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There are no Veerashaivas in Karnataka, all are Lingayats say seers

  • In the State only Lingayats live, majority of population in Andhra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are Veerashaivas.
  • Veerashaivas  have Shakti Vishishtadvaita philosophy and is propagated in Veda, Agama, Upanishads.
  • Though the words are different Lingayat and Veerashaiva are one community.
  • Sharanas did not establish a new religion or a mutt,  everyone must unite not divide.
There are no Veerashaivas in Karnataka all are Lingayaths say seers
Author
Bengaluru, First Published Jul 27, 2017, 1:53 PM IST

Right on the heels of demand to declare Lingayat as an independent religion, another debate has erupted regarding who are Lingayats and who are Veerashaivas, whether they are one and the same or different. Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peetha seer Basava Mruthyunjaya Swami has said that in Karnataka only Lingayats live and majority of population in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are Veerashaivas. The Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha has also affirmed the same sentiments, reported Kannada Prabha.

However, Rambhapuri mutt of Balehonnur Prasanna Renuka Veera Someshwara Raja Deshikendra Shivacharya Swami has said that similar to Dvaita, Advaitha and Vishishtadvaita philosophies, the Veerashaivas also have Shakti Vishishtadvaita philosophy and Veerashaiva religion is propagated in Veda, Agama and Upanishads.

Both the seers spoke to newspersons on different occasions and the contradicting statements are confusing.  Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami said earlier the Veerashaivas had submitted appeal to consider theirs as a separate religion but it was rejected owing to considering it as a part of elitist Brahmin sect. Hence now, the appeal has been submitted by Lingayats. The other points he raised are:

  • Veerashaiva and Lingayat are two different sects. Lingayats live in Karnataka. Veerashaivas live in Kerala, Andhra and Tamil Nadu. However all should unite under one umbrella.
  • The Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha had twice made attempts to get declared as a separate religion and both the times it was rejected. Now, Lingayats are making attempts, it may succeed in future. From British times Lingayat and Veerashaiva are being used as synonyms. But first it must be seen as two separate entities.  Seers of both mutts must cooperate and not think negative.
  • This is the right time to declare Lingayat as a separate religion and all political and religious leaders must strive in unison. Though the words are different Lingayat and Veerashaiva are one community.
  • All 79 sub-castes under Lingayats must come together and unite. It is his personal decision to support separate religion and there is no political gain.  It is a demand of the oppressed and a matter of pride. The political leaders must not attempt to divert benefits that could be obtained by declaring Lingayat as a separate religion.
  • This is a golden opportunity for political leaders to repay the debts to their community.  Former CM B S Yeddyurappa must make sincere attempts to  get the State Government’s recommendation come true. Just because it is recommended by Congress there is no need to consider it negative.

The statements issued by Rambhapuri Swami are:

  • Veerashaiva religion has been propagating the welfare of all communities and it must not be corrupted by selfish motives. Similar to Dvaita, Advaita and Vishishtadvaita in Veerashaivas also there are Shakti Vishishtadvaita dharma. Worship of Shiva is primary to Veerashaivas, which is propagated in Veda, Agama and Umanishat.
  • Veerashaiva is a reciter term and Lingayat is a word derived from sacrament. Basavanna was attracted by Veerashaiva values and it is true that he was ordained by Shiva Deeksha. Sharanas did not establish a new religion or a mutt. It is not good to instigate a divide between Veerashaiva and Lingayat.  It is difficult to establish and nurture a religion but very easy to destroy it.
  • Over 40 sharanas have used the word Veerashaiva in over 143 vachanas. Only those who have not understood the philosophy of Veerashaiva religion are attempting to break it.  In 1904 late Hanagalla Kumaraswamy had very clearly stated his opinion at the convention of Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha at Dharawada.
  • The committee set up the State Government comprising Ministers Basavaraja Rayareddy, Eshwara Khandre, M B Patil, Vinaya Kulakarni and Dr Sharana Prakasha Patil should be condemned. It has been formed to divide Veerashaiva and Lingayat.  The Veersashaiva Mahasabha must wake up and be cautious towards those who are indulging in anti religious acts.

 A meeting has been called on August at Kudalasangama by Panchamasali Peetha seer Basava Mruthyunjaya Swami inviting all sects.  He quoted Sikh religion which went through similar dispute and finally resolved the issue by discussing.  He said Pejavara Swami may have studied Lingayata religion but he is not aware of the pains of  Linagayat community.

 

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