Guheshwarayya (ಗುಹೆಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ)

The route of a bird in flight
only the bird flying behind knows.
How can a hen crawling below know it?
The joy of intimacy with linga
only a praanalingi knows.
How can sheepish mortals
babbling in ignorance
know your ways Goheshwarapriya Niraalalinga? [Vachana No.2273] ^[1]

Guheshwarayya (c.1600 Post Basava Age) could be the person who has composed the vachanas found in the manuscript entitled Guheshwarayyana Vachanagalu. 43 of his vachanas are available with the signature Guheshwarapriya Niraalalinga. Their primary aim is to uphold Shatsthala principles and to deride the violators of righteons living. The vachanas have been enumerated under the categories Makara tarka prastavada vachana, yogiya tarkada prastavada vachana and kavigala tarkada prastavada vachana.

Mere chanting of Shiva’s name
severs all worldly ties-
say fools.
Do not heed their words.
The reason being:
can mere thought of light
brighten up a darkened house?
can mere thought of Rambha, the heavenly dancer,
cure a man of desire?
Seeing sheepish mortals say such things
our Goheshwarapriya Niraalalinga laughed. [Vachana No.2274] ^[1]

What use are thirty two weapons in the hands of a soldier
who lacks the will to fight?
What use are ornaments in a woman
without character?
What use is a mirror
in the hands of a blind man?
What use is money
in the hands of a man without dharma?
What use are good looks
in a person without knowledge?
What use is linga
on the body of sheepish mortals
ignorant of praanalinga?
Similarly,
how can the worldly
who do not understand six modes of worship
know your ways?
What can I say of traitors
who worship linga installed on the ground,
Goheshwarapriya Niraalalinga? [Vachana No.2275] ^[1]