Early life of Basavcshwara (1132-1168 C.E.): Basavcshwara was born in 1132 C.E. in Ingaleshwara (Bagewadi Taluk). His parents were Madarasa and Madalambike. Basaveshwara was taught Vedas, Grammar and Logic in Sanskrit and Kannada. When he came of proper age, his father performed his upanayana ceremony. But he revolted against the existing socio-religious setup, discarded his sacred thread and went to Kudalasangama, where he studied under Jatavedamuni and attained spiritual and intellectual maturity.
Service under Bijjala : From Kudalasangama. he went to Mangalavede. Kalachuri King Bijjala, appointed Basaveshwara as accountant (Karanika). He rose to the position of chief treasurer (Bhandari). He married Neelambike and Gangambike. Without getting influenced by power, wealth and worldly life, he earned out his responsibilities through honest service. After the ***** of Siddarasa, Bijjala appointed Basaveshwara as his Prime Minister. As a Prime Minister, he introduced several reforms in administration. He spent his spare time in the propagation of Veerashaiva religion. After the overthrow of Bijjala (1162 C.E), he went to Kalyana, and Kalyana became the centre of his movement.
Shaktivishishtadvaitha Philosophy of Basaveshwara: (Nonduality) : Basaveshwara propounded Shaktivishistadvaitha Philosophy. He gave an opportunity for all to wear Ishtalinga, irrespective of caste and gender. Religions give equal opportunities to every Body for the worship of Shiva. Linga (**) and Anga (Individual Soul) are two halves of the |ame thing. Moksha (salvation) is to attain oneness with Linga. The merger of Shiva (Purusha) with Shakti (Prakruti) forms the basis of Basaveshwara’ Philosophy. Shiva and Shakti are individually incomplete without the merger with each other and this is called Shakthiv is his htadvaitha Philosophy. Basaveshwara propagated Veerashaivism.
which had the following fundamental principles.
1. Believe in one that is Shiva: Basaveshwara believed in the oneness of the supreme Shiva, who is associated with Shakti. Shakti and Shiva are inseparable.
- He opposed the worship of several Gods. Final aim of the Soul is to merge with the Linga. He advocated the six divisions – Shatthalagalu namely Bhaktha, Maheshwara, Pfasadhi, Pranalingi, Sharana and Aikya.
3. Ashtavaranas: He gave eight rules called Ashtavaranas to be followed by the veerashaivas. They are: 1) Obedience to Guru, 2) Worship of Linga, 3) Reverence for Jangama 4) Smearing of vibhuti (sacred ash) on the forehead, 5) Wearing of Rudraksha (sacred beads), 6) Sipping the padodaka of the Jangama, 7) Offering food to *** and – partaking prasada, 8) Chanting of Panchakshari mantra.
Basaveshwara opposed all ** beliefs. He condemned the worship of images of . e.g., Worshipping the idols of *** was like chewing the bamboo leaf which had no juice and churning water which gives no butter.
Basaveshwara preached the dignity of labour. According to him ‘work is worship (Kayakave Kailasa).
6. Moral taught to the people: He preached moral rituals like compassion, humanity, toleration, and love. Good conduct is heaven and bad conduct is ****.
- He stood for a casteless and classless society. Veerashaiva ideal society was based on equality among all lingayats irrespective of caste, race, creed and **. Basaveshwara popularised his Philosophy through a new style of literature in Kannada known as the ‘Vachana Sahitya’. A man’ status is decided by his competency and not by his caste, and all are equal before Shiva: He gave importance to the inner purity rather than the outer image projected.
Anubhava Mantapa: Basaveshwara established Anubhava Mantapa at Kalyana to spread his Philosophy. This is called Shi vanubhava Mantapa or Vachana Mantapa. It was an academy where religious discourses were held and social and religious problems were discussed. Allamaprabhu presided over these religious discourses. It’* main purpose was to bring together the Veerashiva Saints, Scholars and Shiva Sharanas to share the religious experience. All were welcome in Anubhavamantapa without discrimination of race, religion or gender.
It was the first step to reform and reorganise society on the basis of equality of religion, status and move towards a classless society. Allamaprabhu, Akkamahadevi, Madi val Machaiah, Ambigara Chowdaiah, Siddarama, Channabasava, Kinnari Bommaiah, Lakkamma, Nagambika, Mukthayakka and other Shivasharanas took part in the religious discussions at the Dharmasabha or Anubhava Mantapa.
