"Gospel of Basava" is translation of vachanas in English by Late V C Yagati and edited by S R Gunjal (Santubai Apartment, Court Rd., Dharwad --1, Tel: 0835 - 6561011), Published by Basava Samithi, Bangalore.
It is interesting to know that Late Sri Yagati translated 956 musings (vachanas) of Basava in 1950 and kept it in type script for more than fifty years! Though he was in the legal profession, he did devote his time for research and scholastic endeavours. Later on Dr S R Gunjal who wrote biography of Sri Yagati (Published by the Institute of Veera Shaiva Studies, Gadag, 1993) studied thoroughly and wrote introduction consisting of
1) Parliament of Religious experience
2) Basava, a rising Sun
3) Vachana Bhandar - Establishment of Public Library
4) P. G. Halakatti
5) Works attributed to Basava. A brief review of the three kinds of works of Basava are as follows:
i) (a) Vachanas classified into six spiritual stages (Shatsthala vachanas)
i) (b) Additional vachanas (Hechchina vachanas)
ii) Musical verses (Swara vachanas)
iii) Vachanas of prophecy (Kaalajnana vachanas)
6) Translation of Vachanas of Basava
7) Translation of traditional collection and additional vachanas
8) Traditional collection translated by V.C. Yagati
9) The Gospel of Basava - A brief critical review
10) Notes on some vachanas
11) Signs of Indication from English to Kannada vachanas
12) A Bibliograpy on Basava
This is a great book for English readers of vachanas of Basava, the twelfth century revolutionary philosopher-poet and statesman-mystic. As mentioned by Prof. Dan.A. Chekki, Professor Emeritus, The University of Winnipeg, Canada, in his introduction in this book; these conise poetic -prose musings articulate a blend of the material and spiritual values, and enunciate a code of conduct and a system of spiritual self-illumination. Along with translation, a detailed introduction by Dr S R Gunjal with many chapters to support the treasure of Vachanas for our readers.
Copy of this book can be purchased from Basava Samithi of Bangalore for IRs 150.00 + Postage & Handling. it is hardbound book of about 435 pages, clear print. Please find copy of the cover page of this book as scanned attachment.
Dr Lingappa Kalburgi
