KANNADA
Reformist movement
V. GOPALAKRISHNA
VACHANA SANSKRUTI: Basavaraj Sabarad; Pallavi Prakashana, Gulbarga-585106. Rs. 180.
CONSIDERED AS the canon of Veerasaivism the Vachana literature brought in a revolutionary fervour to the religio-social movement in the 12th century A.D. Started by the famous philosopher-saints like Basavanna and his followers the movement gradually began to change the cultural aura all over Karnataka and later spread to other parts of South India.
The author under 16 captions in this book critically analyses the impact of Vachanas on several aspects of culture like religion, mysticism, social life, language and literature. Also the author throws light on how despite an overall change in the socio-political situation over the years the essence of Vachanas holds valid in the present context by illustrating many relevant ones. Modern concepts like Dalit consciousness, aggressive attitude of the developed nations, social justice, sub-cultures and Navya literature are a few among them.
The teachings through Vachanas appealed to spiritual seekers. They enunciated Kayaka, the divinity of labour, as the supreme way for attaining liberation by which evaluation of the worth of men changed. They preached that there was nothing high or low in the occupation. They propagated faith in one God, crusade against superstition, status of women and equality of all religions. Attracted by these principles people began to change their attitude towards their fellowmen. How a cultural transformation took shape in society is succinct and crisp all through the pages.
A welcome addition to the study of Vachanas.
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