Lingayatism

Part of a series on Lingayatism
History · Deities
Saints Panchacharyas · Basavanna Allama · Akka Mahadevi Channabasavanna
Beliefs and practices Ashtavarana · Shatsthala Panchachara · Vegetarianism Ishtalinga · Kayaka · Daasoha
Scriptures Karana Hasuge · Mantra Gopya Shunyasampadane · Vachanas Shaivaite Agamas
Pilgrim centers Kashi · Ujjaini · Kedar · Rambhapuri Kudalasangama · Basava Kalyana Ingaleshwara · Shrishaila · Ulavi Yedeyur · Basavana Bagewadi Sholapur
Related topics Shaivism · Sharanas · Linga Anubhava Mantapa · Leaders Glossary · Caste system
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Lingayatism or Veerashaivism refers to a Hindu religious sect in India. The adherents of the faith go by the name Lingayats or Veerashaivas. The term derives from Lingavantha in Kannada. The religion represents a reform movement attributed to Basavanna and others in the twelfth century C.E.

History and Origin

The history of the Lingayat faith goes back to Basavanna (1134 - 1196 C.E.). Legend relates that Basavanna, though born a Brahmin, rebelled against the rigid practices of the caste system then prevalent, and eventually began expounding his own philosophy with a casteless society at its core. Soon, his philosophy began attracting large numbers of people into the fold. Saints like Allama Prabhu, Akka Mahadevi, Channabasavanna also played pivotal roles in founding and spearheading the sect.

Basavanna lived and taught in the northern part of Karnataka State. The movement found its roots during the brief rule of the southern Kalachuri dynasty in those parts of the state. Traditionally, Basavanna has been considered an incarnation of Nandi, Shiva's greatest devotee.

Another school of thought maintains that Basavanna only brought about a renaissance in an already existing sect. They attribute the founding of the sect to the mythological Panchacharyas (Five Teachers). The Panchacharyas consisted of Sri Revanaradhya or Revanasiddha, Marularadhya or Marulasidhdha, Ekoramaradhaya or Ekorama, Panditaradhya and Vishwaradhya. That theory lacks historical evidence and Basavanna has been widely believed to have founded the sect.

Sources of Lingayat history

The aikya linga of Basava at Kudalasangama

Reconstructing the historical context, origin and development of the Lingayat faith, requires draw upon several sources. The various sources employed include folk literature, inscriptions, historical facts, post-Basava developments, the Vachanas, reminiscences, Ragale literature, the lingayat and Jaina puranas and the doctrinal and philosophical works like the Shoonya Sampadane. Reconstructing the origin and development of the Lingayat faith across time and space requires a holistic and comparative study of all those sources. Of all the sources, the epigraphical evidence stands out as particularly important. The Arjunavada inscription in particular establishes the historicity of Basava beyond dispute. The Vachana literature, especially the vachanas composed by Basava himself stand out as critical in this study. Harihara's Ragale constitutes yet another invaluable source.

Lingayat Theosophy

Lingayats believe in a monotheistic world, called Shakti Vishishtadvaita, where Shiva the supreme god and self are one and the same. Unlike other Hindus, Lingayats place little importance on the Vedas, focusing more on the Hindu Agamas, specifically, the Shaivite Agamas. Some Lingayats view the Vedas as polytheistic in nature while the Agamas maintain a strict monotheistic and devotional nature. Veera Shaivism's means of attainment depend on the concepts of Panchāchāra (five codes of conduct), Ashtāvarana (eight shields) and Shatsthala central to Lingayat theosophy. The Shatsthala refers to the different levels of attainment that the devotee can achieve to protect the body as the abode of the Lord.

Panchacharas

The Panchacharas describe the five modes of conduct followed by the believer. The Panchacharas include -

• Lingāchāra - daily worship of the personal Sivalinga.
• Sadāchāra - attention to vocation and duty.
• Sivāchāra - acknowledging Shiva as the one God and equality among members.
• Bhrityāchāra - humility towards all creatures.
• Ganāchāra - defense of the community and its tenets.

