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Virasaivism

Virasaiva philosophy is only Sakti Visishtadvaita philosophy. It is a phase of Agamanta. It
underwent radical changes in the hands of Sri Basavanna and his colleagues. Basava was the Prime
Minister to a Jain king named Bijjala who ruled over Kalyan (1157-1167) which is sixty miles from
Gulbarga in Karnataka State.
Basavanna was a magnetic personality. He exercised tremendous influence over the people.
He held a spiritual conference. Three hundred Virasaiva saints assembled. There were sixty women
saints also. Akka Mahadevi, the illustrious lady saint was also present on that grand occasion.
Virasaivism became Lingayatism in the hands of Basava. Lingayatism is the special faith of the
Karnatic Virasaivas. Sharanas are the saints of the Lingayat faith or cult.
Virasaivism or Lingayatism shows the way to attain the Lakshya or Lord Siva. Lord Siva,
Lord Subrahmanya, king Rishabha, Santa Lingar, Kumara Devi, Sivaprakasa had all expounded
lucidly this system of philosophy. Viragama is the chief source for this system of philosophy. Those
who embrace this faith, live in great numbers in Karnataka.
Ordinary Saivites keep the Sivalinga in a box and worship it during the time of Puja. The
Lingayats keep a small Linga in a small silver or golden box and wear it on the body with the chain
attached to the box. Wearing the Linga on the body will remind one, of the Lord and help His
constant remembrance. The Christians wear the cross in the neck. This also has the same object in
view.
Sakti in Virasaiva philosophy is identical with Siva. Sakti works. Siva is the silent witness.
Siva is infinite, self-luminous, eternal, all-pervading. He is an ocean of peace. He is stupendous
silence. Siva illumines everything. He is all-full and self-contained. He is ever free and perfect. The
whole world is an expression of the Divine Will. In Virasaiva philosophy, the world movement is
not an illusion, but an integral play.