KASHI JANGAMWADI MATH,VARANASI

The philosophy which preaches the close relationship between Shiva and Jiva or Linga and Anga is the Veerashaiva philosophy (Siddhanta Shikhamani,5.15-16,18). Shaiva means ‘devotee of shiva’. Veera means brave. A person who is brave in the devotion to Lord Shiva is Veerashaiva (Veerashaiva Dharma Shiromani,1.16). A devotee of Shiva who posseses Ishtalinga and strictly follows the Veeravrata is called Veerashaiva (Chandrajnanagama (Kriyapad), 10.33.34.) ‘Vee’ means enemy ‘ra’ means without. A Shaiva who has no enemy is called Veerashaiva (Kriyasara, Pt. I, p.11). The person who worships the Ishtalinga, given by his Guru, keeping it on his left hand palm and later on tie it always on his body is called Veerashaiva (Skanda Purana, Shankara Samhita).

Thus, he is a Veerashaiva who always wears the Ishtalinga on his body and worships it keeping on his left hand palm and follows the Veeiravrata without having any enmity towards other religious followers.

The Jnana Simhasana Peetha established by His Holiness Jagadguru Vishwaradhya is still in existence in the Kailash Mandap of Jangamwadi Math. The Acharyas of this Peetha used to sit on the Jnana Simhasana in the ancient times for delivering religious discourses of Veerashaiva philosophy and religion to the saints (Rishis) and common people. The tradition of sitting on this Jnana Peetha for getting Sanskara and Mantropadesha (initiation) by the successive Jagadgurus on their coronation is still in practice.

Every Veerashaiva worships the Ishtalinga keeping it on his /her left hand palm everyday with Rudrabhisheka, Panchamrita Abhisheka etc. After Abhisheka, he/she uses Bhashma, Gandha (Sandalwood paste) and Akshata for worshipping the Ishtalinga along with 108 or 1008 bilvas. Later on, the Mangalarti is performed with Dhoop & Deepa. After that, the Vaivedya (food) is offered to Ishtalinga. After that the Bilva and Pushpa (flower) offered to the Ishtalinga are removed and smelled and disposed by the Veerashaiva devotee. At the end, the Panchakshara mantra (hymn) is chanted thrice and the sacred water is also offered thrice. The same sacred water is accepted by the devotee. The Ishtalinga is to be worshipped at least six times in a day. This is the rule as per Veerashaiva religion. In case, it is not possible one should worship the Ishtalinga three times or at least once in a day. Accordingly, every Veerashaiva male and female worship the Ishtalinga as per their capacity.

Worshipping the Ishtalinga keeping it on the left hand palm and wearing it on the body after the worship is prescribed in Veerashaiva religion. Therefore, the Veerashaivism is superior among all the Shaiva sects. Because of this speciality this is called Veerashaiva religion.

In veerashaiva religion there is no discrimination between male and female. Ishtalinga deeksha is given to both. Every Veerashaiva person who gets the Ishtalinga at the age of eight will never separate the Ishtalinga from his/her body. Wherever they go it will remain with them. They worship it everyday. The females who worship ishtalinga do not have any kind of sutaka (pollution) Janana and Rajas. Wearing the Ishtalinga and Rudraksha in the neck Tripundra Bhasma on the forehead and always chanting the Panchakshara hymn in the mouth are the external symbols to identify a Veerashaiva. In case of death of a Veerashaiva the ishtalinga will also be buried alongwith the dead body and then Samadhi rites are perfomed. Burning the dead body is strictly prohibited for Veerashaivas.

Every Veerashaiva posseses the Ashtavarana (eightfold protections) -Guru, Linga, Jangama, Vibhuti, Rudraksha, Mantra, Padodaka and Prasada. Out of these Ashtavaranas Guru, Linga & Jangama are worshipables, Vibhuti, Rudraksa & Mantra are worshipping things and Padodaka & Prasad are the fruits He performes the Panchacharas – Lingachara, Sadachara, Shivachara, Ganachara and Bhrityachara in his daily life. Along with this, he practices the Shatasthala ways Bhakta, Maheshvara, Prasadi, Pranalingi, Sharana and Aikya- and gets liberation. It is the aim of every Veerashaiva to achieve liberation. Anybody who is interested to know more about Veerashaivism and its philosophy is advisesd to read the following sacred books:

1. 28 Shaiva Agamas
2. Shri Siddhanta Shikhamani
3. Kriyasara
4. Lingadharana Chandrika
5. Anubhavasutra
6. Veerashaivananda Chandrika
7. Isha, Kena, Mundaka, Kaivalya, Shvetashvetara and Siddhanta Shikopanisad (Veerashaiva commentaries)
Besides these, one can read the Vachana literature of Kannada Sharanas and Veerashaiva saints’ Abhangas in Marathi. The vast literature is also available about Veerashaivim in telugu and Tamil languages.