HUBBALLI: Striking out on a less-trodden path, a Lingayat math in Gadag district of north Karnataka is set to make a Muslim youth its pontiff. Diwan Sharief Rahimansab Mulla, 33, who will be incepted on February 26, said he was influenced by the teachings of 12th -century reformer Basavanna since childhood and would work towards his ideals of social justice and harmony.
Sharief will become pontiff of the Murugharajendra Koraneshwara Shantidhama Math in Asuti village, which is linked to the 350-year-old Koraneshwara Sansthan Math in Khajuri village in Kalaburagi. They rank among the 361 maths of Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra Math of Chitradurga, which draw lakhs of followers from across Karnataka and Maharashtra, besides other parts of the country.
“Basavas philosophies are universal and we embrace followers irrespective of caste and religion. He had dreamed of social justice and harmony in the 12th century and following his teachings, the math has opened its doors to all,” said Murugharajendra Koraneshwar Shivayogi, pontiff of the Khajuri math.
Influenced by Shivayogis discourses in Asuti, Shariefs father, the late Rahimansab Mulla, donated two acres to set up a math in the village. Shivayogi said the Asuti math has been functioning for 2-3 years now and construction of the premises was on.
“Sharief is dedicated to Basavas philosophy and has been living by those tenets. His father was also a staunch follower and had obtained linga deeksha from us. Sharief took deeksha on November 10, 2019,” the pontiff said. “We have trained him on the various facets of Lingayat religion and Basavannas teachings over the past three years.”
Sharief said he was drawn to Basavas teachings since childhood. “I used to run a flour mill in neighbouring Menasagi village and, in my free time, conducted discourses on the Vachanas authored by Basavanna and other Sharanas of the 12th century. Murugharajendra Swamiji recognised my small service and took me under his wings,” Sharief said. “I will move on the same path propagated by Basavanna and my mentor.”
Sharief is married and father to three daughters and a son and appointment of a family man as pontiff is still uncommon in Lingayat maths. “Lingayat religion believes in sadgati (salvation) through sansar (family). A family man can become a swami and take up social and spiritual work,” said ShivayoRead More – Source
[contf]
[contfnew]
times of india
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
