Summary
In this vachana, Basavanna instructs the mind directly. Do not get lost in play. Do not regret after doing good, O mind.
Do not err when joined with others. Do not say, “I have nothing,” to those who ask.
Do not enter worldly talk. Instead, fold yourself in humility and seek Kudalasangama’s Sharanas. The teaching is practical: the mind must be guarded in pleasure, goodness, company, giving, speech, and Sharana-refuge.
Imagery & Symbolic Relevance
The first image is play. Play represents dispersive movement, where the mind spends itself without inward care.
The second image is doing good and then regretting it. Basavanna warns the mind not to turn back after a good act. Goodness must not be followed by inner shrinking.
The third image is company. When joined with others, the mind must not lose its measure or fall into error.
The fourth image is the one who asks. When someone comes asking, the mind must not refuse by saying, “I have nothing.” This makes generosity part of discipline.
The fifth image is worldly talk. Speech that belongs only to worldly movement is to be avoided.
The final image is seeking Kudalasangama’s Sharanas with folded humility. The mind is not left in restraint alone; it is directed toward living refuge.
Together, these images show disciplined living. The mind must not scatter in play, regret goodness, err in company, refuse the one who asks, or waste itself in worldly speech. It must seek the Sharanas.
Lingayoga
In Lingayoga, this vachana brings discipline into ordinary movement. Practice is not only sitting before the Linga; it is also how the mind behaves in play, service, company, giving, and speech.
The seeker must guard the mind from dissipation and from refusal. Generosity, restraint, and Sharana-refuge become part of the same path.
The practical movement here is directed humility. Basavanna asks the mind to leave worldly talk and approach Kudalasangama’s Sharanas with folded surrender.
Editorial Commentary
This vachana should be read as a practical rule for the mind. Basavanna does not give an abstract doctrine here. He gives instructions for daily conduct: do not scatter, do not regret good action, do not err in company, do not refuse those who ask, do not waste speech, and seek the Sharanas.
Related Vachana
Supporting Vachana
Bhakta Sthala Vachana 34 — The Restless Monkey and the Plea for Grace
Bhakta Sthala Vachana 34 supports this vachana by showing the mind running toward sense-objects and praying to remain at Kudalasangama Deva’s feet. Vachana 279 carries that same concern into disciplined conduct: the mind must not scatter in play, company, refusal, or worldly speech, but must seek Kudalasangama’s Sharanas.
Advancing Vachana
Prasadi Sthala Vachana 630 — When Remembrance Dies
Prasadi Sthala Vachana 630 advances this movement by showing the consequence of losing right orientation. Vachana 279 tells the mind to avoid worldly talk and seek the Sharanas. Vachana 630 carries this into Prasadi Sthala, where wrong seeing, wrong speech, and forgetfulness of Kudalasangama Deva are named as inner death. The disciplined mind must therefore mature into continuous remembrance.
