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On the 3rd of May, 2022, the country commemorated the birth anniversary of Basavanna, also known as Basaveshwara. He was a 12th-century socio-religious reformer from Karnataka and the founding saint of the Lingayat sect.
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Basaveshwara, a 12th-century philosopher and statesman from Karnataka, founded Veera Shaivism. His followers, known as Sharanas, spread this doctrine. They are referred to as Veera (heroic) Shaivaites and Lingayats, meaning bearers of Siva Linga. A pendant containing a Linga is constantly worn around the neck by the Shaivaites. These followers are also known as Shivasharanas and Lingavantas.
The Lingayat movement rejected the system of four ashramas, the authority of the Vedas, caste hierarchy, ritualistic priesthood, the plurality of gods, sacrifice of animals, and temple worship. This was similar to the revolt against the Catholic authority by the Protestants in the 16th century.
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According to the Veera Shaiva tradition, Basaveshwara, popularly known as Basavanna, developed a deep devotion towards Lord Shiva – Kudalasangama “Lord of the meeting rivers”. At the age of 28, he came to understand that the brotherhood of man is based on the doctrine of a personalized, individual Godhood in the form of Ishtalinga (“personal Linga/ Chosen Linga”). From this spiritual realization, the central Veera Shaiva belief emerged that the human body should be revered as a moving temple of God and that this temple should always be in a state of sublimity and purity.
After completing his studies at Sangama, Basavanna travelled to Mangalavede to serve in the royal court of King Bijjala. Despite the conflicts with Jainism and Buddhism in his Shaivite country, he rose to the position of chief officer of the royal treasury. His revolutionary message of a new, visionary religious society quickly spread among the masses due to his influential position.
Basaveshwara gave discourses every evening, denouncing various social practices such as caste hierarchy, astrology, building of temples, magical practices etc. He encouraged the masses to develop rational thinking and to worship Lord Siva within themselves. In this place, he developed a large Shaivite religious movement and lived and preached here for twenty years. The “Hall of Siva experience” Sivanubhava Mandapa became a gathering place for discourse. Basavanna passed away at the age of 62.
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| Bhakti Movement | Difference Between Bhakti and Sufi Movements |
| Difference between Nayanars and Alvars | Sant Kabir Das Jayanti |
The Vachanas or prose lyrics of Basavanna and Allama Prabhu encapsulate their doctrines. The term Vachanas literally means “what is said”. These Vachanas reject the legends of Gods and Goddesses; they scorn the Vedas and mock ritual practices. The authors of Vachanas, known as Vachanakaras, viewed religion in its formal way – as a static institution promising security and predictability to human beings. They believed that religion should be spontaneous, dynamic, and free of any bargain extracted in exchange for salvation. These Vachanas, written in the Kannada language and central to the life of Lingayats, are filled with humour, ridicule, truth-seeking, bristling with monotheism, and encourage devotees to enter into the realm of personal spirituality.
Note: To learn more about Vachana Sahitya , visit the linked article.
The means of attainment as described and accepted by the Veera Shaivas depend on the panchachara (five codes of conduct) and ashtavarana (eight shields) to protect the body as the abode of the Lord.
The five codes of Panchachara are:
The eight shields of Ashtavarna are:
'Linga Diksha' is the formal initiation into the Veera Shaiva religion. This rite, performed for both genders, replaces the sacred thread ceremony and requires the Lingayat (devotee) to worship the personal Sivalinga daily. Lingayats place great emphasis on this life, on equality of all members (regardless of sex, education, caste, etc.) and social service. The faith stresses free will, affirming a purposeful world, and avows pure monotheism.
In a Lingayat family, when a child is born, he/she is introduced to the faith on the same day. A visit is made to a Jangama (monk). The Jangama bestows the child with a small Sivalinga encased in a pendant tied to a thread. This encased Sivalinga is the personal/ chosen Linga which must be worn around one’s neck throughout one’s life.
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