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Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India. The adherents of this faith are known as Lingayats or Veerashaivas. The term is derived from Lingavantha in Kannada. This religion represents a reform movement attributed to Basavanna and others in the 12th century. History and Origin The history of the Lingayat faith goes back to the Basavanna(1105 - 1167 AD) of the 12th century. It is said that Basavanna, though born a Brahmin rebelled against the rigid practices of the caste system then prevalent and eventually began expounding his own theosophy 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 what is now Karnataka State. This movement found its roots during the brief rule of the southern Kalachuri dynasty in those parts of the state. Some believers believe that Basavanna is an incarnation of Nandi, Shiva's greatest devotee. Some scholars however, maintain that Basavanna only brought about a renaissance in an already existing sect. They attribute the founding of the sect to the Panchacharyas. The Panchacharyas or the 'Five Prophets' consisted of Sri Revanaradhya or Revanasiddha, Marularadhya or Marulasidhdha, Ekoramaradhaya or Ekorama, Panditaradhya and Vishwaradhya. This theory however, does not have many takers nor is not supported by historic evidence. Nonetheless, Basavanna is widely held as having founded this sect. Basavanna Lingayat Theosophy Lingayats believe in a monotheistic world where Shiva the supreme God and self are one and the same. This form of monotheism is called ''Shakti Vishishtadvaita''. However, unlike other Hindus, Lingayats reject the Vedas but rather focus more on the Hindu Agamas, specifically, the Shaivite Agamas. Some Lingayats view the Vedas to be polytheistic in nature while the Agamas are held as being strictly monotheistic and devotional in nature. Veera Shaivism's means of attainment depends on the concepts of Pancha& Panchacharas:The Panchacharas describe the five modes of conduct to be followed by the believer. The Ashtavaranas shield the devotee from extraneous distraction and worldly attachments. The Shatsthala refers to the different levels of attainment that the devotee can achieve. to protect the body as the abode of the Lord. The Panchachara or the five modes of conduct of: Ashtavarana:The eight protections or the Ashtavarana include: Guru, Linga, Jangama (wandering monk), Pāduka (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: Concept of God The concept of God in Veerashaivism is very interesting and its synthesis is even more fascinating. The Istalinga worn by the Veerashaivas on their body is technically a miniature of the Sthavaralinga worshipped in the temples. The Sthavaralinga is also known as Shivalinga and it is considered to be an amorphous representation of Shiva. Ishta-linga: Concept of Shoonya Please expand this section. Concept of Anubhava Mantapa and Sharanaarthi Please expand this section. Lingayat symbolism Please expand this section. Scriptures Lingayat customs and practices The Istalinga is made up of light gray slate stone coated with fine durable thick black paste of cow dung ashes mixed with some suitable oil to withstand wear and tear. Sometime it is made up of ashes mixed with clarified butter. In any event, the coating is called Kanti (covering). The most intriguing question arises whether Istalinga is as much an image as a Sthavaralinga and its worship is as much as image worship of Sthavaralinga. Istalinga is not an image or Pratika of Shiva and the worship is not Pratikopamana. It is Shiva himself and its worship is Ahangrahopasana. For them it is formless representation of God. Lingayat thus means the wearer of this Linga as Ishta Linga. Here the word Ishta is again a sanskrit term meaning adored or desired. Unlike followers of Advaita, Lingayats believe that the linga is their God and not a representation that aids to realizing God. Lingayats do not believe in idol worship like other Hindus. The Linga is made of a soft stone and is covered with 'Kanthi' (black material derived from burnt ashes and camphor). Usually guru provides Linga to a new born baby in its original form before applying Kanthi. This is the first ceremony for any Veerashaiva. The Linga is carried inside a small silver box and wooden box or cloth. The silver box is worn on the chest or around the body using a thread. Upon death the Lingayats are buried (unlike other Hindus who cremate) in a Dhyana mudra (meditating position) with their Ishta Linga in their left hand. Ishta-linga (the universal form representing Lord Siva) is worn on the body; and is regularly worshipped. By leading noble life and dedicated service, one can attain the liberation. Lingayats do not consider linga to be a phallic form. They consider linga to be a combination of self and universe around that makes Shiva. Their meditation involves concentration on linga and chanting OM NAMAH SHIVAYA by means of which their soul merges with Linga and they attain Linga Aykya or Jeevan Mukti (or salvation). Veerashaiva literature Veerashaiva Mathas and Mathadipathis Historically there are 5 mathas known as pancha peeTas. Please expand this section. Lingayat demographics Please expand this section Lingayats and social work The Lingayat community has been very active in the field of imparting free education. Thousands of schools are run by local mathas, where free education, many a times with boarding facilities is provided to students of all sections of Hinduism. In modern days also, several of the major educational institutes are run by them. Lingayats represent a unique experiment in India basically to uplift people of SC/ST origin, Lingayats today count themselves among forwards castes because of the unique Kayaka tatva they follow. Kaayakave Kailasa meaning Work is Worship was infact a vachana following the karma bhoomi siddhantha of the south Indians then.It is said that as many of 10-20 brahmin families also converted to Lingayats during it formation.Even its well known that Basavanna removed the sacred thread and refused to be called a Brahmin just because his father was called a Brahmin - a thing still prevalent among superstitious Brahmins of India thus removing real meaning of Brahman - one who has Brahma gnaana - total knowledge. Famous Lingayats Please expand this section Shivraj Patil(Present Home Minister) B D Jatti(Former Vice President and CM of Karnataka) S Nijalingappa(Former CM of Karnataka) Basavaraj Rajguru(One of the best Classical Music Masters of Karnataka) Mallikarjun Mansur(Great Classical Musician) B S Yediyurappa(Present Dy. CM of Karnataka) Baba Kalyani(Promoter of Bharat Forge) See also | |||||||
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