Saint Basaveshwara

News: The Vice President has called upon society to emulate the philosophy of Saint Basaveshwara, who taught us social equality and to serve society.

About Saint Basaveshwara

• Saint Basaveshwara was a 12th-century philosopher, founding saint of the Lingayat sect, Kannada poet and social reformer during the reign of the Kalachuri-dynasty king Bijjala I in Karnataka.
• He is also known as Basavanna.
• Birth: He was born in Karnataka in 1131 CE.
• He studied Veda, grammar and logic at a young age. 
• Spritual journey: At the age of 8, he removed his sacred thread, saying that he had Linga deeksha at his birth, and so there was no need for Upanayana. 
  • Then he went to Kudalasangama, where he studied under Jatavedamuni.
  • He rose to serve as a minister in King Bijjala’s Kalachuri court, giving his reforms institutional backing.
• Philosophy: 
  • He is known for introducing the Ishtalinga (a necklace with a pendant that contains a small Shiva Linga).
    • It acted as a personal emblem of Lord Shiva that completely rejected the need for priestly intermediaries and ritual hierarchies.
  • He gave socio-economic principles of Kayaka, which means Divine work and Dasoha, which means equal distribution.
  • Equality in all forms: He rejected gender or social discrimination, superstitions and rituals. He advocated that every human being was equal, irrespective of caste. According to him, all forms of manual labour were equally important.
  • His philosophy was based on the principles of Arivu (true knowledge), ethos (right conduct), and Anubhava (divine experience).
    • This brought a social, religious, and economic revolution in the 12th century.
  • Veerashaiva movement: He developed and inspired a new devotional movement named Virashaivas, or “ardent, heroic worshippers of Shiva”. This movement shared its roots in the ongoing Tamil Bhakti movement.
  • Respect towards women: In seven vachanas, Basavanna explains how women should be regarded.
    • Through these vachanas, he sets moral guidelines for his followers.
  • Anubhava Mantapa: Basavanna founded the Anubhava Mantapa, the first spiritual parliament of India to promote a caste-free society with equal opportunities for all.
    • It served as a forum for mystics and thinkers to discuss universal human values and ethics.
• Contributions: 
  • His teachings were universal and timeless, going beyond social boundaries and addressing humanity as a whole. 
  • He promoted a new way of life centred on personal spiritual experience, where distinctions based on caste, gender, and social status held no importance. 
• Poetry: Basavanna spread social awareness through poetry (Vachanas) such as Shat-sthala-vachana (discourses on the six phases of salvation), Kala-jnana-vachana (forecasts of the future), Mantra-gopya, Ghatna Chakra-vachana, and Raja-yoga-vachana.
  • He composed religious and ethical literature in the local languages, such as Kannada.
• Literary Works
  • The earliest known account of Basaveshwara’s life is found in Basavaraj Devara Ragale, composed by the Kannada poet Harihara. 
  • A more detailed narration of his life and teachings appears in the 13th-century Telugu text Basava Purana, written by Palkuriki Somanatha.
• Legacy:  Every year, Basava Jayanthi is observed to commemorate the birth of Saint Basavanna.
  • He was the first Kannadiga to be honored with a commemorative coin for his contributions to social reform. 
  • Grand statues such as the 108-foot monument at Basavakalyan and the 111-foot Vishwa Guru Basaveshwara statue at Gadag stand as lasting symbols of his ideals and vision.
  • In 2015, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated another statue of Basaveshwara on the banks of the River Thames at Lambeth in London.
  • The Bharat Mandapam, inaugurated in 2023, is inspired by Basaveshwara’s concept of the Anubhava Mantapa, reflecting his emphasis on dialogue, equality, and collective wisdom.