Indian Antiquary Vol 51

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 11

JANUARY, 1922]
VACHANAS ATTRIBUTED TO BASAVA
VACHANAS ATTRIBUTED TO BASAVA. TRANSLATED BY RAO SAHIB P. G. HALKATTI, M.L.C.
[BASAVA was a leader of the Vira Saiva or Lingayat sect in the middle of the twelfth century, and probably was its founder. The sect has produced a large and varied literature, chiefly in Sanskrit, Kanarese and Telugu. The Vachanas are brief practical utterances in Kanarese prose, some expository, many hortatory, written by the early leaders. Rao Sahib P. G. Halkatti has translated a large number of those attributed to Basava into English. From these Dr. J. N. Farquhar has made a selection, and has prepared the MS. for the press. The sect is noteworthy in several respects. They are called Vira Saivas, because they are staunch Saivas, recognizing no god but Siva. They are called Lingayats, because each member of the sect wears a small linga in a reliquary hung from his neck, and uses this linga in his daily worship. The Jangama guru and the monastery play a great part in Lingayat life. Bhakti and morality are deeply emphasized in the practice of the sect. progress has six stages:
Spiritual
1. Bhakti
2. Mahesa
3. Prasâda
4. Prânalinga
5. Barana
6. Aikya
The Vachanas here translated, expounding, as they do, each of these stages in turn throw a good deal of light on the beliefs of the sect.
.. Devotion.
.. Divine Power.
.. Grace.
7
.. The Linga in the Life.
.. Self-surrender.
.. Oneness with Siva.
The question whether these Vachanas are actually the work of Basava or not has never been settled; and certainty can scarcely be attained until all the utterances attributed to him have been critically examined from the point of view of language as well as history. But there is one passage in these selections of special interest in relation to the question; for we can scarcely believe it to have been written by any one but Basava: see number 5, under Prasada. Further, the vigorous good sense and the fresh moral outlook of many of these utterances give the impression of a mind of originality and power such as the founder's must have been.]
State I: Bhakti: Devotion. A. Seek Liberation from Worldliness.
1. I appear in all the splendour of a full moon, but alas ! this Rahu of wordliness has encompassed and swallowed me up completely. To-day there has been an eclipse of my body. Oh, when shall I be released, O Kudalasangama Deva1?
2. Oh, when shall these worldly troubles cease? Oh, when shall I have realization? Oh, when will it be? When will it be, O Kudalasangama Deva? When shall I be in the highest joy? Oh, when shall I be?
3. Alas, like an oyster-shell in the sea, I am lying with my mouth opened. Oh, see there is no one but Thou that can'st know me. Behold, there is none else; only Thou can'st take me within Thee, O Kudalasangama Deva.
1 Sangama is the Sanskrit word for the point where two rivers meet. At Kudalasangama, in the Southern Maratha country, there is a temple to Siva. The author of these utterances addresses Biva as the God of this temple.