Basava Jayanthi

Basava Jayanthi is the most important festival of the Lingayats. It marks the birthday of Basavanna, the founding saint of the Lingayat faith. It is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety all over Karnataka.

Basavanna lived in 12th century. He has written many vachanas. Below are few of them.

Kalabeda, kola beda, husiya nidiyalu bedaMuniya beda, anyarige asahya padabedaThanna bannisabeda, idira aliyalu bedaIde antaranga shuddhi, ide bahiranga shuddhiIde namma koodala sangananolisuva pari.

Translation in English:

Don't rob, Don't kill, Never ever lieDon't get angry, Don't think negative about othersDon't self describe, Don't tease othersThis is the way of self respect, this is the way to get respected by the world.This is the way of impressing my lord Koodala sangam deva.

Ullavaru shivalayava maaduvaru nanenu madali badavanayyaenna kale kamba dehave degula shirave honna kalasavayyakoodala sangamadeva kelayya sthavarkkalivuntu jangakkalivilla

Translation in English:

The rich will make temples for Shiva. What shall I, a poor man, do?My legs are pillars, The body the shrine, The head a cupola of gold.Listen, O lord Kudal Sangama deva, things standing shall fall, but the moving ever shall stay.




Read More