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Context

• On the occasion of the 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara's birth anniversary, the Prime Minister has paid tribute to him.

Who is Basaveshwara?

• Basaveshwara or Basavanna was a Shiva-focused Bhakti saint and social reformer in Karnataka in the 12th century.
• He was a politician, philosopher, poet, and Lingayat saint.
• The Kalyani Chalukya/Kalachuri dynasty ruled throughout his lifetime.
• He was active during both dynasties' reigns, although his influence peaked during King Bijjala II's reign in Karnataka, India.

Highlights

• Basava is said to be the creator of the Lingayats in tales and hagiographic literature.
• Basava was the poet-philosopher who revitalised, improved, and invigorated an already existent tradition, according to current research based on historical evidence such as the Kalachuri inscriptions.
• Basava's Lingayat theology was a type of qualified nondualism in which the individual Atman (soul) is God's body and there is no distinction between Shiva and Atman (self, soul).
• Basava's ideas are found in the Vedanta school, in a form more akin to Ramanuja, the 11th century Vishishtadvaita philosopher.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1822196

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