The Mother Figure in Marathi Bhakti Literature : 3

           The Mother Figure in Marathi Bhakti Literature : 3

In this series, today I am going to discuss Janabai. The rationale behind this choice is multi-layered. The foremost basis for this choice, however, is that the Janabai phenomenon extends the very notion of motherhood, makes it most inclusive. 

Janabai apparently is multiply disenfranchised. All the societal norms, be it caste, class, gender, profession, each one is an instrument of oppression in her case. Yet it is her devotion that makes her equal of her master, Namdeva, why, of the entire array of Marathi sant/bhakt poets. She makes thus the notion of the Lord's motherlinees very compassionate, hugely democratic and truly inclusive.

The other reason, of course, is that one of her abhang is entirely  devoted to the notion of Lord Vithoba as the mother with all the major saints of her times as his kids. Sant Nivrutti is atop the Lord's shoulder, while he is holding Sopana's hand. It is Dhyaneshwar who is leading the motherly figure whom Muktabai is trailing. Thus goes on the entire metaphor worked out in thorough detail. 

What we can envision is an indulgent Aai lovingly hoding her kids together. The word picture this abhanga creates always reminds me of the "Jivati che chitra" that  Aai used to put up in the month of Shravana year after year. The abhang has the same sense of the motherly togetherness with her children.

Yet another remarkable aspect of this depiction is the deep, abiding sense of affection and cordiality that shines throgh in some of her other writings as well. In other words, she picturesquely presents the mother figure, and so vividly that the writings by this woman who had no earthly relations enriches the divine relationships.

pratima@mother is "what" you are, and not merely "who" you are in                  relation to the child