Veerashaiva

Veerashaivism is a sect within the Shaivism fold of Hinduism. According to tradition, it was transmitted by Panchacharyas, (Kannada: ಪಂಚಾಚಾರ್ಯರು, romanized: paṃcācāraya from Sanskrit: पञ्चाचार्य, romanized: pañcācārya), or five acharyas: Renukacharya, Darukacharya, Ekorama, Panditharadhya, Vishwaradhya, and first taught by Renukacharya to Agastya, a Vedic seer. The preachings of Jagadguru Renukacharya Bhagavadpada to rishi Agastya is recorded in the form of a book, Shri Siddhantha Shikhamani, which is regarded as an important holy book for the Veerashaivas. This text is likely an 8th century work, and it likely contains the earliest reference to Veerashaivism in literature.^[1]

Veershaivas commonly carry titles like Appa, Rao, Desai and so forth. Title of 'Prataprao' was given to Desai Mallasarja by Bajirao Peshwa for his bravery.^[2][3]

Guru lineage

A small manuscript named Vira-Saiva-Guru-Parampara details the following guru lineage for Veerashaivism in order of priority: Visvesvara Guru, Ekorama, Viresaradhya, Virabhadra, Viranaradhya, Manikyaradhya, Buccayyaradhya, Vira Mallesvaradhya, Desikaradhya, Vrsabha, Aksaka, and Mukha Lingesvara.^[1] Viranaradhya is the father of the 18th-century Telugu Veerashaivite acharya Mulugu Papayaradhya.^[4]

In the Virasaiva Agama, it is mentioned that in four main pontiff seats (Yoga Peetha, Maha Peetha, Jnana Peetha, and Soma Peetha), there are four gurus of different priority: Revana, Marula, Vamadeva, and Panditaradhya.^[1]

Panchacharyas

According to tradition, the Panchacharyas arose out of five great Sthavaralingas^[5] located in Veerasimhasana of Rambhapuri in Balehonnuru (Karnataka), Ujjain in Madhyapradesh, Kedar in Uttarakhand, Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, and Kashi or Banaras in Uttar Pradesh under different names in different Yugas. The Panchacharyas established five peethas, which play an important role in Veerashaiva.^[6]

The five peethas of Veerashaiva

• Veerasimhasana of Rambhapuri in Balehonnuru (Karnataka)
• Saddharma Shimhasana of (Ujjain) (Madhyapradesh) later moved to Ujjini (Karnataka)
• Vairagya Shimhasana of Kedar (Uttarakhand)
• Surya Shimhasana of Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) and
• Jnana Shimhasana of Kasi (Uttar Pradesh) ^[7]

Peethas

Veerashaivism is continued to this day and is preserved and transmitted by five peethas (Rambhapuri, Ujjaini, Kedar, Shreeshail, Kashi), who play an essential role in the Veerashaiva tradition.^[8]

Philosophy

The philosophy of Veerashaivism is explained in Siddhanta Shikhamani. While the Veerashaiva-tradition incorporates Vedic elements, the origin of panchacharyas has been explained in Sivagamas, especially in Svayambhuva Agama, Suprabhedagama and Viragama. The earlier portions of Agama literature are the fundamental source of Saiva religion, while the latter portions are of special importance to Veerashaivism. However, Veerashaivism differs from Agamic Shaivism and Pasupata Shaivism in its philosophy, in its doctrine of sthala, in the special kind of lingadharana, and in certain ritualistic elements.^[1][9][10]

Historical Rulers

• Kittur Chennamma (1778–1829)^[11] – queen of the princely state of Kitturu, Karnataka; fought against Doctrine of lapse
• Belawadi Mallamma^[12]
• Haleri Kings – of Madikeri^[13]
• Linga Rajendra II – Haleri king of Kodagu^[14]
• Chikka Virarajendra – last ruler of Madikeri
• Keladi Nayaka Kingdom^[15][16]
• Keladi Chennamma^[17]
• Shivappa Nayaka^[18]
• Ramaraja Chattrapati (1514 CE) – King of Anjanvela Suru.^[19]
• Kalinga Magan (1215 CE) – King of Aryachakravarti dynasty and Veersaiva Pandaram by caste.

See also

• Veershaiv Lingayat Vani community of Maharshtra.

• Jangam

References

1. Dasgupta (2 January 1955). A History of Indian Philosophy: Volume 5. Cambridge University Press. pp. 46–47. ISBN 978-0-521-04782-1.
2. Singh, K. S. (1996). Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-0-19-563357-3.
3. Naikar, Basavaraj (17 October 2016). The Queen of Kittur: A Historical Novel. Partridge Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4828-8619-1.
4. Śrīrāmamūrti, Pōcañcarla (1972). Contribution of Andhra to Sanskrit Literature. Andhra University. p. 163.
5. Veerashaivism in India. Sadhana Book Stall. 22 January 1995.
6. eGangotri. Shri Jagadguru Panchacharya Vijay ( Marathi) Shaiva Bharati Shodha Pratishthan.
7. Patil, Shankaragouda Hanamantagouda (2002). Community Dominance and Political Modernisation: The Lingayats. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-867-9.
8. Burghart, Richard; Cantlie, Audrey (1985). Indian Religion. Curzon Press. ISBN 978-0-7007-0168-1.
9. Social Structure of the Veerashaiva Saints: Principles of Veerashaivism. M. Manjappa Hardekar. 1990.
10. Ghugare, Suryakant Balasaheb (1995). Veerashaivism in India. Sadhana Book Stall.
11. DHNS. "Lingayats asked to work for progress of all groups". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
12. Naikar, Basavaraj S. (2001). The Rebellious Rani of Belavadi and Other Stories. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 978-81-269-0127-2.
13. DHNS. "On the Haleri trail". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
14. Bopanna, P. T. (1 February 2022). My Coorg Chronicles. Rolling Stone Publications. ISBN 978-93-85741-00-5.
15. Michell, George (17 August 1995). Architecture and Art of Southern India: Vijayanagara and the Successor States 1350-1750. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-44110-0.
16. "The Journal of Karnatak University: Social Sciences". www.google.co.in. 1975. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
17. Malwad, Shantadevi; Litent (1 January 2014). Keladi Chennamma. Litent.
18. Shastry, Bhagamandala Seetharama (2000). Goa-Kanara Portuguese Relations, 1498-1763. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-7022-848-6.
19. Guha, Sumit (2009). "The Frontiers of Memory: What the Marathas Remembered of Vijayanagara". Modern Asian Studies. 43 (1): 269–288. doi:10.1017/S0026749X07003307. ISSN 0026-749X. JSTOR 20488079.