Basava Jayanthi 2023
Basava Jayanthi is an annual festival celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the 12th-century poet, philosopher, and social reformer Basavanna, who is considered the founding father of the Lingayat sect. Basava Jayanthi is celebrated on the third day of the Vaisakha month, according to the Hindu lunar calendar, which usually falls in April or May. In 2023, Basava Jayanthi will be celebrated on May 2nd.
Life and Works of Basavanna:
Basavanna was born in a small village called Bagevadi, in the present-day Bijapur district of Karnataka. He was born to a Brahmin family and was initially trained as a minister in the court of the king of Kalyana. However, he left his job and became a wandering monk, preaching his philosophy of social equality and spiritual liberation.
Basavanna is best known for his Vachanas, a collection of poems in the Kannada language that are considered a landmark in Kannada literature. The Vachanas are written in a simple, colloquial style and are filled with metaphors and allegories. They are considered to be one of the earliest examples of a literary genre called Akhyanas, which were popular in medieval India.
Basavanna's philosophy was based on the idea of "Kayakave Kailasa" which means "work is worship". He believed that every human being has the potential for spiritual enlightenment and that one could attain it by working hard and serving others. He also advocated for the equality of all human beings and rejected the caste system. Basavanna's teachings have had a profound influence on the Lingayat community and have contributed to the development of a unique socio-religious identity for them.
Celebration of Basava Jayanthi:
Basava Jayanthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Lingayat community, particularly in Karnataka. The celebrations typically involve processions, cultural programs, and lectures on Basavanna's life and teachings. Many Lingayat households also organize special prayers and rituals on this day.
One of the most important aspects of Basava Jayanthi is the distribution of holy water from the river Krishna, which is considered a sacred ritual among the Lingayats. This holy water is believed to have the power to purify the body and soul.
Conclusion:
Basava Jayanthi is a celebration of the life and teachings of a great philosopher and social reformer. Basavanna's teachings of social equality, spiritual liberation, and the importance of hard work continue to inspire people to this day. As we celebrate Basava Jayanthi in 2023, let us remember his message of love, peace, and harmony and strive to create a world where all human beings are treated with dignity and respect.
About basavanna
Basava, also known as Basavanna or Basaveshwara, was a 12th-century Indian philosopher, social reformer, and poet who lived in the state of Karnataka in South India. Basava's teachings, which were based on the principles of equality, social justice, and spiritual enlightenment, continue to influence the people of Karnataka and the Lingayat community in particular.
Basava was born into a Brahmin family in 1131 AD in the town of Bagevadi in Karnataka. He was educated in Sanskrit and was trained as a minister in the court of the Kalyani Chalukya king. However, he left his job and became a wandering monk, preaching his philosophy of social equality and spiritual liberation to people of all castes and creeds.
Basava's teachings were based on the principles of Kayakave Kailasa, which means "work is worship". He believed that every human being had the potential to attain spiritual enlightenment and that one could attain it through hard work, devotion, and service to others. Basava rejected the caste system, which was prevalent in India at the time, and advocated for the equality of all human beings.
Basava's teachings were recorded in a collection of poems called Vachanas, which were written in the Kannada language. The Vachanas were written in a simple, colloquial style and were meant to be easily understood by the common people. They were filled with metaphors and allegories and were meant to convey Basava's message of social equality, spiritual liberation, and the importance of hard work.
One of Basava's most famous Vachanas is "Kayakave Kailasa", which has become a mantra for the Lingayat community. The Vachana begins with the words "Kayakave Kailasa, Arivu hage mukti" which means "work is worship, knowledge is liberation". This Vachana emphasizes the importance of hard work and knowledge in attaining spiritual liberation.
Another famous Vachana of Basava is "Basava Vachana Deepthi" which means "The light of Basava's words". This Vachana describes the power and influence of Basava's words and how they can light up the lives of people.
Basava's teachings continue to inspire people to this day, and his message of social equality, spiritual liberation, and the importance of hard work is relevant even in modern times. The Lingayat community, which considers Basava as their founding father, continues to celebrate his life and teachings through various festivals and rituals. Basava's legacy is an important part of Karnataka's cultural and social identity and continues to be a source of inspiration for generations to come.