Vachanas and Lingayatism
Basavaadi Sharana's Vachanas are their experiences in the process of God realization through oneness with the pure consciousness in the prana. About 800 sharanas practiced the technique and wrote their experiences in terms of Guru (Unmanifest Chaitanya), Linga (Manifest Chaitanya), Jangama (Pure consciousness of Lingatattva in one's prana), Padodaka (intimacy with the knower/source of Lingatattva), and Prasada (becoming lingatattva). Research on Vachanas are being disseminated and discussed in Anubhava Mantapa by Dr.S.R Siddalingappa. Every 2nd Saturday, Anubhavamantapa is being conducted with a group of people,to understand the original/experiential meaning of vachanas and how sharanas become lingatattva with the guidance of Basavanna. Like Basavanna succeeded through the group discussion model in the form of Anubhava Mantapa where an even novice can rise his comprehension to the elite most, even today Anubhava Mantapa made available for those who want to read into the true sense and depth of Vachanas to get into the serious act of God realization. As per record, this form exchange of experience of the realization of the God in group discussion has happened only in Karnataka by the sharanas mainly under the guidance of Basaveshvara, Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu and Siddheshwar.This fact has been attributed to the popularity of the movement. More than 200 Vacahana writers (Vachanakaras) have been recorded, more than 30 of who were women.
Read more about this topic: Vachana Sahitya