The VacanasThe Vacanas11

3434thth Orientation Programme Orientation Programme

Seminar presentation bySeminar presentation by

Poornima BagaliPoornima Bagali

Lecturer in EnglishLecturer in English

Govt. First Grade College, ChikkaballapurGovt. First Grade College, Chikkaballapur

The VacanasThe Vacanas 22

The Vacanas: Origin, Principles and The Vacanas: Origin, Principles and Their ImpactTheir Impact

Every revolution is a child of the milieu of the society. The vacanakaras of the 12th Every revolution is a child of the milieu of the society. The vacanakaras of the 12th century sparkled their revolution through their vacanas. The word ‘Vacana’ comes century sparkled their revolution through their vacanas. The word ‘Vacana’ comes from Sanskrit ‘Vach’ meaning word. IT is not restricted to ay set rules but a from Sanskrit ‘Vach’ meaning word. IT is not restricted to ay set rules but a combination of prose and poetry. The vacanakaras composed the vacanas to preach combination of prose and poetry. The vacanakaras composed the vacanas to preach their unique religion based on equality. They used them as tools to reform their their unique religion based on equality. They used them as tools to reform their society, enlighten the masses who were hitherto misled by Upanishads and society, enlighten the masses who were hitherto misled by Upanishads and karmakanda. The vacanas preach the profound Vedas in a very simple manner to karmakanda. The vacanas preach the profound Vedas in a very simple manner to the laity. The vacanakaras belong to 11th, 12th and 16th centuries. The prominent the laity. The vacanakaras belong to 11th, 12th and 16th centuries. The prominent among them are Devara Dasimaiah, Lord Basaveshwara, Prabhudevaru (or among them are Devara Dasimaiah, Lord Basaveshwara, Prabhudevaru (or Allamaprabhu), Akkamahadevi (or Akka). Allamaprabhu), Akkamahadevi (or Akka).

Siddarameshwara, Channabasavanna, Thotada Siddalinga, Ghanalingideva, Siddarameshwara, Channabasavanna, Thotada Siddalinga, Ghanalingideva, Swatantra Siddalinga. Unique genre composed by these writers is labeled as vacana Swatantra Siddalinga. Unique genre composed by these writers is labeled as vacana shastra or vacana literature. shastra or vacana literature.

There are approximately as many as three hundred men and women vacanakaras in There are approximately as many as three hundred men and women vacanakaras in kannada literature. This sparks the mammoth contribution to Kannada literature.kannada literature. This sparks the mammoth contribution to Kannada literature.

The karma theory or karmakanda was the basis for Upanishads. These Upanishads The karma theory or karmakanda was the basis for Upanishads. These Upanishads in turn were the basis for knowledge.in turn were the basis for knowledge.

The VacanasThe Vacanas 33

God is unique. But people call him by God is unique. But people call him by various names.various names.

Non-violence is the root of all religions.Non-violence is the root of all religions. Man will progress only when he puts his Man will progress only when he puts his

heart and soul into his work.heart and soul into his work. Both men and women are equal in the Both men and women are equal in the

eyes of religion.eyes of religion. The discrimination between casts is an The discrimination between casts is an

obstacle to the progress of the people.obstacle to the progress of the people.

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The practice of untouchability is a social The practice of untouchability is a social evil.evil.

The principles of religions should be The principles of religions should be verified with experience.verified with experience.

Man should purge himself externally and Man should purge himself externally and internally.internally.

The sharanas should safeguard the interest The sharanas should safeguard the interest of all the animals.of all the animals.

Man should not neglect the world as false Man should not neglect the world as false and the mortality of the body.and the mortality of the body.

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Origin of Vacanas:Origin of Vacanas:Vedic AgeVedic AgeJainismJainism

BuddhismBuddhismKalamukhasKalamukhas

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Thank You Thank You