Allegoric Vachanas of Allama Prabhu – By Ashwini Surpur
Ashwini Surpur Cupertino, CA; Email: ashwini.surpur@gmail.com The establishment of Anubhava Mantapa – the philosophical learning and discussion center – by Basavanna in the 12th century invited many yogis, intellectuals and spiritual giants from various corners of India, including Kashmir – the center for Shaivism in those days. But the crowning glory of Anubhava Mantapa was Allama […]
Vachana Literature By: Chinmay Surpur
The vachana literature heavily influenced the 12th century bhakti movement led by Basavanna. Vachanas written by sharanas brought awareness to many people about the simplicity of life and religion. These vachanas also inspired many people to follow Dharma (righteousness) and to give up superstitions. There were millions of vachanas, but many of them were […]
“Birth of the universe” By Vishwanand Pattanshetty
How did this universe come into existence? People have pondered this question for a long time. There have been many theories put forward and many discredited. Science is forging forward with more and more answers to questions that were once enigmatic. I want to talk about my favorite vachanakara from the 12th century Allama prabhu’s […]
kaayakavE kailaasa: By Rajesh Goudar, Santa Clara, California
‘KaayakavE Kailaasa’ loses some of its meaning when translated as ‘Work is Worship.’ One of the biggest gifts of Basavanna and Shiva Sharanas to the world is the concept of kaayakavE Kailaasa (Kannada: ಕಾಯಕವೇ ಕೈಲಾಸ). The two words that make up this phrase have a deep meaning by themselves, while the sum total is much […]
Lord Krishna has come back empty-handed. By Mohini V
Lord Krishna has come back empty-handed. The negotiations he had had with Kauravas have failed. Duryodhana had thundered that his cousins Pandavas would not get land worth the size of five needles, let alone five villages. The kingdom was out of question. Thirteen years ago, in a reckless gambling binge, Pandavas has lost all that […]
Anna Hazare and Anna Basavanna: By Ashwini Surpur, Cupertino
“Just as a large number of small waves create a big wave, the effects of karma accumulate to form tendencies, an aggregation of which in a personality, we call character” – says Swami Vivekananda. Anna Hazare is such an aggregation. But even bigger aggregation is the set of the corrupt government and corrupt people of […]