Religious Promoters And Social Reformers

village Kaladi

Explanation: He was born in the Namboodari Brahmin family. Shivaguru and Aryamba were his father and mother.

Shankaracharya.

Explanation: He propagated Adwaitha philosophy based on his understanding of Upanishads and Brahmasutras. It means that world is maya or illusion hence we should go on path of knowledge and realize, the nature of the world.

Madhwacharya.

Explanation: The meaning of Dwaita is two. Acoording to this, the human and the divine soul are separate.

The adwaita philosophy was propagated by Shankaracharya. It says that Brahma is the absolute truth, the rest of world is false. The world is an illusion. People are not aware of the illusionary nature of the world but we can realize this nature through knowledge. We can attain moksha only when we merge our soul with the absolute truth, Brahma. The world is maya or illusion hence we should go on path of knowledge and realize, the nature of the world.

Ramanujacharya wanted to show the path of salvation to the common people. His philosophy is called as Vishithadwaita. According to this philosophy jeeva (life) and prakurthi (nature) are under control of bramha. Both atma and parmatam cannot become one simultaneously. He said that world is the expressed manifastion of bramha and world is reality.

The sect of this philosophy is Srivaishnavism. There are many mutts of this sect in South India like Yatiraja mutt, Ahobala mutt, Parakala mutt, Vamaimalai mutt etc.

The philosophy advocated by Ramanujacharya is Known as Vishithadwaita. It says that Jeeva which is life and Prakruthi which means nature are controlled by Bramha. Bhakti and Prapathi means complete surrendrance to god is important to achieve salvation.

He criticised “caste system” and also emphasised on world being reality and manifestation of Bramha.

Madhwacharya said that the world is as true as the Parmatama or the Divine soul. It is not an illusion. There is a lord and servant relationship between the divine and human soul. The human soul being servant can attain moksha by worshipping the Divine soul being Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is supreme and independent in the world.

Based on simple human values, Basaveshwara propagated veerashaiva philosophy. He was against the caste based system and encouraged the philosophy of “Work is worship” where “Body” acts as a “Temple”. He said that no work is more or less importance. Every work has its own significance. He also tried to follow this philosophy in his life. He was advocated that “one should earn one’s living”.

Anubhava Mantapa is a sharana spiritual center. It was founded by Basaveshwara at Basava kalyana of present Bidar. Here all Sharanas and others discussed about on social issues like gender discrimination, caste system etc. There were also discussing the drawbacks of religions and solutions to overcome them. One should always remain transparent in life and that is the “ultimate truth” they concluded.

There are many books written by Shankaracharya. Some of them are Shankarabhasya, Anandalahari, Soundaryalahari, Shivanandalahari, Viveka choodamani, Prabudda sudhakara and Dakshinamurthy stotra. His hymn ‘‘Bhajagovindam’’ is world famous.

Vachanas are short paragraphs. They end with some local names which invokes lord shiva and offered pooja. It is a form of rhythmic writing in Kannada. The word vachanas literally means "(that which is) said". There are many vachanas. A example of basava’s vachanas is:

A trusted wife but signified A single lordship.

The devout too Who knows of trust have it in one.

Beware! Another God is treachery Forbear!

Another God is adultery And pays the toll of the culprit's nose

If Kudala Sangama chances to see."-- Sri Basaveshwar 1

•Basaveshwara

•Allama Prabhu

•Madivala Machayya

•Medara Ketayya

3. Conduct Vachana Singing competition.

Organise a vachana singing competition as it will help you to enhance your understanding and meanings of vachanas.

Dwaita was a philosophy which was propagated by Madhwacharya. It says that that the world is as true as the Pramatama or the Divine soul. It is not an illusion. There is a lord and servant relationship between the divine and human soul. The human soul being servant can attain moksha by worshipping the Divine soul being Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is supreme and independent in the world.

Adwaita was also a philosophy which was advocated by Shankaracharya. It says that Brahma is the absolute truth, the rest of world is false. The world is an illusion. People are not aware of the illusionary nature of the world but we can realize this nature through knowledge. We can attain moksha only when we merge our soul with the absolute truth, Brahma.

Organise an event in your school in which invite the local vachana singers and encourage the students to explore the ancient culture which is very rich in values. It also help then to understand the real meaning of them. By channelizing the study into a program, interest of students can be developed in this area.