Basava

Arjunavad-inscription

Kudala Sangama

Necklace with Shiva's Family LACMA M.85.140

Bronze bust of Basaveswara on Albert Embankment in London, facing Parliament

Basava (also known as Basavanna or Basaveshwara, 1105–1167 CE) was a 12th-century philosopher, statesman, Kannada poet in the Shiva-focused Bhakti movement and a social reformer during the reign of the Kalyani Chalukya/Kalachuri dynasty in what is now Karnataka, India. Basava championed the use of vernacular language, Kannada, in all spiritual discussions so that translation and interpretation by the elite class could be avoided. He introduced a new form of spiritual practice, called Anubhava Mantapa, which means "the hall of spiritual experience", where spiritual and socio-economic ideas were debated and discussed among all people, irrespective of their gender or social standing.

Life

Basava was born in the town of Basavan Bagewadi in the northern part of Karnataka, India, into a family that followed a tradition of Shaivism. As a young man, he showed little interest in the traditional occupations of his family and became a devotee of Lord Shiva. He left his home to become a part of the larger spiritual quest that was sweeping through the region. His teachings and poems, known as Vachanas, critiqued the caste system and emphasized personal spiritual development over rigid ritualism.

Philosophy and Teachings

Basava's philosophy, often encapsulated in his Vachanas, revolved around the concept of Ishvara (God) being within every individual and that all forms of manual labor are equally sanctified. He preached the importance of a direct and personal spiritual experience which he termed as "Kayaka" (work) and "Dasoha" (service). Basava advocated for a casteless society and encouraged women to actively participate in spiritual discussions, which was revolutionary at the time.

His teachings led to the establishment of a new spiritual movement known as Lingayatism or Veerashaivism, characterized by the wearing of a personal Linga, a symbol of Shiva, by its followers. This movement laid the foundations for a social revolution in South India, challenging the prevailing societal norms and promoting values of equality, dignity, and self-awareness.

Legacy

Basava's impact on the social and religious fabric of Karnataka and the broader Indian subcontinent is profound. He is revered as a saint in Lingayatism and is also considered one of the pioneers of the Bhakti movement in southern India. His work laid the groundwork for subsequent social reform movements and has been a source of inspiration for many social reformers in India over the centuries.

Basava's teachings and poems continue to be celebrated in Karnataka and by Lingayats worldwide. His birth anniversary, known as Basava Jayanthi, is observed as a major festival in Karnataka.

See Also

• Lingayatism
• Vachana Sahitya
• Kannada Literature
• Bhakti Movement

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