Marulashankaradeva (ಮರಳು ಶಂಕರದೇವ)

In order to cross the ocean of worldliness
the boatman called Knowledge
was sitting in the boat called Awareness,
with an oar called Good Knowledge.
When I saw the stream and asked the boatman
he said he would take me to the other side.
Saying that I had faith in him, I sat in the boat.
There was a log called Sex blocking the boat-path,
fish called Ego was there in the whirlpool called Anger,
there was crocodile called Maya opening its mouth wide,
waves called Attractions were strong,
The current called Greed tried to draw the boat,
the tide called Forgetfulness was pushing the boat to the shore,
the wind called Jealousy was about to upturn the boat.
The boatman steered clear of all this and helped me cross the river.
After I crossed the river the boatman asked for the fare.
I said that I had nothing to offer.
He dragged me away as a prisoner and
he made me a slave to look after his cows.
As fee for the knowledge he had given me
He made me to look after his cows.
As fee for having crossed the stream without knowing
I looked after his cows
Suddha Siddha Prasiddha Prasanna Prabhuve
Shaanta Chennamallikaarjunadeevayya
Your mercy, your mercy, your mercy. [Vachana No.1926] ^[1]

Marulashankaradeva came to Kalyaana from a village called Kunbatturu. Several scholars think he is from Afghanisthan. He was a secret devotee at Basavanna’s Maahamane and for 12 no one knew of his greatness. Shoonya Sampadane tells that Allamaprabhu revealed his greatness to the people. 35 of his vachanas with a longish signature phrase Shuddha Siddha Prasiddha Prasanna Prabhuve Shaanthamallikarjuna are available.

Can an ordinary woman have
qualities of Rambha, the heavenly dancer?
That thing which has withered away
can it have the glow of body with nine rasas?
Can the servants be enthusiastic of religion?
You came like touchstone to destroy the stoniness
Suddha Siddha Prasiddha Prasanna Prabhuve
Shaanta Chennamallikaarjunadeevayya
I came to life with the grace of Prabhudeva. [Vachana No.1927] ^[1]