Ashtavarana

The Ashtavaranas shield the devotee from extraneous distraction and worldly attachments. The Ashtavaranas include - Guru, Linga, Jangama (wandering monk), Pādodaka (water from bathing the Linga or guru's feet), Prasāda (sacred offering), Vibhuti (holy ash created using cow dung), Rudrāksha (holy beads) and Mantra (Namah Sivaya).

Shatsthala

Shatsthala or the concept of six phases/states/paths has a pivotal role in Lingayat philosophy. Shatsthala constitutes a conflation of Shat and Sthala, meaning 'six phases/states/levels' through which a soul advances in its ultimate quest of realization of the Supreme. The Shatsthala comprises the Bhakta Sthala, Maheshwara Sthala, Prasadi Sthala, Pranalingi Sthala, Sharana Sthala and the Aikya Sthala. The Aikya Sthala culminates when the soul leaves the physical body and merges with the Supreme.

While the origins of the Shatsthala may be traced to the Agamas, particularly the Parameshwaratantra, with the evolution of Veerashaivism, the concept of Shatsthala also developed. While Basavanna understood Shatsthala as a process with various stages attained in succession, Channabasavanna, Basavanna's nephew, deserves the credit of refuting that and redefining Shatsthala. Channabasavanna differed radically from his uncle and held that a soul can reach its salvation in any stage.

Concept of God

Lingayats believe in a monotheistic world where Shiva stands as the supreme God and the self and Shiva are one and the same. That form of monotheism, called Shakti Vishishtadvaita, presents a fascinating concept of God. The Istalinga worn by the Veerashaivas on their body represents a miniature of the Sthavaralinga worshipped in the temples. The Sthavaralinga, also known as Shivalinga, an amorphous representation of Shiva.

Concept of Shoonya

True union and identity of Siva (Linga) and soul (anga) represents life's goal, described as shoonya, or nothingness. One merges with Siva by shatsthala, a progressive six-stage path of devotion and surrender: bhakti (devotion), mahesha (selfless service), prasada (earnestly seeking Siva's grace), pranalinga (experience of all as Siva), sharana (egoless refuge in Siva), and aikya (oneness with Siva). Each phase brings the seeker closer, until soul and God fuse in a final state of perpetual Siva consciousness, as rivers merging in the ocean.

Anubhava Mantapa

The Anubhava Mantapa, an academy of mystics, saints and philosophers of the Veerashaiva faith in twelfth century Kalyana, constituted the fountainhead of all religious and philosophical thought pertaining to the Veerashaivas. The mystic Allama Prabhu presided with numerous Sharanas from all over Karnataka and other parts of India participating. That institution became the fountainhead of the Vachana literature used as the vector to propagate Veerashaiva religious and philosophical thought. Other giants of Veerashaiva theosophy like Akka Mahadevi, Channabasavanna and Basavanna himself participated in the Anubhava Mantapa. The Anubhava Mantapa originally had been called the Shivanubhavamantapa.

Saguna and Nirguna

Saguna means one who has Guna or characteristic manifestations, a way that leads to Saguna Upasane, accomplished by engaging our senses like eyes to watch Abhisheka, ears to hear Sthotra and Mantra, and tongue to chant.

Nirguna means one who has gone past all attributes. When a person follows the Ashtavarana for the body and Shatsthala for the mind (those gradually convert a person from Saguna to Nirguna) will lead self to rise and reach nirguna state. This way leads to Nirguna Upasane.

Scriptures

• Siddhanta Shikhamani
• Vachanas
• Mantra Gopya
• Shoonya Sampadane
• Shaivite Agamas
• Karana Hasuge

Lingayat customs and practices

Ishtalinga

The Lingayats make it a point to wear the Ishtalinga at all times. The Istalinga, comprised of light gray slate stone, has been coated with fine durable thick black paste of cow dung ashes mixed with some suitable oil to withstand wear and tear. That makes a coating called Kanti (covering). Occasionally, the crafts person mixes ashes with clarified butter. The Ishtalinga has been occasionally mistakenly likened to a miniature or an image of the Sthavaralinga. The Ishtalinga on the contrary, devotees consider the Ishtalinga as Lord Shiva himself, its worship called Ahangrahopasana.

