With reference to the Virashaiva tradition consider the following statements 1 Its founder Basavanna...........

Miscellaneous Others

With reference to the Virashaiva tradition, consider the following statements:

1. Its founder Basavanna was a contemporary of the Sufi saint Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya.

2. The tradition believes that every devotee has to go through multiple cycles of rebirth before he/she is united with Lord Shiva.

3. Virashaivism did not advocate the worship of idols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

3 only

1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• The Virashaiva Tradition emerged during the twelfth century in Karnataka. Basavanna (1106-68) is regarded as the founder of this Virashaiva tradition. He was a minister in the court of a Kalachuri ruler. His followers were known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the linga). • Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya (1238 to 1325) was a Sufi saint of the Chishti Order. He thus belonged to the thirteen and fourteen centuries AD and was not a contemporary of Basavanna. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. • Lingayats believe that on death the devotee will be united with Shiva and will not return to this world. Thus they do not believe in the theory of rebirth. Therefore they do not practice funerary rites such as cremation, prescribed in the Dharmashastras. Instead, they ceremonially bury their dead. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

• The vachanas (literally, sayings) composed in Kannada by women and men who joined the movement serve as an important source to study the Virshaiva Movement. • Virashaivism did not advocate the worship of idols and the worship of a multitude of Gods and Goddesses. It emphasized the worship of only one God namely Lord Shiva. Shiva was the only Supreme Being to be worshipped in the form of a Linga. Hence, statement 3 is correct.