Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Yoga / Hindu : Vaishnava (Krishna/Rama)

14th Century

About Janabai

Timeline (1298 - 1350?)

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English version by
Vilas Sarang

Original Language
Marathi

Cast off all shame,

Recommended Books

	Images of Women in Maharashtrian Literature and Religion, Edited by Anne Feldhaus
	Women Saints in World Religions, Edited by Arvind Sharma
	Women Writing in India: 600 BC to the Present: Volume 1, Edited by Susie Tharu / Edited by K. Lalita

Cast off all shame,
and sell yourself
in the marketplace;
then alone
can you hope
to reach the Lord.

Cymbals in hand,
a veena upon my shoulder,
I go about;
who dares to stop me?

The pallav of my sari
falls away (A scandal!);
yet will I enter
the crowded marketplace
without a thought.

Jani says, My Lord,
I have become a slut
to reach Your home.

-- from Women Writing in India: 600 BC to the Present: Volume 1, Edited by Susie Tharu / Edited by K. Lalita

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Janabai

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World