Eshwar Khandre calls Veerashaiva-Lingayats broad-hearted, urges unity at Bengaluru awareness and religious eventEshwar Khandre calls Veerashaiva-Lingayats broad-hearted, urges unity at Bengaluru awareness and religious event
Bengaluru, July 15: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha national president Eshwar B. Khandre said Veerashaiva-Lingayats are broad-hearted people who have embraced and accepted everyone as their own without discrimination.
Addressing a public awareness and religious gathering held at Sujnana Mandir in Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, Khandre said society was at a crossroads and expressed concern that some people, for selfish interests, were trying to create discord between religions and between castes.
He said any attempt by anyone to divide Veerashaivas and Lingayats was wrong and urged people to remain alert about such individuals. He said Veerashaiva-Lingayats must understand that there is strength in unity and weakness in division.
Khandre said there was no difference between Veerashaivas and Lingayats and described them as two sides of the same coin. Referring to Tumakuru Siddaganga Mutt’s late seer Dr Shivakumar Swamiji, he said the seer had written in his own hand that Veerashaivas and Lingayats were not separate.
He said the blessings of the Panchapeethas, pontiffs and spiritual leaders were with the community and asserted that no force could separate Veerashaiva-Lingayats.
Recalling the contribution of Veerashaiva-Lingayat mutts and institutions, Khandre said society should not create feelings of high and low among people, but instead promote the idea that everyone is equal. He said the community should take pride in its message that human values must prevail, that peace in the world comes through dharma, and that compassion is the foundation of dharma.
He said Shivasharanas and Basava-era thinkers had envisioned an egalitarian society as early as the 12th century. If there was any society that wished well for all, he said, it was the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
Khandre said children must be taught the importance of the Veerashaiva and Sharana traditions. He said they should be told the stories of achievers from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community and informed about the greatness of Renukacharyas. He said children should be taken to mutts and religious institutions to learn about their practices and values and to develop a broad outlook.
He also said that the wealthy, educated, intelligent and industrialists in the community should identify other members of the community, especially poor but talented individuals, and provide them with guidance and support.
Speaking about Ashadha month observances, Khandre said Ishtalinga Mahapuja was being performed every morning and that worship of the Ishtalinga brings peace and calmness to the mind. He said that in the modern Anubhava Mantapa being built in his district, Bidar, a dedicated Ishtalinga worship complex had been created to explain to the world how Ishtalinga puja should be performed scientifically.
He said the Anubhava Mantapa at Basavakalyan was a contribution of Basava-era thinkers to the world. He said women sharanes including Akka Mahadevi and Muktayakka had also presented their views at the Anubhava Mantapa. Calling it the world’s first parliament, he said it had provided space for people of all castes and communities. He added that a modern Anubhava Mantapa with 770 Amaragana pillars was now being built there.
The event was attended by Balehonnur Rambhapuri Veerasimhasanadheeshwara Jagadguru Prasanna Renuka Dr Veerasomeshwara Rajadeshikendra Shivacharya Bhagavatpadaru, Edeyuru Kshetra’s Sri Renuka Shivacharya Swamiji, Siddarabetta’s Sri Veerabhadra Shivacharya Swamiji, and community leaders including B.S. Paramashivayya, Basalingayya Hiremath and Guruswamy.
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