| 1. |
« Listen, oh, Mother! I love him,
He is the one, the only one.
He knows no birth and death.
He is uncabined by caste or clime.
He is boundless, changeless, formless;
He is beautiful beyond comparison,
All others fade away and die at last.
I will have none of them.
My Lord shall forever be
The One Channamallikarjuna.»
-- Saint Akkamahadevi 1
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2. |
« With Thy sweet soul, this soul of mine.
Hath mixed as water doth with wine.
Who can the wine and water part.
Or me and Thee when we combine?
Thou hast become my greater self.
Small bonds no more can confine.
Thou hast my being taken on.
And shall not I now take on Thine?
Thou for ever hast affirmed.
That I may ever know Thee mine.
Thy love has pierced me through and through.
Its thrill with bone and nerve entwine.
I rest a flute laid on Thy lips.
A flute, I on Thy breast recline;
Breathe deep in me that I may sigh.
Yet strike my strings and tears shall shine.» 1
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| 3. |
"I am no helpless woman
I utter no futile threats
I am nothing daunted
I shall dare hunger and pain
I shall steal out of withered leaves
A wholesome meal
And on pointed sword
Shall make my bed.
I am ready for your sake
To dare the worst
To die this instant
The readiness is all
Oh! my Channamallikarjuna". 1
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4. |
"Ye parrots singing in mirthful ease
And Oh! ye swans
Frolicking near the lake
And ye joyous cuckoos
Piping full throated
And ye proud peacocks
Strutting up and down in glee
Over hill and dale
Tell me, Oh! tell me
Ye one and all
Did you ever chance to see my lover
My own Channamallikarjuna". 1
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