Basaveshwara

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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.