Speaking Of Basava: Lingayat Religion And Culture In South Asia

by K. Ishwaran, K Ishwaran

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367288556
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/13/2019
Pages:	263
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

K. Ishwaran is a Professor of Sociology at York University.

Table of Contents

Preface — 1. Introduction: The Context and the Theme — 2. Sources — 3. The Historical Context — 4. The Story of Basava — 5. Not an Off-shoot of Hinduism, but a New Religion — 6. A Sarana Religion, Not a Bhakti Religion — 7. The Teachings and Doctrines — 8. An Appraisal — 9. Some Vacanas of Sociological Significance — Appendix: Population Growth in Karnataka: 1931-1981 — References – Index.

Editorial Reviews

Ishwaran (sociology, York U., England) describes how, in the 12th century, the prophet Basava came to southern India and waged a campaign against inequalities and the economic and political subordination of the masses, and how his movement has grown into Lingayatism, a religion of more than eight million worshipers of Siva. The religion is little known outside of India, and then usually misunderstood as an offshoot of Hinduism. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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