Vachanas help attain higher level of consciousness: scholar

Journalist and scholar of Sharana literature of 12th century Basavarajswamy expressed displeasure over the increasing trend of merely advocating the guiding thoughts of Vachana literature and not adopting them.

He was delivering his presidential address at the second district Sharana Sahitya Sammelan, a two-day literary event exclusively on Vachana literature, at Pundit Siddarama Jambaladinni Auditorium here Saturday.

“Vachanas are guiding principles created in a simple narrative form. They are ladders to reach higher level of consciousness and attain spiritual state of mind. Instead of climbing the ladder, we are carrying it on our heads to finally fall down under its weight,” he said.

Disagreeing with the phenomenon of punishing the human body alone for physical crimes committed, he stressed the need to punish the mind as well. He obliquely criticised the “so-called religious leaders and self-fashioned gurus for spreading ignorance and exploiting people” in the name of religion and spirituality.

Earlier, Lok Sabha member B.V. Naik said that Vachana literature continued to serve its purpose even eight centuries after its creation.

“Hundreds of Sharanas created the Vachanas in a very simple and understandable language and used them as a powerful tool to awaken the toiling masses, marginalised sections and downtrodden people and mobilise them in larger movement against social evils, particularly the caste system. The entire movement was directed to abolish social inequalities and establish an equal and peaceful society. The essence of the Vachanas is so powerful that it has not lost its relevance till today,” he said.

Earlier in the day, a colourful procession was taken out through the streets of the city. The venue was jam-packed with thousands of Vachana literature enthusiasts who had arrived from different parts of the district.

N.S. Boseraju, MLC, released the souvenir and a booklet on Basavanna.

MLAs Shivaraj Patil, Pratapgowda Patil, Manappa Vajjal, MLC N.S. Boseraju, and leaders of different political parties were present.