Shivasharanara Aikysthalagala Nakshe

A Shivasharana is a devotee of Shiva who's maxim was  surrender to Shiva, inner-purity and simple living. The Shivasharana revolution of XII Century CE led by eminent Shivasharana like Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu and Basavanna was aimed at achieving social equality, casteless society and devotion through Vachana Sahithya. Vachanas are poetry with profound message in simple language composed by Shivasharana. The epicenter of Shivasharana revolution was Kalyana the capital of Bijjala's kingdom, present day Basava Kalyana in Bidar district. Every revolution faces resistance, and Shivasharanas too had to face the ire of powerful upper caste leaders which eventually caused the king to turn against the revolution. The conflict exploded after Bijjala's assassination. The Shivasharanas were expelled from the kingdom, pursued by army they fled in all directions, majority went southwards. Shivasharanas though peaceful at heart were fighters when it came to self defense, more so to protect Vachana Sahitya. Many of the Shivasharanas were martyred but their legacy was kept alive by the followers. Their places have burial have become religious places. To this day people visit Shivasharanas Aikyasthala as a mark of respect to their contribution and to get inspired by their philosophy.

Here's a map which has pins marking locations of Aikyasthalas. The map will be updated as and when a discovery is made. In case readers know of Aikyasthala not marked in this map, please do share the info in comment section. Your info will be added to the map.

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Maricha's end

Everyone who knows Ramayana is aware of Sita's abduction. The story in which Lanka king Ravana hatches a plot to abduct Sita. Ravana wanted his maternal uncle Maricha to take the form of a deer to lure Rama away from Sita for a while during which Ravana would carry out his evil deed of nabbing Sita. Aware of Rama's prowess, Maricha tries to dissuade Ravana but the latter unleashes his wrath to which the former surrenders. However, in the back Maricha's mind is a consolation that his end would be in Rama's hand. On the appointed day, Maricha assumes the form of an outlandishly beautiful deer and appears near Rama, Sita & Lakshmana's dwelling in Panchavati forest. The golden deer with silver spots mesmerized Sita evoking an irresistible urge to possess it. She begs, pleads and manipulates the unwilling Rama to give in. Lakshmana sensing a vile force in the deer tries to dissuade Rama but fails. Rama commands Lakshmana to guard Sita while he goes after the deer. Once out of sight, Rama's arrow hits Maricha reveals his true form, and cries out for help taking Sita and Lakshmana's names mimicking Rama's voice before dying. Rama realizes the trickery but it's a bit late.

Meanwhile at the hut, hearing the impersonated cries, Sita becomes uncontrollable and forces Lakshmana to rescue Rama. Lakshmana draws three lines around their hut and warns Sita not to cross-over under any circumstance and goes in search of Rama. As soon as Lakshmana leaves, Ravana appears at the hut in the form of an ascetic seeking alms. In our culture, one seeking alms is never to be sent empty hand. Sita noticing the ascetic steps out of the hut with a bowl of fruits then remembers Lakshmana's warning. Seeing Sita hesitate Ravana cunningly manipulates Sita with his words to which Sita yields. The second Sita steps across Lakshman-Rekha, Ravana reveals his real form, grabs hold of the terrified Sita and flees Panchavati.

Now, when we look back at the emotional failures in this story, there are lessons to be learnt.

sculpture of Maricha's end at Vijaya Vittala Devastana

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