Jagajyoti Basava | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 1131[1] |
| Died | 1167[1] (aged 36–37) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Sect | Lingayat Shaivism (Sharana)[2][3] |
| Known for | Socio-religious reforms, Anubhava Mantapa, Vachana literature, Women empowerment movement in South India, Founder of Lingayatism |
| Religious career | |
| Literary works | Vachanaas |
| Occupation | poet, social reformer, philosopher, chief minister of Bijapur province ("ವಚನಗಾರರು") |
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Basava (1131–1167), also called Basavēśvara and Basavaṇṇa, was an Indian philosopher, poet, Lingayat social reformer in the Shiva-focused bhakti movement, and a Hindu Shaivite[4] social reformer during the reign of the Kalyani Chalukya/Kalachuri dynasty. Basava was active during the rule of both dynasties but reached the peak of his influence during the rule of King Bijjala II in Karnataka, India.[2][5][6]
Basava spread social awareness through his poetry, popularly known as Vachanaas. He rejected gender or social discrimination, superstitions and rituals[1] but introduced Ishtalinga necklace, with an image of the lingam,[7] to every person regardless of their birth, to be a constant reminder of one's bhakti (devotion) to Shiva. A strong promoter of ahimsa, he also condemned human and animal sacrifices. As the chief minister of his kingdom, he introduced new public institutions such as the Anubhava Mantapa (or, the "hall of spiritual experience"),[8] which welcomed men and women from all socio-economic backgrounds to discuss spiritual and mundane questions of life, in open.[9]
The traditional legends and hagiographic texts state Basava to be the founder of the Lingayats. However, modern scholarship relying on historical evidence such as the Kalachuri inscriptions state that Basava was the poet philosopher who revived, refined and energized an already existing tradition.[1][2][10] The Basavarajadevara Ragale (13 out of 25 sections are available) by the Kannada poet Harihara (c. 1180) is the earliest available account on the life of the social reformer and is considered important because the author was a near contemporary of his protagonist.[11] A full account of Basava's life and ideas are narrated in a 13th-century sacred Telugu text, the Basava Purana by Palkuriki Somanatha.[12]
Basava literary works include the Vachana Sahitya in Kannada Language. He is also known as Bhaktibhandari (lit. 'the treasurer of devotion')[13] and Basavanna.
- ^ a b c d Carl Olson (2007), The Many Colors of Hinduism: A Thematic-historical Introduction, Rutgers University Press, ISBN 978-0813540689, pages 239–240
- ^ a b c Basava Encyclopædia Britannica (2012), Quote: "Basava, (flourished 12th century, South India), Hindu religious reformer, teacher, theologian, and administrator of the royal treasury of the Kalachuri-dynasty king Bijjala I (reigned 1156–67)."
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
blake7was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Jestice, Phyllis G. (2004). Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 107. ISBN 978-1-57607-355-1.
- ^ A. K. Ramanujan (1973). Speaking of Śiva. Penguin. pp. 175–177. ISBN 978-0-14-044270-0.
- ^ Gene Roghair (2014). Siva's Warriors: The Basava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha. Princeton University Press. pp. 11–14. ISBN 978-1-4008-6090-6.
- ^ Fredrick Bunce (2010), Hindu deities, demi-gods, godlings, demons, and heroes, ISBN 9788124601457, page 983
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
janpeter4was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
skdas163was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
edricewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Shiva Prakash (1997), p. 179
- ^ Velchuri Rao and Gene Roghair (2014), Siva's Warriors: The Basava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha, Princeton University Press, ISBN 978-0691604879, pp. 1–14
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
janpeterwas invoked but never defined (see the help page).