Siddarama(Siddheshwar,Siddharama,Siddharameshwar)
Siddarama (Siddarameswara swamy) of solapur is considered as one of the five prophets of Lingayat(Veershaivism)religion and a great mystic of the Kulla Kadigi community, and a Kannada poet who was a part Basavanna's Veerashaiva revolution during the 12th century.
Siddarama's Life
He was a king of Sonnaligi or Solapur. As part of Lingayat revolution in 12th century, he encouraged inter-caste marriages. He undertook many irrigation projects for the common good. He wrote many Vachanas. He saw devinity in every existence of the world. Shri Siddharameshwar was a historical figure of the 12th century whose "Karmayoga" on his own native land-Solapur, turned him into a God-figure over the course of time.There was a great saint Shri.Siddarama,who preached the teachings of Shri.Basaweshwara. A young girl, inspired by the teachings of this saint wished to marry him.Shri.Siddaram denied to marry her and gave permission to marry with his Yogadanda. The same marriage function is celebrated every year on the Makar Sankranti for three days on Bhogi, Sankrant and Kinkrant. The Nandi Dhwajas are presumed as Bride and Groom for the marriage. This festival falls around 14th Jan every year. A fare popularly known as Gadda Jatra is arranged for fifteen days during this period
Siddharama was a great conributor to Lingayata(veershaivism) religion and.He had gained the "Siddhi". As Solapur was a drought prone area, Shri Siddharameshwar dug a lake with the help of 4000 "Sharanas" to solve the problem of potable water. He entombed himself alive (Shivyogsamadhi) at Solapur.
Shivayogi Siddharama praises guru Channabasavanna in his vachana:
That blazing sun is enthroned
In the eight petelled Lotus Heart
The Moon is enthroned in the centre of that sun
Fire is seated in the centre of that moon
The glow is seated in the centre of that fire
Enlightenment dwells
In the centre of that glow
Enlightened soul resides in that enlightenment
Shiva the Supreme inhabits
The centre of that enlightened soul
Such a supreme Lord
Placed His hand on the head of my enlightened body
Forged it into a shape from the
Senses of the mind and feeling
And revealed it to my sight
And gave Linga to my palm
To the blessed feet of Channabasavanna
I bow again and again and thus
Will I live O Prabhu,
O Lord Kapilsiddha Mallikarjuna.
Siddarama wrote vachanas with the name "Kapilasidda Mallikarjuna". There are 1,679 vachanas of his. In addition to vachanas, Siddarama wrote Sthotra Threevidhigalu with "Yoginatha" as his signature. Ragavanka wrote Siddarama Charitra, the history of Siddarama. Jayadevi-thai Ligade has written Siddarama Purana.
Siddarama upholds family life in the following vachana.
Devotee falls in love with a woman
Joining her in marriage
Devotee falls in love with earth
Buys it and builds a house
Devotee falls in love with wealth
It makes him tired and it provides
Kapilasidda Mallikarjuna.
In this vachana, Siddarama says that the devotee should marry the person he loves and buy the land he loves for his house. If he falls in love with wealth, he will acquire it. However, although the wealth provides for his future, its quest will make him tired.
About Kailasa, the abode of Shiva, Siddarama says:
Listen, those who say Kailasa, Kailasa,
Kailasa is a spoiled hill on the earth
Those who are there are all thieves of life
The master is ignorant
Why talk about its glory?
Those who follow the Sadachara
With knowledge of unity with Linga
The words that come from them, Kailasa!
Kapilasidda Mallikarjuna
People are anxious to talk about Kailasa and their inhabitants. But Siddarama says that there is no Kailasa. The words of those who follow Sadachara bring glory to Kailasa, which leads to the unity of the devotee with God.