Religious Articles
SRI BASAVESWARA	Return to Articles Index
Šri Basavešwara is one of the most outstanding personalities in the religious history of India. His life and teachings have been a source of inspiration to countless people in South India, particularly in Karnataka and indeed, the impact of his work was so great that it is felt to this day, nearly nine centuries later. Just as Gautama Buddha and Šri Ramanuja were the products of the times in which they lived, so too Šri Basavešwara’s emergence as a saint, teacher and reformer was dictated by the condition of the society of his era. A tyrannical system of hierarchy of castes, creeds and rituals had swayed the Hindu society to such a state of decadence that it permitted a small selfish segment of the society to exploit the masses. The climate was ripe for an avatara purusha to correct the injustices meted out to the downtrodden and that avatar was none other than Šri Basavešwara. Šri Basavešwara was born in the year 1131 A.D. in a Shaiva Brahmin family which enjoyed all the benefits and advantages of high society of the time. His parents were staunch devotees of Nandiswara of Bagewadi; his brother was a saintly person and his sister was spiritually evolved As soon as Šri Basavešwara was born, a great saiva saint known as Jatavedamuni came to bless the child and initiated him to Siva or Ishta Linga worship. As a child Šri Basavešwara was keenly observing all the religious rituals performed by his parents, but was completely turned off by the empty and mechanical frame of mind in which these rituals were performed. He left home in protest and moved to Kudala Sangama where his mind found peace in the presence of Sangameswara and he became spiritually elevated as though in preparation for the larger mission for which he was born. At the age of 18 or 19, as directed by a divine call from Sangameswara, Šri Basavešwara left Kudala Sangama and moved to Mangalaveda where he came in contact with Bijjala of the Kalachuri family who was then the chief of the province under Chalukya rulers. Later, when Bijjala moved to Kalyana, so did Šri Basavešwara. Very soon his life’s mission was unfolding slowly. He brought about great socio-religious reforms including Saiva worship enabling the downtrodden masses to free themselves from the prevailing religious tyranny. His bhakti movement attracted great saints from other parts of the land. He condemned all religious barriers based on caste, creed and sex. He encouraged and practiced equality between men, women and dignity of labor. The collection of his sayings, known as vachanas, expounded his philosophy and his religion of Veerasaivism began to spread far and wide bringing solace to humanity. On the occasion of the Jayanti of this great saint may we all remember the importance of his message, Kayaka (honest work charged with spirituality) and Dasoha (selfless work) - chief among them, and receive his blessings.
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