ಆರೂ ಇಲ್ಲದವಳೆಂದು ಆಳಿಗೊಳಲುಬೇಡ - English Translation

ಆರೂ ಇಲ್ಲದವಳೆಂದು ಆಳಿಗೊಳಲುಬೇಡ ಕಂಡೆಯಾ?

ಏನ ಮಾಡಿದಡೂ ಆನಂಜುವಳಲ್ಲ.

ತರಗೆಲೆಯ ಮೆಲಿದು ಆನಿಹೆನು, ಸರಿಯ ಮೇಲೊರಗಿ ಆನಿಹೆನು.

ಚೆನ್ನಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನಯ್ಯಾ, ಕರ ಕೇಡನೊಡ್ಡಿದಡೆ

ಒಡಲನು ಪ್ರಾಣವನು ನಿಮಗರ್ಪಿಸಿ ಶುದ್ಧಳಹೆನು.

 --- ಅಕ್ಕಮಹಾದೇವಿ

#LiteralTranslation

Thinking I am a woman with no one, do not try to enslave/exploit me, do you see/understand?

Whatever you may do, I am not one who will fear.

Chewing dry leaves, I shall survive; reclining on a harsh/sharp surface, I shall survive.

Oh Chennamallikarjuna, if you inflict extreme/dire harm/torment,

Offering my body and life-breath to You, I shall become pure.

#PoeticTranslation

Think me not a lone woman, Lord, to be bent to your whim!

For whatever you may devise, no fear shall my spirit dim.

On fallen leaves I'll feed and thrive, on jagged stones I'll lie,

And still my soul will stay alive, beneath your watchful eye.

Chennamallikarjuna, my Lord, though dire ruin you may send,

This body, this breath, to You outpoured, I'll be pure, world without end.

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This poetic translation seeks to convey the Vachana's profound emotional depth, its inherent spiritual vigor (Ojas guṇa), its clarity of message (Prasāda guṇa), and the subtle sweetness (Mādhurya guṇa) of Akka Mahadevi's unwavering devotion to Chennamallikarjuna. It employs various poetic devices to evoke a similar resonance in English:

Poetic Features Used in the Poetic Translation:

The poetic translation above incorporates several features to achieve its artistic and emotional effect, aiming to reflect the power of the original Vachana:

1. Rhyme Scheme: The translation employs an AABB CCDD EE rhyme scheme (e.g., whim/dim, lie/eye, send/end) to provide a musical quality and coherence often found in devotional poetry.

2. Rhythm and Meter: While not strictly adhering to a rigid meter, the lines generally follow an iambic flow with variations. This creates a poetic cadence that is pleasing to the ear while allowing for natural expression.

3. Vivid Imagery: Phrases like "fallen leaves" and "jagged stones" are used to paint a clear picture of the ascetic hardships Akka Mahadevi is willing to endure, mirroring the original's stark imagery ("ತರಗೆಲೆ," "ಸರಿಯ ಮೇಲೊರಗಿ").

 4. Apostrophe (Direct Address): The poem directly addresses the divine ("Lord," "Chennamallikarjuna, my Lord"), a key characteristic of Bhakti poetry that establishes an intimate and confrontational tone, much like the original "ಚೆನ್ನಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನಯ್ಯಾ."

 5. Alliteration and Assonance: Subtle use of sound repetition, such as in "spirit dim" (alliteration of 'd' if "devise" is considered, assonance of short 'i') and "feed and thrive," enhances the lyrical quality of the verse.

 6. Emotive Language: Words and phrases like "bent to your whim," "spirit dim," and "dire ruin" are chosen to convey the intense emotional landscape of the Vachana—Akka's defiance, resilience, and the gravity of the divine test.

 7. Figurative Language: The phrase "to be bent to your whim" serves as a metaphorical expression for subjugation or exploitation, capturing the essence of "ಆಳಿಗೊಳಲುಬೇಡ."

 8. Elevated Diction and Tone: The language maintains a tone of serious conviction and spiritual gravitas, appropriate for the Vachana's themes of divine challenge and ultimate surrender.

These elements work in concert to translate not just the words, but the passionate spirit and profound faith that animate Akka Mahadevi's Vachana.