Summary
Basavanna says he is weakened by the five senses and the seven bodily elements. His understanding is disturbed by the distortions of the mind, and his steadiness is shaken by the afflictions of the body.
The movement of the vachana is direct. The senses, mind, and body are each named as sources of disturbance. Having seen this condition, Basavanna does not claim strength over them. He takes refuge in Kudalasangama Deva.
Imagery & Symbolic Relevance
The five senses and seven bodily elements form the first field of affliction. Basavanna says he is weakened by them. The concern is not theoretical; it is the felt weakening of the seeker.
The mind’s distortion forms the second field. Because of this, understanding is disturbed. The mind does not remain clear when it is affected by its own distortions.
The body’s affliction forms the third field. Because of this, steadiness is shaken. The body is not presented as stable ground here, but as another source of disturbance.
The final movement is refuge. Basavanna gathers the weakness of the senses, disturbance of the mind, and shaking of the body into one act: he takes refuge in Kudalasangama Deva.
Lingayoga
In Lingayoga, the relevance of this vachana lies in the movement given by the source: the seeker recognizes disturbance through the senses, mind, and body, and turns to Kudalasangama Deva as refuge.
The practice-point is simple: when the senses weaken, the mind disturbs, and the body shakes steadiness, the seeker must take refuge in Kudalasangama Deva.
Editorial Commentary
This vachana should be read as a compact confession of limitation. Basavanna does not elaborate a doctrine of the senses, mind, or body. He names their effect upon him and moves immediately to refuge. The force of the vachana lies in this directness: disturbance is recognized, and refuge is taken.
Related Vachana
Supporting Vachana
Pranalingi Sthala Vachana 797 — The Inseparable Abidance in the Linga
Pranalingi Vachana 797 supports this vachana by showing that the five senses and bodily life must not be lived apart from the Linga. There, Basavanna asks how one who has received Prana-Linga can walk, speak, experience the five senses, or perform even a small bodily act apart from Linga. Sharana Vachana 43 shows the condition that arises when senses, mind, and body disturb the seeker. The support is direct: Pranalingi teaches inseparable abidance in Linga, while Sharana shows refuge in Kudalasangama Deva when the senses, mind, and body shake the seeker.
Advancing Vachana
Aikya Sthala Vachana 1100 — When Head and Feet Become One
Aikya Vachana 1100 advances this teaching by carrying refuge into direct dissolution. In Sharana Vachana 43, Basavanna is weakened by the senses and bodily elements, disturbed by the mind, shaken by the body, and therefore takes refuge in Kudalasangama Deva. In Aikya Vachana 1100, the head merges with the Lord’s feet, the body’s deceit and the mind’s distortions melt away, and inner darkness flees before the radiance of the sacred feet. Thus the Sharana-stage act of refuge advances into Aikya as direct release from the disturbances of body and mind through Kudalasangama Deva.