Thus, for the Lingayats it constitutes an amorphous representation of God. Lingayat thus means the wearer of that Linga as Ishta Linga. Here the word Ishta, a Sanskrit term, means 'adored' or 'desired'. Unlike Advaitins, Lingayats treats the Ishtalinga as more than a mere representation of God to aid in realizing God, but as the worship of the Ishtalinga itself as God. Similar to most brahmins, Lingayats maintain strict vegetarianism.

Lingadharane

Lingadharane refers the ceremony of initiation among Lingayats. Though, it can be performed at any age, it is usually performed when a child is 3-8 days old. The child receives Istalinga from the family Guru that is worshipped until age 8 -11 years. Usually between the ages of 8 and 11 years, the child receives Diksha from the Guru. From then on, the child wears the Linga at all times for the remainder of his/her life and it is worshipped as their own Istalinga. The Linga is housed in a small silver and wooden box and cloth. It is worn on the chest or around the body using a thread. Unlike other castes of Hinduism like brahmins permitting upanayana to only males this ceremony or deeksha can be taken by both men and women in presence of a satguru. This practice was started by revolutionary Basavanna himself who refused to undergo upanayana seeing the discrimination of women.

Kaayakave Kailaasa

Kaayaka means the exertion of the Kaaya (body) for the liberation of the soul imprisoned therein. Kailaasa means abode of Shiva -heavenly.

• Kaayakave Kailaasa literally means, Kaayaka or the body which exerts itself for nishkaama Karma-Karma without any expectation is nothing but Kailaasa-the abode of Shiva - heavenly.

A vachana complimentary to this which talks about keeping the Kaaya or body purely goes as

• yenna kaale kamba dehave degula shirave honna kaLashavayya sthaavarakkaLivuntu jangamakkaLivilla - meaning, 'My legs are the pillars, my body the temple, and my head the golden spire. That which is immobile is transient. That which is mobile is not.'

As one theory goes Indian subcontinent can be divided as North and South divided by the Vindhya mountain ranges. While the North is blessed with the Himalayan rivers flowing all through the year and boasts of Ganga -called as sacred river. The South has river Kaveri which originates at Talakaveri dries up in summer. Hence the North is referred as Punya Bhoomi residents of which believe in taking a dip in Ganga with Bhakthi will wash off all your sins. But South is referred as Karma Bhoomi who believe in their Karma which will decide the fate. The Kaayaka Tatva of Basavanna also bases itself into Karma Siddhantha -Philosophy of Karma.

Daasoha

Among the many injunctions prescribed for the devout Lingayat, Dasoha is a very important one. Basava created this as a protest against the feudalistic ideologies present at that time. He shunned the sharp hierarchical divisions that existed and sought to remove all distinctions between the hierarchically superior master class and the subordinate, servile class. Even though he himself served as a minister under the king, Bijjala, he pointed out that he worked only as a daasohi or one who serves. Dasoha to him meant working hard for one's livelihood and for the maintenance of society. In Basava's view, a dasohi should consider himself, but a servant of society. Therefore, Dasoha in principle assumed that what belongs to God must return to Him and what came from society should be given back by way of selfless service. Basava exhorted all wearers of Ishta linga to practice dasoha without reservation.

A famous vachana says

• Soham yennade Daasoham yendenisayya - which means be selfless (Daasa Aham) rather than selfish (Naanu or Aham).

Festivals

Burial

Unlike most other Hindus who cremate the dead, the Lingayat bury their dead. The dead are buried in the Dhyana mudra (meditating position) with their Ishta linga in their left hand.

Veerashaiva literature

The rise of Veerashaivism heralded a new and glorious chapter in the annals of Kannada literature. It saw the birth of the Vachana style of literature with the Veerashaiva philosophy at its core. The Vachanas were pithy poems of devotional nature that expounded the ideals of Veerashaivism. Saints and Sharanas like Allama Prabhu, Akka Mahadevi and Basavanna himself were at the forefront of this development. The entire corpus of these works was in Kannada and it marks one of the glorious chapters in the history of Kannada literature. As with the Dasa Sahitya of the later Haridasas, the Vachanas were also primarily targeted at the common man and sought to demystify God as large sections of society had been deprived of access to the texts. The Jangamas played a central role in the propagation of the Vachanas.

