Origin and History of BASAVANJALI

Description:

BASAVANJAL is a Hindu surname. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word 'basava' meaning 'son of Basava'. The Basava Purana, a Hindu scripture, narrates the story of Basava, a saint and devotee of the Hindu god Vishnu. The name is also found in other Indian languages, such as Marathi, Telugu, and Tamil. The Basava Purana says that Basava was born to a poor Brahmin family in the village of Basava in present-day Karnataka. Basava's father, Basavaiah, was a devotee of Vishnu and a scholar. Basava grew up in a pious household and was influenced by his father's teachings. At the age of sixteen, Basava left home to travel and learn about the world. Basava visited many holy places and met many saintly people. Basava also studied the Vedas and the scriptures of other religions. Basava renounced worldly life at the age of thirty-eight and became a monk. Basava spent the next thirty-nine years meditating in a forest near present-day Mysore. During this time, Basava wrote several books of religious poetry. Basava died in 1378 at the age of seventy-eight. Basava's followers continue to spread his teachings today. The Basava Purana is one of the most popular Hindu scriptures.