Linga Raju

Veerashaivism (Virasaivism) Linga Raju

Veerashaiva philosophy and practices existed prior to the reformation by the twelfth century Philosophers. The present day Veerashaivas are the followers of the philosophy and practices put forward by those Philosophers. In the twelfth century of Common Era, religion itself had deteriorated into another means of exploitation, perpetuating social inequality and ignorance of spiritual truth. Basavanna plunged into a movement to reform Veerashaivism from within. His efforts were mostly oriented in two directions - religion and society - and perhaps towards a closer approximation of the two. He saw no difference between rich and poor, and between man and woman; he saw no difference among different castes; and he embedded this principle of equality among all in the religion. He established an academy called Anubhava Mantapa where a large number of philosophers, mystics, scholars and seekers coming from all parts of the Indian subcontinent, would gather to participate in learned discussions on the highest ends of life. The philosophy and practices of this new religious faith have been documented in the vachanas. The vachana literature of Basavanna and his contemporary philosophers is the basic scripture. In the 15th century Veerashaiva scholars systematically collected the retrievable portions of the vachana literature, and compiled some of these vachanas into the form of a scripture known as Shunya Sampadane. The discourses at the Anubhava Mantapa that are narrated in the Shunya Sampadane have been incorporated into some of the articles in this book. These discourses, I believe, will give finer details of the philosophical aspects of Veerashaivism. Also the articles in this book have been presented in some sort of an order - Scripture, Philosophy, Practice, and other aspects of Veerashaivism. This type of presentation of the updated concepts of Veerashaivism, I believe, will enhance readability of this book.