What is the news : Prime Minister greeted the people of India on the eve of Basava Jayanti on 14 May 2021

About: Basava Jayanthi is an annual event celebrated in the honour of the birth of Vishwaguru Basaveshwara, the 12th century philosopher and social reformer who gave a unique spiritual path to mankind.

Key Points

• Basaveshwara was born in Bagevadi (of undivided Bijapur district in Karnataka) during 1131 AD. He is the founding saint of the Lingayat sect.
• His spiritual discipline was based on the principles of Arivu (true knowledge), Achara (right conduct), and Anubhava (divine experience) and it brought social, religious and economical revolution in the 12th century.
• He wrote vachanas to guide society with pen name KOODALASANGAMADEVA, the deity he worshipped till death.
• This path advocates a holistic approach of Lingangayoga (union with the divine). This comprehensive discipline encompasses bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge), and kriye (action) in a well-balanced manner.
• In Kalyana, the Kalchuri king Bijjala (1157-1167, AD) appointed Basaveshwara as a karanika (Accountant) in the initial stage, in his court and later as the Prime minister.
• Here, Basaveshwara revolted against all the social evils of the traditionalistic society and brought a drastic change in various facets.
• There must be an equal income for equal work.His practical approach and act of establishment of ‘Kalyana Rajya’ (Welfare state) brought a new status and position for all the citizens of the society, irrespective of class, caste, creed and sex.

• Basaveshwara gave two more very important socio-economic principles. They are:
  • Kayaka (Divine work): According to this, every individual of the society should take up the job of his choice and perform it with all sincerity.
  • Dasoha (Equal distribution):

1. The worker (Kayakajeevi) may lead his day-today life by his hard earned income. But he should not preserve the money or property for tomorrow. He must utilise the surplus money for the society and poors.

Anubhava Mantapa:

• Basaveshwara established the Anubhava Mantapa, which was a common forum for all to discuss the prevailing problems of socio, economic and political strata including religious and spiritual principles along with personal problems.
• Thus, it was the first and foremost Parliament of India, where Sharanas (citizens of welfare society) sat together and discussed the socialistic principles of a Democratic set up.
• All those discussions of Sharanas were written in the form of Vachanas.
• Vachanas were an innovative literary form written in simple Kannada language.