Sadachara | Ganachara |
Bhruthyachara (ಭೃತ್ಯಾಚಾರ) |
BHṚTYĀCHĀRA: [ಭೃತ್ಯಾಚಾರ] is an act done in total humility or modesty. The behaviour of a servant towards his master is an example of bhṛtyāchār (act of servant). Every Lingayat must inculcate the practice of bhṛtyāchār towards every other Lingavanta. Only an aspirant with humility is eligible to learn spiritual aspects from others including people of lower castes and younger ones. Bhṛtyāchār is an act of eliminating one's own arrogance and egoism. Basavanna's words "there is none smaller then me' express unequivocally how modest he was towards others in spite of the fact that he was prime minister of king Bijjala.
Bruthyachara is the display of devotion. In this context, Lingayat is considered as the servant of the society. Lingayats should maintain complete humility and reverence towards Ishtalinga ಇಷ್ಟಲಿಂಗ and Jangama (holy person). He/she also should show respect and humility towards Guru , who is the source of spiritual guidance and religious practice, and towards Jangama , who is the wandering religious preacher. They should exercise the mutual respect, modesty, and attitude of service towards other Lingayats and all human beings, as they are considered to be the children of the same Supreme GOD. In addition, the Bruthyachara dictates that one should be kind to other creatures (animals) and treat them with equal compassion.
ದಯವಿಲ್ಲದ ಧರ್ಮವದೇವುದಯ್ಯಾ
ದಯವೇ ಬೇಕು ಸರ್ವಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳೆಲ್ಲರಲ್ಲಿ.
ದಯವೇ ಧರ್ಮದ ಮೂಲವಯ್ಯಾ,
ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಯ್ಯನಂತಲ್ಲದೊಲ್ಲನಯ್ಯಾ. 247 [1]
Lord, is there any religion
Without compassion?
There must be compassion for all creatures.
Compassion itself is the root of religion.
Anything otherwise is unacceptable to
Koodalasangamadeva. 223
ಭಕ್ತ ಭಕ್ತನ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದಡೆ, ಭೃತ್ಯಾಚಾರವ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.
ಕರ್ತನಾಗಿ ಕಾಲ ತೊಳೆಸಿಕೊಂಡಡೆ ಹಿಂದೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಭಕ್ತಿಗೆ ಹಾನಿ.
ಲಕ್ಕ (ಲಕ್ಷ) ಗಾವುದ ದಾರಿಯ ಹೋಗಿ
ಭಕ್ತನು ಭಕ್ತನ ಕಾಂಬುದು ಸದಾಚಾರ.
ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕೂಡಿ ದಾಸೋಹವ ಮಾಡಿದಡೆ ಕೂಡಿಕೊಂಬನು ನಮ್ಮ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಯ್ಯ. 246
If a devotee comes to the house of another devotee
He should serve like a servant.
Thinking that he is the maker
If the devotee allows his feet to be washed
That will destroy all the devotion attained in the past.
Walking a thousand miles
And visiting another devotee is a virtuous act.
If they together make daasoha there
Koodalasangamadeva will be with them. 294 [1]
[1] Number indicates at the end of each Vachana is from the book "Vachana", pub: Basava Samiti Bangalore 2012.
*Sadachara | Ganachara |