Around 800 years ago, in medieval Karnataka, a sect known as Lingayat came into existence. The followers of the faith called Lingayats, worshipped Lord Shiva, in the form of Ishtalinga, as a formless, universal God. Often, the terms Lingayatism and Veerashaivism are used interchangeably. However, there is a small difference between the two. While Lingayats follow the teachings of saint and philosopher Basava, Veerashaivas study Vedic texts.
Basavanna is considered to be the founder of the sect, although there has been a debate around it for a long time. Though he was born into a Hindu Brahmin family, he actively questioned and opposed the cruel practices prevalent at that time, such as the caste system, gender discrimination, and child marriage. This led to the formation of the Lingayat movement. He also played an important role in the Bhakti movement, and his teachings were spread through vachanas or, short paragraphs written in Kannada. He was, what we can say in today’s times, a feminist. This attracted many followers from various socio-economic backgrounds to join the movement.
Saints like Channabasavanna, Allama Prabhu, and Akka Mahadevi played important roles in founding and propelling the sect further. The movement produced 33 women vachana poets, most of whom were from the so-called lower strata of the society.
PHILOSOPHY OF LINGAYATISM
Lingayats are called Shakti Vishishtadvaita. They believe in monotheism or one God and take Shiva, the supreme being, and the individual self to be the same. They follow Hindu Shaivite Agamas, as they reject the teachings of the polytheistic Vedas.
They wear a small blue-black stone called Ishtalinga, with a pendant on a necklace made up of rudraksha. The pendant represents Lord Shiva, and it is also used as part of worship during meditation and puja.
The Concept of Shoonya
The sect believes that the ultimate goal of human life is to attain the state of Shoonya, which means ‘nothingness’. In this state, as one merges with Para-Shiva, the individual identity completely diminishes. It is a feeling where one experiences absolute bliss and can only be experienced, not described.
Panchacharas
To attain such a blissful state, one needs to do his/her duty. The Lingayats devised five codes of conduct known as Panchacharas, which includes:
Lingachara - daily worship of the personal Sivalinga.
Sadachara - attention to vocation and duty.
Sivachara - acknowledging Shiva as the one God and equality among members.
Bhrityachara - humility towards all creatures.
Ganachara - defense of the community and its tenets.
Ashtavaranas
Alongside maintaining the right conduct, it is important to keep the mind pure. The Ashtavaranas are the eightfold rituals that protect the devotee from worldly desires and attachments. They include:
Guru - reverence towards Guru
Linga - wearing and worship of Linga
Jangama - worship of monks, who have surrendered the pleasures and luxuries of life, as a reincarnation of Shiva
Padodaka - holy water obtained from bathing the Linga or Guru's feet
Prasada - sacred offering
Vibhuti - holy ash created using cow dung
Rudraksha - holy beads
Mantra - recitation of the sacred mantra Om Namah Shivaya
Shatsthala
Shatsthala is made up of two words: ‘Shat’ means six and ‘Sthalas’ are paths/levels. It is a path consisting of six levels, which are essential for the attainment of the ultimate goal. The Shatsthalas are:
Bhakta Sthala - steadfast contemplation on Shiva
Maheshwara Sthala - selfless service
Prasadi Sthala - seeking Shiva's blessings
Pranalingi Sthala - seeing Shiva in all beings
Sharana Sthala - surrender or egoless
Aikya Sthala - oneness with Shiva
As one sincerely follows the path, each level brings the seeker closer to his or her goal. In the Aikya Sthala, the soul and God merge in a final state of eternal Shiva consciousness. Basavanna believed that the shatsthalas were to be practiced step by step. However, his nephew, Channabasavanna disagreed with his uncle. He believed that a soul can reach its salvation at any stage.
CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES
Lingadharane
It is a ceremony of initiation among the Lingat community. It is generally performed during the eighth month of pregnancy. The Guru performs a pooja and gives ishtalinga to the mother. The mother ties it to her ishtalinga till the child is born.
After the birth of the child, the child wears the ishtalinga. Between the ages of 8 to 11 years, the child receives Deeksha - knowledge of the correct procedure for performing the pooja. The ishtalinga is worn by a person throughout their life with the belief that God or Shiva resides in their heart.
This custom was started by Basavanna as an alternative to Upanayana. He was against Upanayana, and he did not undergo the initiation as it was a sexist custom. It allowed only males to participate in such ceremonies. On the other hand, lingadharane can be performed by anyone.
The Philosophy of Karma - Kayakave Kailasa
Kayaka means exertion of the body or Kaya, and Kailasa means heavenly abode of Shiva. It refers to the effort exerted by the body for the attainment of the liberation of the soul, which is trapped in the body. To attain liberation, one must perform their duties and actions without any expectations of results. The Lingayats believe that taking a dip in the Ganga washes away all sins.
Daasoha
Daasoha is the one who serves. As Basavanna served as a minister under King Bijjala, he preached that a Daasoha must consider himself/herself as a servant to society. One must give more than take as nothing really belongs to them. Basavanna encouraged the members of his community to practice Daasoha without any discrimination and reservation.
Comparison with Hinduism
While Lingayatism and Hinduism share many customs and traditions, Lingayats reject the authority of the Vedic scriptures and the practice of various social ills. In most communities in Hinduism, it is the male who is permitted to undergo Upanayanam, whereas in the Lingayat community anyone can perform Lingadharane. Basavanna’s progressive Bhakti movement did not accept Brahmanical ritualism and hierarchical casteism. While Hinduism converted workmanship into castes, Basavanna reversed the castes into workmanship again. He strived to give equal status to people, irrespective of where they came and their gender. He also refuted some orthodox social customs such as child marriage, and rejected idol worship. Basavanna spread the ideas of equality, freedom, rationality and brotherhood through his vachanas or short poems.
Today, Lingayatism has spread all over the world, especially to countries such as the United States, Britain and Australia. The Lingayat community has had considerable influence in the sphere of politics in Karnataka. The community has also built Mathas, hospitals, schools across India to provide education and medical aid to people irrespective of their social background. Despite being an ancient movement, it has set an example for the youth today. It has taught us how to not accept certain customs and rituals blindly, such as idol worship, caste and gender discrimination, and the stand up for what is right.
Author
Divya Balvally
Pratha Content Writer