’m not one to be afraid” and “Whatever you do” emphasize her strength against challenges, whether they be societal judgment or life’s inherent difficulties. This defiance suggests a resilient spirit capable of persevering despite hardship.
- Theme 2: Simplicity and Austerity: The image of “chewing dry leaves” paints a picture of a life devoid of material comfort or extravagance. This simplicity might indicate a chosen path of renunciation, a focus on the spiritual over the material. This theme connects to some principles of Hindu philosophy, where detachment from the material world can be a path toward spiritual growth.
- Theme 3: Devotion and Surrender: The poem’s shift towards addressing Chennamallikarjuna, a name for Shiva, marks a deep spiritual devotion. The final lines, “My life, my body / I’ll offer you and be cleansed,” show complete surrender of the self to the divine. This surrender is coupled with a belief in potential spiritual transformation or release from suffering.
- Theme 4: Vulnerability and the Precariousness of Life” The stark image of a “life resting on a knife edge” portrays a profound sense of vulnerability and instability of existence. This line highlights that life is fragile and could be disrupted at any moment. This awareness of vulnerability further amplifies the impact of the speaker’s strength and eventual willingness to surrender control to a higher power.
Literary Theories and “Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi
| Literary Theory | Key Focus | Analysis of “Don’t Despise Me” |
| Feminist Theory | Examines gender roles, power dynamics, and the female voice in literature. | * Focus on the speaker’s defiance against potential societal judgment for being a woman “who has no one.” * Exploration of the speaker’s agency in offering her life and body as spiritual surrender vs. passive submission. |
| Postcolonial Theory | Explores literature from colonized or formerly colonized cultures, often focused on issues of identity, power imbalances, and resistance. | * Akka Mahadevi was a part of the 12th-century Virashaiva Bhakti movement, challenging prevailing social hierarchies in India. * Analysis of the poem as a potential form of resistance against restrictive social norms. |
| Reader-Response Theory | Emphasizes the reader’s role in creating meaning from the text, allowing for varied interpretations. | * Exploration of how different readers might perceive the themes of resilience vs. vulnerability based on their own experiences. * Analysis of the potential personal empowerment or spiritual inspiration a reader might take from the poem. |
| Psychoanalytic Theory | Examines the unconscious desires, motivations, and symbolism within a text. | * Analysis of the “knife edge” imagery as a potential expression of unconscious fears or anxieties. * Exploration of the offering of the self to Shiva as a potential symbolic representation of repressed desires or search for wholeness. |
| New Historicism | Considers the historical and cultural context of a text and vice versa. | * Exploring how the poem reflects the societal structures and religious philosophies of 12th-century India. * Analyzing how the devotional language and themes of the poem might have influenced its contemporary reception. |
Critical Questions about “Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi
| Critical Question | Answer |
| To what extent is the speaker’s defiance a product of her spiritual beliefs, and how might it differ from a purely secular form of resilience? | The poem suggests a deep connection between the speaker’s internal strength and her devotion. Her fearlessness might stem from a belief in a higher power and the potential for spiritual release, different from a secular resilience driven by individual will. |
| How does the imagery of the poem (“dry leaves,” “knife edge”) contribute to the overall themes of austerity, vulnerability, and spiritual devotion? | This stark imagery reinforces the speaker’s simple life and the precariousness of existence, emphasizing her vulnerability. It contrasts with the power of the divine, highlighting the speaker’s complete surrender in her offering. |
| Does the poem ultimately suggest empowerment or submission? | There’s a fascinating tension between the opening defiance and the act of self-offering. The poem could be read as empowering due to the speaker’s assertion of her resilience, or as her ultimate submission to a higher power. This ambiguity opens the poem to diverse interpretations. |
| How might societal expectations of women in 12th-century India have influenced the speaker’s plea, “Don’t despise me”? | Akka Mahadevi’s position as a female figure within the Bhakti movement was likely unconventional. Her plea could be interpreted as resistance to societal judgment and expectations placed upon women of her time. |
Literary Works Similar to “Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi
Other Bhakti Poetry:
- Mirabai’s poems (16th century India): Known for passionate devotion to Krishna, often depicting a yearning for spiritual union and themes of defiance against societal norms.
- Basavanna’s Vachanas (12th-century India): Short, free-form poems that express devotion with sharp social critique, mirroring Akka Mahadevi’s rebellious spirit.
Psalms from the Bible:
- Lament Psalms: Express deep distress, cries for help, and vulnerability before God, echoing the sense of suffering present in parts of “Don’t Despise Me”.
- Psalms of Praise and Surrender: Focus on extolling the divine and offering oneself completely, similar to the final lines of Akka Mahadevi’s poem.
Sufi Mystical Poetry:
- Rumi (13th century Persia): Passionate expressions of love and longing for the divine, often employing themes of self-annihilation and surrender.
- Rabia al-Adawiyya (8th century Iraq): Known for a radical emphasis on pure love for God, devoid of any desire for reward or fear of punishment.
Suggested Readings: “Don’t Despise Me” by Akka Mahadevi
Books
- Ramanujan, A. K. Speaking of Śiva. Penguin Classics, 1973.
- Rationale: A seminal work providing translations of Akka Mahadevi’s vachanas within the broader context of Virashaiva Bhakti poetry.
- Pechilis, Karen, ed. The Graceful Guru: Hindu Female Gurus in India and the United States. Oxford University Press, 2004.
- Rationale: Explores the historical and cultural significance of female spiritual leaders in Hindu traditions, offering potential insights into Akka Mahadevi’s role.
Articles
- Olivelle, Patrick. “Singing the Lord’s Deeds: The Poetry of the Tamil Bhakti Movement.” Journal of South Asian Literature, vol. 19, no. 1, 1984, pp. 78–94. JSTOR, [invalid URL removed].
- Rationale: Though regionally distinct, this analysis of Tamil Bhakti poetry provides a valuable framework for understanding Akka Mahadevi’s themes of devotion and surrender.
- Additional Recommendations:
- Seek articles specifically on Akka Mahadevi or Virashaiva Bhakti in scholarly journals focusing on Indian literature, religion, or women’s studies.
- Consult your librarian or a professor specializing in South Asian literature for further guidance.