Veerashaiva Mathas and Mathadipathis

Historically there are 5 mathas known as pancha peethas located at

• Balehonnur - Chikkamagaluru district
• Ujjini - Kudligi, Bellary district, Karnataka state.
• Kedar - Uttaranchal
• Shreeshaila - Andhra Pradesh.
• Kashi- Uttar pradesh.

Lingayat demographics

Lingayats today are spread all over the state of Karnataka. They are Karnataka's largest community with 22% of the state population and about 2% of the country's population. Sizeable populations are also found in parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh bordering Karnataka. Tamil Nadu and Kerala also has Lingayat population. In north Indian more prominently they are called Kashmiri Shaivaites or Veerashaiva. In Karnataka, the Lingayat population is quite large and widespread.

Today, the Lingayat diaspora can be found in countries around the world, particularly the United States, Britain and Australia. The Lingayat community wields considerable clout in the sphere of Karnataka politics. Several important and powerful leaders have been from the Lingayat community.

Lingayats subcastes

Since Lingayata was not meant to be a caste but a Dharma - social reformation almost all of the social sects fall in as sub categories but still have distinctions between them.

• Lingayat Aradhya.
• Lingayat Brahmana.
• Lingayat Agasa.
• Lingayat Badigar.
• Lingayat Banagar.
• Lingayat Banajiga.
• Lingayat Ganiga.
• Lingayat Gowda (Gowdike)
• Lingayat Hadapada.
• Lingayat Hugar.
• Lingayat Jangama.
• Lingayat Kammara.
• Lingayat Kudu Vokkaliga.
• Lingayat Kumbara.
• Lingayat Kuruhina Setty.
• Lingayat Machegar.
• Lingayat Madivala (dhobi)
• Lingayat Nonaba.
• Lingayat Panchamasali.
• Lingayat Sadar.
• Lingayat Shiva Simpi.
• Lingayat Veerashaiva Hatgar.
• Reddi/Lingayat Reddy.
• Lingayat Bajantri
• Lingayat Balegala
• Lingayat Bhandari
• Lingayat Bilijedaru
• Lingayat Bilimagga
• Lingayat gowli
• Lingayat Gurav
• Lingayat Hatgar
• Lingayat Jadaru
• Lingayat Jeer
• Lingayat Kammasali
• Lingayat Malgar
• Lingayat Medhar
• Lingayat Nayinda
• Lingayat Neelagar
• Lingayat Neygi
• Lingayat Lolagonda
• Lingayat Uppara

Lingayats and social work

The Lingayat community under the aegis of several Mathas has been very active in the field of social work, particularly in the field of education and medicine. Thousands of schools are run by the Lingayat Mathas where education, sometimes free and with boarding facilities is provided to students of all sections of society irrespective of religion or caste. In addition, various Lingayat organisations run numerous schools, colleges and hospitals across the length and breadth of Karnataka. Some of these institutions also have branches in other states of India. Some of the notable Lingayat run institutions include the JSS group of institutions, the K.L.E. and Siddaganga Education Society

