Sri Basava Purana Mahathmyam

 

 

Lord Basavanna

 

SRI BASAVA PURANA MAHATHMYAM

INTRODUCTION

The Basava Purana is a devotional poem written in praise of Lord Basavanna, an incarnation of Lord Nandeeswara, and it was written during the 13th century AD, by Palkuriki Somanatha in Telugu language. It is considered as a sacred text by the Lingayat sect of people. Lingayats used to worship Lord Basava as their Ishta Deva, and in most of the houses of the Lingayat people, a framed or laminated picture of Basavanna, and a copy of the Basava Purana can be seen.

This sacred poem contains the life history of the social reformer and the staunch Shiva Devotee Basava (1134–1196), who was the founder of the Lingayat sect. He is called by various other names such as Basavanna, Basavaiya, Basavaswamy, Basavaeswara and Basavaraja. This text also contains the details of various other Lingayat saints, and their teachings. In this poem, Somanatha adopted a simple style and it ALSO consists of various devotional songs on Lord Shiva. During the 14th century AD, it was translated into Kannada language by the popular poet Bhima Kavi. In the Basava Purana, the birth of Basavanna, his young age, the establishment of the Lingayat sect, meetings held by him in the religious hall, which is also popularly known as Anubhava Mandapa, are mentioned. The details about his literary works, his interest in women’s empowerment, raising the standard of living of the poor and down trodden people, Shiva bhakti, caste and gender equality, are also mentioned in this holy text.

Basava Purana is published widely in Karnataka and it was read by millions and millions of the followers of Lord Basavanna. We can also keep a copy of the Basava Purana in our homes, since it must be considered as a holy text by us, which describes the significance of Basavanna. Since this Purana was written in a simple manner, even a layman can read it delightfully.

“OM SRI BASAVANNA NAMAHA”

WRITTEN BY

R.HARISHANKAR