On Her Birth Anniversary Here Are Five Of Her Most Thought-Provoking Quotes

Revisiting the most thought-provoking Mahadevi Varma quotes: Poetess and author Mahadevi Varma, a prominent name in Hindi literary history, has been known for being ahead of her times. The novelist was born on 26 March, 1907 in Allahabad in a progressive family who encouraged her to study.

Comparisons were drawn between the poetess and Mirabai, the 16th century Bhakti Saint and Hindu mystic poet, and Varma was referred to as “Modern Mira”. Mahadevi Varma’s father, who was a Western-educated English school teacher, introduced her to Mirabai’s poetry.

The decision to marry off the poetess to Swarup Narain, a boy from Bareilly, was made when she was nine. However, when she graduated from college, Varma refused to fulfill her marital obligations.

The Padma Vibhushan awardee became one of the four pillars of Chhayavaad– the neo-romantic movement of Hindi literature. She extensively wrote about women’s position in society. Varma's essays featured on Chand, a women's magazine of that time. Later, her 11 of her radical essays were compiled as a book in 1942 - Shrnkhla Ki Kadiyaan (Chains of Subjugation).

Here are some empowering quotes by the poetess Mahadevi Varma on her birthday:

“ प्रतिवाद के उपरांत तो मत परिवर्तन सहज है , पर मौन मे इसकी कोई संभावना शेष नही रहती । ”

“ कवि कहेगा ही क्या , यदि उसकी इकाई बनकर अनेकता नही पा सकी और श्रोता सुनेंगे ही क्या , यदि उन सबकी विभिन्नताएँ कवि मे एक नही हो सकी । ”

“ गृहिणी का कर्त्तव्य कम महत्वपूर्ण नही है , यदि स्वेच्छा से स्वीकृत है । ” 

“ मेरे संकल्प के विरूद्ध बोलना उसे और अधिक दृढ़ कर देना है । ” 

"मैं किसी रीती रिवाजों में विश्वास नहीं करती। मैं मोक्ष को नहीं मिट्टी को ज्यादा पसंद करती हूँ।"