27) Mahatma Basaveshwara of Karnataka (1134 – 1196A.D.): Honouring prominent saints and temples of India

Honouring prominent saints and temples of India:

Mahatma Basaveshwara of Karnataka (1134 – 1196 A.D.)

In 2006 , Reserve Bank of India, took out a five rupee coin in both cupro-nickel and Ferritic Stainless Steel (FSS) to honour the life and religious philosophy of Mahatma Basaveshwara of Karnataka.

Mahatma Basaveshwara or Basavanna was born in a well to do religious family in Bagewadi, in Bijapur District, in Karnataka (India) in 1134. He is remembered as a revolutionary saint in India, who was, also, a philosopher, religious teacher and a social reformer. At a very young age, he began to feel the divine presence of God everywhere and in all things. He felt that compassion is the main root of all the religions and he taught his followers to treat all the living things with kindness. He hated the idea of living for selfish and personal interests and, always believed that everyone should take up a fair and honest means of livelihood.

He decided to look beyond the orthodox teachings of the Brahmin family he was born into and approached the “Virasaiva Renukaradhya Mutt” (The ashram/school/centre of learning  of the Sage Renukaradhya ) situated on the banks of the river and embraced the Virasaiva school of thought.

He gave the religious thought  a wider accessibility by converting the Sanskrit literature "Siddantha Sikamani" (The holy book of Virasaiva written by one of the “Panch Peetha” (five centres or seats) saints ( It is believed that apart from the sage Renukaradhya’s mutt, four other seats of learning or schools run by saints of equal caliber, all teaching the Virasaiva school of religious thought were in existence at that time, headed by the Sages Dharukardhya, Ekoramardhya, Somanathardhya, Viswardhya. These five centres of Virasaiva religious thought learning were called the “Panch Peeth” – five seats), into the regional language Kannada of Karnataka in 12th century (much like Martin Luther did in Germany, who came 300 years after him).  He was mainly responsible for reviving considerable interest in the Virasaiva religion in 12th Century that was founded by the above-named “Panchacharyas” (five teachers).

He became the Prime Minister of King Bijjala (who ruled from 1157 to 1167 over Kalyan).   While he wielded temporal power in his capacity as Prime Minister, yet, he had a spiritual bent of mind. As a Prime Minister, he worked hard to raise levels of morality in public life. He wanted administrators to show exemplary conduct while discharging their duties.  He stood against ritualism and social rigidities and for a more humane social order and worked to establish a classless and casteless society.

He believed that” work is worship” and that, adhering to the right conduct was a pathway to the divine. In one of his hymns, he stressed the significance of labour for attaining perfection in the sphere of spirituality. He was a social reformer and taught the masses the ideals of simple living and the equality of all men. He spread easily comprehensible philosophical teachings throughout his life and was a proponent of the monotheistic concept of formless God.

He proclaimed that all members of the state are labourers; some were intellectual labourers while others were manual labourers. 

He is also called “Vishwa Guru” (World Teacher) and Bhakti-Bhandari (One who possesses a limitless store of Devotion to God) .

His teachings go beyond all boundaries and are universal and eternal. Basava advocated a new way of life, giving equal opportunity to all aspirants regardless of the gender, caste, and social status.While Hinduism differentiated people based on birth, Basava offered equal status to all.

An important cause that Basaveshwara espoused was according equal status of women, long before modern societies focused attention towards this aspect.Basavanna's path and teachings, later, gave birth to a new philosophy called “Lingayatism” 

 As a result, large numbers of different caste people took “Linga-Deeksha” and became Lingayata. Even practitioners of the “Virasaiva” school of religious faith, embraced Basaveshwara’s philosophy of Lingayatism.  His philosophy became popular all over the Southern Kalachuri Empire in South India and he was revered as a “sant” (saint).

Anubhava Mantapa : He established an academy  of saints, philosophers and mystics called the “Anubhava Mantapa” which stood for social, spiritual and economic  democracy and was dedicated to awakening the consciousness of the people. People from all walks of life embraced Basava's thoughts and became Lingayats.

He embraced “nirvana” (eternal peace) at Kudala Sangama, in Bangalkot on 30.7.1196 A.D. where his Samadhi (memorial) is located.

The obverse of five rupee Ferritic Stainless steel (FSS coin) issued in 2006 showing the Lion Capital in the Centre of the coin, together with the words , “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth always Prevails) below it. The words “Bharat” and “Rupiye” in Hindi are on one side and “India” and “Rupees” in English on the other side. Below the Lion Capital is the numeral “5” indicating the denomination of the coin.

On the Reverse is a portrait of Mahatma Basaveswara. His name is mentioned in Hindi on the left and right periphery of his portrait. At the bottom are the words which convey the essence of Basaveshwara’s teachings:

 “Bhakti – Kayak – Dashoha – Samata”  

1)       “Bhakti” means through “Devotion” towards God as well as one’s cause.

2)       “Kayak” or “Kaayak” (comes from the generic term Kaya – meaning “Body” and “Kayak” means “of the Body”). Here it stands for “exertion of the Body for the liberation of the soul imprisoned within it”.

3)       “Dashoha” or “Daasoha” means “one who serves”.  Basaveshwar abhorred all feudalistic and hierarchical divisions in the society in his times and sought to remove all distinctions. He believed in a casteless and classless society. Although he served as a Minister under King Bijjala, he considered himself a servant of the society.  Thus for the Lingayats, this term stands for the principle “What belongs to God must be returned to him” and “what came from Society, must be given back through selfless service”. In other words “Be selfless (Daasa Aham) rather than selfish (Naanu or Aham)”.

4)      “Samata” means that, as everyone was created equal by God one should believe in the equality and brotherhood of all human beings.

This coin was minted at Mumbai mint. Notice the “diamond “mint mark at the extreme bottom side of the coin. There is no place left for mentioning the year of issue which is actually 2006.

Links to other articles on coins issued on Prominent saints and temples of India:  1) 25 Years of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board 2) Lord Mahavir: 24th Teerthankar of Jainism 3) Sant Thiruvalluvar 4) Celebrating 1000 years of Brihadeeshwarar Temple 5) Mother Teresa   6) Jagathguru Sree Narayana Gurudev 7) Mahatma Basaveshwara 8)   Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram 9) Swami Chinmayananda : Celebrating his Birth Centenary: A Rs.10/- coin issued by the Hyderabad Mint  10) Commemorating the Birth Centenary of Acharya Tulsi of Jainism by issuing a Rs.20/- coin  Other interesting posts on Christian Saints, Churches, priests and the Pope: 1) The inspiring story of Saint Teresa : 2) Saint Alphonsa: The first Catholic Woman Saint of India  3) Pope Francis: 80th Birthday on 17.12.2016: 6 Commemorative coins issued by Cook Islands  4) Christ Church Fort Teppakulam, Trichirapalli  5) St. Joan of Arc: The patron Saint of France  6) Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregarious Centenary Celebrations 7) Bicentenary of the Old Seminary in Kottayam