Editing Basava (section)

==Early life==
[[File:Arjunavad-inscription.jpg|thumb|[[Arjunwad|Arjunavad]] inscription of the Seuna king Kannara, dated 1260 CE An inscription related to Basava and his family details. Names references Basavaraj and Sangana Basava.]]

Basava was born in 1131 CE<ref name=carlolson/> in the town of Basavana Bagewadi in the northern part of [[Karnataka]], to Maadhavarasa and Madalambike, a Kannada Orthodox [[Brahmin]] family<ref>{{cite news|title=Basavanna, the Immortal, Being Invoked by the Mortals to Achieve Political Goals|url=https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/basavanna-the-immortal-invoked-by-the-mortals-to-achieve-political-goals-1722279.html|publisher=News18|access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref> devoted to the Hindu deity Shiva.<ref name="edrice">Edward Rice (1982), A History of Kannada Literature, Asian Educational Services, {{ISBN|978-8120600638}}, pages 52–53</ref><ref name="janpeter">Jan Peter Schouten (1995), Revolution of the Mystics: On the Social Aspects of Vīraśaivism, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120812383}}, pages 2–3</ref><ref name="skdas">SK Das (2005), A History of Indian Literature, 500–1399: From Courtly to the Popular, Sahitya Akademi, {{ISBN|978-8126021710}}, pages 161–162</ref> He was named Basava, a Kannada form of the Sanskrit ''Vrishabha'' in honor of Nandi bull (carrier of Shiva) and the local Shaivism tradition.<ref name=skdas/>

Basava grew up in [[Kudalasangama]] (northwest Karnataka), near the banks of rivers Krishna and its tributary Malaprabha.<ref name=edrice/><ref name=janpeter/> Basava spent twelve years studying in the Hindu temple in the town of Kudalasangama,<ref name=janpeter/> at Sangameshwara then a Shaivite school of learning, probably of the ''Lakulisha-Pashupata'' tradition.<ref name=skdas/>

Basava married Gangambike,<ref name=janpeter/> a cousin from his mother's side. Her father was the provincial prime minister of Bijjala, the [[Kalachuris of Kalyani|Kalachuri]] king.<ref name=edrice/><ref name=skdas/> He began working as an accountant to the court of the king.<ref name=janpeter/> When his maternal uncle died, the king invited him to be the chief minister. The king also married Basava's sister named Nagamma.<ref name=edrice/>

As chief minister of the kingdom, Basava used the state treasury to initiate social reforms and religious movement focussed on reviving Shaivism, recognizing and empowering ascetics who were called [[Jangam]]as.<ref name=edrice/> One of the innovative institutions he launched in the 12th century was the ''Anubhava Mantapa'', a public assembly and gathering that attracted men and women across various walks of life from distant lands to openly discuss spiritual, economic and social issues of life.<ref name="skdas163">SK Das (2005), A History of Indian Literature, 500–1399: From Courtly to the Popular, Sahitya Akademi, {{ISBN|978-8126021710}}, page 163</ref> He composed poetry in local language, and spread his message to the masses. His teachings and verses such as ''Káyakavé Kailása'' (Work is the path to ''Kailasa'' [bliss, heaven], or work is worship) became popular.<ref name=wisw/>