ಆಳುತನದ ಮಾತು : English Translation

 69. ಆಳುತನದ ಮಾತನಾಡದಿರೆಲವೊ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಾರ್ಯ ದಿಮ್ಮಿತ್ತಣ್ಣಾ.

ಅಲಗಿನ ಮೊನೆಯ ಧಾರೆ ಮಿಂಚುವಾಗ ಕೊಡದೆ ಕೊಂಕದೆ ನಿಲಬೇಕಯ್ಯ.
ಬಂಟ ಬೆಟ್ಟ ಭಕ್ತಿಯೊಂದೆ ಕಂಡಯ್ಯ. ಚೆನ್ನಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನನಂತಲ್ಲದೊಲ್ಲ.
-ಅಕ್ಕಮಹಾದೇವಿ

Literal Translation:

Do not speak words of servitude/valour, O you!

There is a greater task at hand, O brother/friend.

When the edge of the sword's blade flashes,

one must stand without bending or wavering, O Lord.

A warrior's/servant's mountain-like devotion is the only thing seen/known, O Lord.

Other than Chennamallikarjuna, (I) desire no other.

Poetic Translation:
Speak not of service, nor of valor’s boast, my friend,
A greater purpose calls, on this our lives depend.
When flashes razor-sharp the naked sword’s bright edge,
Stand firm, unbent, unbowed, upon that perilous ledge.
A warrior’s faith alone, a mountain strong and vast,
Is all that’s seen, all known, a love that’s built to last.
None else but Him, my Lord, white as jasmine in His grace,
Chennamallikarjuna, no other I embrace.

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70. ಆಳುತನದ ಮಾತನೇರಿಸಿ ನುಡಿದಡೆ ಆಗಳೆ ಕಟ್ಟಿದೆನು ಗಂಡುಗಚ್ಚೆಯ.

ತಿಗುರನೇರಿಸಿ ತಿಲಕವನಿಟ್ಟು ಕೈದುವ ಕೊಂಡು ಕಳನೇರಿದ ಬಳಿಕ,

ಕಟ್ಟಿದ ನಿರಿ ಸಡಿಲಿದಡೆ ಇನ್ನು ನಿಮ್ಮಾಣೆ, ಕಾಣಾ ಚೆನ್ನಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನಾ.

-ಅಕ್ಕಮಹಾದೇವಿ

Literal Translation:

If (one) speaks words of valour/heroism with heightened tone/emphasis,

at that very moment, I have tied the warrior's sash.

Applying 'tigura' (sacred anointment) and placing the tilaka,

taking up the weapon and after entering the battlefield,

if the tied sash/pleats should loosen,

then, I swear by You, behold, O Chennamallikarjuna!

Poetic Translation:

If any speak of valor, with an amplified, proud word,

Know this: that very instant, my warrior’s sash I’ve girded.

With sacred ash and mark, my brow and body signed,

My weapon in my hand, the battlefield to find,

And once I’ve stepped within, if this firm knot should break,

This sash I’ve tied so tight, for Your beloved sake,

Then by Your name I swear, Chennamallikarjuna, Lord,

Let all the worlds bear witness to my forsworn, faithless word!

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A Note on My Translation Approach

The Goal: Fidelity and Precision in Literal Translation 

In crafting the literal translations of these Vachanas, my primary goal was to remain as faithful as possible to the original Kannada text. I aimed for a translation that is not only accurate word-for-word but also precise in conveying the cultural and spiritual weight of Akka Mahadevi's poetry.

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Capturing Accuracy

• Translating "ಆಳುತನ" (āḷutana): I chose the dual phrase "Servitude / Valour" because the Kannada word carries a deliberate ambiguity. It can mean the lowliness of worldly service, but in the context of a devotee-warrior, it also signifies a noble, heroic quality. To maintain this essential nuance, I also translated "ಬಂಟ" (baṇṭa) as "warrior's/servant's.". 
• ಮನೆವಾಳ್ತನ (ಮನೆ + ಆಳುತನ) ದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೇವೆ, ಕೆಲಸ ಅನ್ನುವ ಅರ್ಥವಿದ್ದರೆ,  ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆ (ಆಳುವಿಕೆ) ಯಲ್ಲಿ govern ಎಂಬ ಅರ್ಥವಿದೆ. ಅಳವು ಎಂದರೆ ಕಸುವು ಶಕ್ತಿ. 'ಅಳವು ಉಳ್ಳವನೇ ಆಳು'. ಈ ನೋಟದಿಂದಲೇ ಮುಂದಾಳು, ಮೇಲಾಳು, ಕಟ್ಟಾಳು ಮುಂತಾದ ಪಡಗಳು ಬಂದಿವೆ.

