Question:Guruji, When I’m reading about Vachana literature, many poets have written that Basavanna and all the other 700 sharanas are all Shiva ganas taking avatara on the earth. But amazingly, all of their vachanas are really of utmost spiritual maturity. My question is, is it possible for so many spiritually evolved persons at a single timeline and at a single place ?Sri Prabhuji:Dear Atmajyothi, Karnataka is a very fortunate land. Shiva Sharanas, Dasas, three Acharyas (Madhwa, Ramanuja, Shankara) purified this land. Bhakti marga originated in Karnataka – Hanumanji was born in Hampi area of Karnataka.At any point of time if One person gets enlightened. He/She helps others to raise in Consciousness. This happened every time in History. After Buddha got enlightened, more than 10,000 people got enlightened during his life time. He spread the fire of enlightenment. Wisdom of enlightenment can be transmitted by a Living Master. After Master passes away, the wisdom has to be passed on through hearing or books. This will reduce the impact till again another Enlightened Master comes. This is a natural process.In Karnataka, enlightenment spread like fire during Basavannas time. Many great beings Allama Prabhu, Akkamahadevi and others spread the fire of enlightenment. Enlightenment became available to common man – fisherman, cobbler, shopkeeper, housewife etc. That is the Greatness of Basavanna. He showed Mukti Maarga to many people. No wonder 700 sharanas were there at that point of time. I guess it is even more. There were many more enlightened beings were there – who just became silent.Supreme Reality Parabrahma – Sadashiva is beyond thought and mind. He operates as Saguna Brahma (Bhagavan) for performing 5 functions – Creation (Brahma), Maintenance (Vishnu), Destruction (Shiva), Bondage (Maya) and Liberation (Sadguru). When we speak of Allamaprabhu, Basavanna – they are Sadguru – Realized Masters – fifth aspect of Divinity.Supreme Reality – Parabrahma is beyond thought and mind and has no representation. Formless and form aspect of that reality is shown as Shiva Linga. This is Shiva Consciousness. When we speak of Shiva as person – we speak of Shiva Yogi – first human being who attained Shiva consciousness. One who attains Shiva Consciousness becomes Shiva Himself. He is Adi Guru – First Guru. He taught many disciples – some of them attained Shiva Consciousness. Thus passing on of Shiva Consciousnesses happened from Master to Disciple in unbroken tradition starting from Adiyogi Shiva. Everybody who attains Shiva Consciousness becomes Shiva Himself (internally). If you attain Shiva Consciousness then you are also Shiva. If you attain Shiva consciousness or not your inner self (Atman) is Shiva. If you identify with body-mind-intellect you are jiva. If you identify yourself with your inner consciousness you are Shiva. Jiva is Shiva depending on identification.Once someone attains enlightened consciousnes, He/She becomes Shiva Himself. His disciples become Shiva Ganas. Each disciple can be in different level of evolution – salokya, sameepya, saroopya and Sayujya. They are on the path of evolution. Since they are at different stages of evolution, there can be difference of opinion.
Those Sharanas who are on the Bhaki marga say Advaita is false. Those who are on the path of Jnana marga say Advaita is True. It all depends on where they are on the spiritual evolution.