Kola Shaantayya

Holding a staff and a begging bowl
Wandering in the guise of Shiva for the sake of belly
Is mere child’s play and not attaining Shivahood.
Give up these meaningless words
Understand the origin of the three letters
Punyaaranyadahana Bhimeshwaralinga Nirangasanga. [Vachana No.1628] ^[1]

Kola Shaantayya followed the occupation of a cowherd and is well-known in the field of vachana literature. One of the three compilations of Sakala Puraatanara Vachana begins with his works. There are references to him in Chennabasavapurana and Bhyraveshwarakavya Kathaasutrarathnakara.

There is a math in Arasikere in Bellary district where he is worshipped. So it is possible that he belongs to this area. His 103 vachanas are extant with the signature phrase Punyaaramyadahana Bhimeshwaralinga. Most of them are esoteric. They deal with the nature of devotion, the manner of a sadguru, and criticism of the hypocrites.

A guru who gave ishtalinga without knowing the path
Became like a moth drawn by flames.
A disciple who received Ishtalinga from a such a guru
Became like a fly caught by the spider.
It was like union between a slave maid and a slave.
What use of all this?
Know yourself
Punyaaranyaadahana Bhimeshwaralinga Nirangasanga [Vachana No.1633] ^[1]