I Have Maya For Mother-In-Law – Summary
Table of Contents
The poem “I have Maya for mother-in-law” was beautifully penned by Akka Mahadevi who was one of the early poets of Kannada Literature. She was a devotee of Lord Shiva and considered him, her husband which is depicted in this poem.
The poem I Have Maya For Mother-In-Law started by introducing the protagonist, Maya who represents daughter-in-law and describes her difficult relationship with her mother-in-law which is the main theme of the poem. In the line.
“The World For Father-In-Law”, “The world” is a metaphor that symbolises societal expectations and demands imposed on Maya. The three in-laws stand in for the social forces that Maya views as scary or threatening, much like the aggression of tigers. This can imply the existence of repressive social or cultural norms. Then the poem emphasises the husband’s adultery or lack of loyalty because he is preoccupied with other women who make him happy or laugh, which makes Maya feel even more unhappy and frustated.
Maya was disappointed with her husband as he was neither God or a perfect husband. Her sister-in-law was represented as another obstacle for Maya. She was unable to oppose or criticise her sister-in-law due to social pressures imposed on her. She emphasises to find a way out of her unpleasant situation in order to live peacefully.
Maya believes in her desire for closeness with Lord Hara(Shiva), who serves as her spiritual mentor or divine lover. The expression “cuckold my husband” denotes a symbolic gesture of independence and fulfilment independent of her marriage. Maya refers to her own mind as her servant and aims to connect herself with Lord Shiva’s thoughts and consciousness at spiritual level. Maya then portrays a beautiful picture of her Lord Hara by comparing him with the whiteness of jasmine flowers and the mountain peaks symbolise heavenly heights.
In the last line, “and I will make Him my good husband”, Maya expresses her feelings to make Lord Hara as her husband opposing her earthly husband. The poem “Maya for Mother-in-Law” discusses the value of embracing one’s uniqueness and self-expression.
I Have Maya For Mother-In-Law – Themes
Gender Roles and Societal Expectations:
One of the poem’s main themes is an analysis of gender roles and the cultural expectations placed on women, particularly in the context of marriage and family. As the daughter-in-law, Maya has to bear the load of societal expectations placed on her and struggles with the limitations imposed on her.
Freedom and Liberation:
An important theme in the poem is Maya’s desire for freedom. She longs to be freed from the limitations of norms in society that limit her capacity for personal development and expression. She searches for a way to be freed from the limitations of her worldly life through her devotion to her Lord (Hara).
Female Agency and Empowerment:
Maya is an example of a strong, empowered woman who was determined to forge her own path and find comfort with her divine Lord (Hara). The representation of Maya by Akka Mahadevi supports the idea of women having their own agency in an environment where women frequently had little control over their lives.
Beauty and Divine Imagery:
The poem’s realistic depiction of Maya’s Lord (Hara) as breathtakingly beautiful and its use of natural imagery like mountain peaks and jasmine give the spiritual themes more depth and complexity. The exquisite visual supports the notion that Maya’s life is filled with beauty and inspiration from the divine.
Complexity of Human Relationships:
The poem explores the complex elements of relationships, particularly those that occur inside a family. Maya experiences emotions of loneliness and dissatisfaction as a result of her husband’s adultery and their troubled relationship with her mother-in-law. Akka Mahadevi depicts the complex emotional web and conflicts that exist within familial ties.