• Warrior's Preparation: For "ಮಾತನೇರಿಸಿ," I used "with heightened tone/emphasis" to capture the sense of boastful speech. I made sure to precisely identify the culturally significant items of a warrior's readiness: the "ಗಂಡುಗಚ್ಚೆ" (gaṇḍugacce) as a "warrior's sash," the "ತಿಗುರು" (tigura) as a "sacred anointment," the "ಕೈದುವ" (kaiduva) as a "weapon," and the "ಕಳ" (kaḷa) as the "battlefield." These aren't generic terms; they are specific and evocative.

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Ensuring Clarity

• My intent was to create a translation that is clear and direct, mirroring the powerful, straightforward style of Vachana poetry itself.
• I wanted to ensure the central message was unmistakable: empty talk is meaningless when a greater spiritual battle is at hand, one that demands unwavering, "mountain-like devotion" (ಬೆಟ್ಟ ಭಕ್ತಿ - beṭṭa bhakti).
• In the second Vachana, I structured the translation to clearly show the cause-and-effect relationship: If someone merely speaks of valor, then Akka declares she has already acted. My goal was to lay out the sequence of her spiritual preparation in a way that felt both logical and powerful.

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Preserving Nuance

• Preserving cultural and spiritual nuances was critical. For instance, translating "ಅಣ್ಣಾ" (aṇṇā) as "O brother/friend" was a conscious choice to reflect the egalitarian fellowship of the Sharana movement.
• The concluding line of the first Vachana—"Other than Chennamallikarjuna, (I) desire no other"—was phrased to capture the absolute and exclusive nature of Akka's devotion, which is a cornerstone of her work.
• For the final line of the second Vachana, I believe "I swear by You" is the most accurate and potent translation of "ನಿಮ್ಮಾಣೆ" (nimmāṇe). This isn't just a casual promise; it's a solemn, binding oath that invokes her Lord as a witness, signifying an unbreakable spiritual contract. I wanted the English reader to feel the full weight of that sacred pledge.

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Goal: To capture the essential spirit and poetic qualities of the original Vachana.

• Poetic Technique: The translation employs an AABB rhyme scheme and a pronounced, rhythmic meter, lending it a strong musical quality in English. The language is both evocative and elevated. The use of dynamic, active verbs such as "girded" and "signed," combined with a compelling rhythm, creates a sense of powerful forward momentum. The rhyme scheme is skillfully executed, feeling organic rather than contrived.

• Imagery: The translation skillfully elaborates on the imagery of the original. The phrase "When flashes razor-sharp the naked sword’s bright edge" is a vivid and visceral interpretation of the Kannada "ಅಲಗಿನ ಮೊನೆಯ ಧಾರೆ ಮಿಂಚುವಾಗ." Furthermore, the addition of "upon that perilous ledge" is a masterful poetic embellishment that makes the metaphor of standing on the sword's edge more concrete and precarious for the reader.

• Emotional Impact: The translation successfully captures the Vachana's tone of urgent and heroic devotion. While phrases like "A greater purpose calls, on this our lives depend" and "a love that’s built to last" are interpretive, they align perfectly with the essence of Akka Mahadevi's all-encompassing spiritual journey. The line, "This sash I’ve tied so tight, for Your beloved sake," is a significant addition that connects the martial imagery of a vow to the devotional sentiment of madhura bhava (bridal mysticism), highlighting that this commitment is fundamentally an act of deep love.

• Thematic Richness: The concluding couplet is particularly effective. By weaving in the meaning of the ankita—"my Lord, white as jasmine in His grace"—the translation enriches the poem for an English-speaking audience, offering insight into the personal and intimate nature of Akka's relationship with her deity, Chennamallikarjuna.

• Dramatic Force: The translation excels in conveying the inherent drama of the Vachana. The opening lines read as a bold and direct response to a challenge. The final couplet is a powerful expansion of the original's implicit meaning. While the source text concludes with the oath itself, this poetic rendering articulates the severe consequence of breaking it: "Let all the worlds bear witness to my forsworn, faithless word!" This is a highly effective method for conveying the profound spiritual gravity of such a vow to a contemporary reader.