Famous Lingayats

• Dr. Siddayya Puranik (Kavyananda), IAS, famous kannada poet
• Dr. Shivakumara Swamiji (Head of Siddaganga Matt)
• Justice. P. Mahadevayya, Rajadharmapraveena, Diwanbahadur, the first Kannadiga Chief Justice of Mysore 1931-1934,
• Justice. T. N. Mallappa, High Court of Karnataka
• Shivraj Patil, Home minister, Government of India
• Vijay Sankeshwar, former MP,founderof VRL logistic ltd
• S.Nijalingappa, Freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, He played important roles in both the Indian independence movement and the Karnataka Ekikarana movement.
• Jagadguru Sri Sri Shivarathri Desikendra Mahaswamigalavaru, Pontiff of JSS Math,Mysore
• B. D. Jatti, Former Vice President of India and former CM of Karnataka
• Basavaraj Rajguru, Classical Musician
• Mallikarjun Mansur, Classical Musician
• Go. Ru. Channabasappa, Writer and critic, President, Akhila Bharatha Sharana Saahithya Parishath.
• G. S. Shivarudrappa, poet and critic, Rashtra Kavi.
• S. R. Bommai, senior leader Janatha Dal and former CM Karnataka
• Veerendra Patil, Former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Jayadevappa Halappa Patel, Former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• B. S. Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka
• D. M. Nanjundappa, Noted economist from Karnataka, Vice-chancellor of Bangalore University and Karnataka University.
• Nilkanthrao Kalyani,Industrialist
• M.P. Prakash, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Chadrakant Navande, Shiv-Sena Leader, Parli-V, Maharashtra
• Sangamesh V.K., Famous Industrialist
• Somashekar Patil, Famous Industrialist
• Ashok S Humbarawadi, Iron man, Famous Industrialist
• Dr. Anand Kumar Kodliwadmath, M.B.B.S.(KU), D.A.(Bombay)
• Patil Puttappa,renowed kannada activists
• Shri Shri Jagadguru Mate Mahadevi, Basava Dharma Peetha (R), Mahamane Mahamatha, Koodala Sangama - 587115
• Jagadish Shettar, Speaker, Government of Karnataka
• Prabhakar B. Kore, KLE Society(The biggest Education society in the state) Chairman, MP and former minister
• Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Great Educationalists in Davanagere and former state minister
• M.P.Prakash, Congress Leader and Farmer Dy Chief Minister of Karnataka
• M.Rajashekar Murthy, Senior Congress Leader and Former Finance Minister of Karnataka
• BASAVARAJ PATIL YETNAL, Senior BJP Leader, MP and Former Union Minister of India
• Smt.Basavarajeswari, Senior Congress Leader, EX-MP and Former Union Minister of India
• Basavaraj Patil Anwari, Senior Congress Leader, EX-MP and Former Union Minister of India
• Smt.K.S.Nagarathnamma, Senior Congress Leader, Former Minister and opposition party leader in Assembly
• S.Mallikarjunaiah , Senior BJP Leader, MP and former Deputy Speaker of Parliament
• Babugowda Patil , Senior BJP Leader, former MP and Union Minister of India
• Pramila Nesargi , Senior BJP Leader and State Women’s Commission Chairperson
• Dr.MC Modi , famous eye surgeon and Padmashri and Padmabhushan award winner
• Ashok Kheny , Award winner, visionry and Head of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Project(NICE)
• A.S.POSHETTY , Famous Lawer,Senior TRS Leader.Nizamabad,Andrapradesh
• Pandit Prabhudev Sardar , top ranking All India Radio Hindustani classical artist, gifted with rich and powerful voice

See also

• Shaivism

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Farquhar, J. N. An Outline of the Religious Literature of India. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1967. OCLC 387834
• Ishwaran, K. Speaking of Basava: Lingayat Religion and Culture in South Asia. Boulder, Colo: Westview Press, 1992. ISBN 0813383897
• Mahādēvi. A Guide to Lingayatism: A Prose Composition. Dharwar: Suyidhana Sugrantha Maale, 1973. OCLC 1341304

External links

• Welcome to the Spiritual World of Veerashaiva Teachings @ Veerashaiva.info. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
• Shivayoga - A Technique of Opening the Third Eye from the teachings of Veershaiva @ Shivayoga.net. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
• Veerashaivism - a Live and Vibrant Faith. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
• His Holiness Mahatapsvi Shri Kumarswamiji, Tapovan, Dharwad. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
• Lingayatism. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
• VSNY. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
• [1] ---- Akhila Bharatha Sharana Saahithya Parishath . Retrieved July 23, 2008.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangam . Retrieved July 23, 2008.
• https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no30682.htm . Retrieved July 23, 2008.
• http://ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/karnataka.html . Retrieved July 23, 2008.

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