19. Accusation of Misuse of Treasury
Just like bees throng flower garden, the people, who were yarning to be liberated from mundane existence, thronged to Kalyana even from far off places like Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Gurjara, Brahamdesha, Kashmeera, Simhala. They all had not only surrendered completely to the divine and lofty personality of Basavanna but were also strongly impressed and influenced by his principles. Therefore, they naturally stayed in Kalyana. Sharanas, after becoming Basava follower, travelled length and breadth of the country and propogated the Basava religion. The untouchables, shudras, exploited lots who were all reformed by the sharanas came to Anubhava Mantapa and bettered their lives.
Basava followers, as Harihara puts it, "had enough food and clothes. If this is about their personal matter, in addition to this, they used to carryout Dasoha, social service and other economic programmes every day. They regularly attended the discourses at Anubhava Mantapa" Some people in the state administration like Konde Manchanna and others could not tolerate the Basava followers leading a content life. They felt jealous about Basavanna and they lied in wait to blemish Basavanna's reputation and remove him from the position.
"Basava followers are leading a happy and content life ! How do they get money ? When the poverty could not be removed even when the people work day and night, the secret of this content life is your treasury" they complained before the king Bijjala. His mind was poisoned and suddenly the king called for an enquiry doubting the misuse of treasury and he sent the message to Basavanna. Basavanna was pained that `the king had lent his ears to back biting'. He handed over the accounts of income -expenditure and the balance money to the king.
Bijjala became very happy when he learnt that the treasury had an unprecedented high revenue and was full. He came to know that the revenue flowed into the treasury was much higher than what used to be during the periods of Basavanna's predecessors. Income-expenditure accounts were absolutely correct.
"O! great Basavanna you have achieved what the most learned and seasoned finance ministers could not do in the past. The treasury is overflowing. What is the secret of this ?"
"O! king Bijjala, the secret lies in the mantra- 'Work is divine bliss'. The earth is rich and gives suitable rewards if we work hard. God has not given just a mouth to eat but two hands to work. If a person works for twice the amount what he consumes, the opulance in the State is natural. Laziness is the cause for all sufferings. Who ever it may be my followers, they all work honestly. 'Avoidance of observance can be endured but not the avoidance of work'- this is my doctrine. Therefore the promptness in the work or the work-culture is the main mantra for the progress of the country. Secondly, my followers retain only that much which is required for them and distribute the remaining to others through Dasoha. I have inculcated in them the honesty in paying the taxes. Not only Sharanas are leading this pure and true life among themselves but they are also teaching others and trying to develop the same feelings in them. Therefore the state has progressed in all respects and has attained tremendous success."
"Oh ! Basavanna what a strange person I am ! I doubted a virtuous person like you by lending my ears to the slanders. Please forgive me...."
"Keep that aside Maharaja,
When a stream of milk runs before the town
Why should I run behind a vile cow ?
Why lose modesty and bashfulness ?
When the Lord Kudala Sangama Deva is with us
Why should I need Bijjala's treasury ?
I have imbibed the above principle. My desciples also are of the same principle. They have pledged to lead a pure and honest life. They are not like the ones who earn money in any ways and go on pilgrimage to dip in rivers and ponds under the illusion that all of their sin would be washed away. They have believed that principle and honest work is itself a worship and work is worship . If they are content and happy it is because of their honest work"
"Basavanna I beg you whole heartedly to forgive me. Moreover, I have a proposal and I place it before you. It has been a long time since your father-in-law Baladevarasa has passed away. I have kept that position vacant for not finding a suitable person. Now I have learnt that you are the only suitable person to occupy that position. The work will be done by those persons who yearn for people's welfare and not for position. Superior service can be expected if a person with sense of nationality, people loving and service oriented holds the power."
"That's all true Maharaja. I do not work to please any section of the society. I work for the welfare of the people. It hurts me a lot if you believe slanders and unnecessarily doubt me even when I am living according to these lofty ideals. I accept the power considering it as means to serve but not to hold on to it.
Your majesty, having an ambition to become a honest public servant, I take the oath in the name of God;
Brushing my eyes after I get up in the early morning,
And if I yearn for food, jewels
For my wife and children, I give
My head, I give my head."
Your majesty, life of a civil servant is like a pure white cloth. With great care it has be to protected. In the same way I protect my life with honesty and principles. I avow in God's name and in the name of sharanas not to hoard even a speck from the gold, a grain from rice, a thread from cloth for tomorrow and the future.
Apart from this, I serve you dedicating myself completely because you are not just a person but a powercentre which rules the people. Whatever the work it may be, I assume it for the welfare of the people and do it with all dedication.
Be it even theft, I take the lead
Be it even imprisionment, I go first
If I waver or fear at anytime
Or if I do not endorse the ruler's step
I give my head, I promise
O! Kudala Sangama Deva.
Whatever the work you do for the welfare of the State ; be it a theft, I take the lead and carry the tools to drill a hole. If you are ready for the imprisonment for the good of the public, I go prior to you. I will never hesitate to sacrifice. I respect the king who rules the State".
After listening to Basavanna's words whick hearlded the laughty principles, patriatism, Bijjala became overwhelmingly happy. He placed the Royal emblem of Prime Minister- the crown -on Basavanna's head and gave the sword which was the epitome of power and embraced him with all pride and tears of joy in his eyes.
Basavanna was moved by Bijjala's affection and pride on him. He was astonished to realise God's grace turning the allegation which lashed on him as a thunder bolt into a garland of honour, progress and elevation. The allegation came as a poison but turned into ambrosia. Anger became affection and blame turned into a felicitation. How miraculous God's grace is ! He uttered a Vachana;
By Thy grace even the dry twig
Become green and sprouts afresh
By Thy grace anything sterile becomes fertile
By Thy grace will poison itself turn into nector
By Thy grace all things become
Profuse and abundant,
O Lord Kudala Sangama Deva"
The back biters were thoroughly disappointed and their faces were sullen when the King Bijjala showered lot of affection on Basavanna. They went to throw a snake on Basavanna, but only to see it turning into a garland. They were bewildered.
Bijjala said ; "Basavanna, I have given all power and chance to punish them. You can punish these back biters as you wish for their attempt to put a false charge on you."
" Your Majesty, my ambition is to convert the sinners but not to destroy them. I pray the God for them and may God showers His grace on them to transform their hearts. I hope they will understand me in a right way."
"Your generosity and magnanimity are limitless Basavanna. You are not only an embodiment of knowledge but also an embodiment of virtues !..." Bijjala exclaimed.
Thus Basavanna ascended to a highest political position.
