Speaking Of Basava

This book, based on a variety of source material, including Basava's own compositions (vacanas), addresses the neglected sociological task of description and analysis of Basava's innovative role in founding Lingayatism, focusing on the medieval Karnataka.

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The bulk of the literature on Basava and Lingayatism incorporates both the Brahman and Bhakti movements. To do this is to lose sight of innovations that Basava introduced in reaction to his Brahman-dominated environment. Also, to look at Lingayatism as a direct linear descendant of the Hindu tradition is to ignore the revolutionary thrust of Lingayatism in its origin in the twelfth century A.O. and its continuing dynamism in the subsequent centuries.