Summary
Basavanna addresses the one who claims that the Veda is self-born and asks him to listen to what Śruti itself proclaims.
Śruti declares that Rudra is the one God without a second and continues its testimony concerning His wondrous greatness.
Basavanna completes the declaration by identifying Kudalasangama Deva alone as the maker of the world.
Imagery & Symbolic Relevance
The opening phrase, “the Veda is self-born,” presents a claim concerning scriptural authority. Basavanna does not merely accept the claim or dismiss it; he turns toward the claimant and asks him to listen carefully.
The declaration “one God, Rudra, without a second” gives the central teaching. The word “one” removes plurality, while “without a second” leaves no equal or competing Divine centre.
The appeal “believe this, see this” asks that Śruti’s statement be received as conviction rather than repeated only as scriptural wording.
The next Sanskrit expression is introduced as another proclamation of Śruti. Its function in the vachana is to reinforce the extraordinary and incomparable nature of the One being declared.
The final line moves from scriptural testimony to direct identification. The maker of the world is not left unnamed: Basavanna declares that Kudalasangama Deva alone is that One.
The repeated appeal to “see” gives urgency to the vachana. The teaching is not offered as textual information alone; it must become recognition.
Lingayoga
In Lingayoga, sacred learning must lead to undivided recognition of the Linga.
The seeker should not merely defend the authority of scripture while overlooking its central declaration. What Śruti proclaims must shape inward orientation and remove divided refuge.
The final identification of Kudalasangama Deva as the one maker gathers scriptural understanding into direct devotion.
The practice-point is to hear sacred testimony accurately and allow its declaration of the One without a second to become steady recognition.
Editorial Commentary
The opening line is directed toward the claimant who says that the Veda is self-born. Basavanna’s immediate concern is whether that claimant has truly heard what the Veda and Śruti declare.
The vachana should therefore not be read simply as rejection of scripture. It uses Śruti’s own testimony to correct an incomplete or merely verbal appeal to scriptural authority.
The supplied title remains only an identifier. The Kannada itself moves from a claim about the Veda, through Śruti’s proclamation, to the identification of Kudalasangama Deva as the sole maker of the world.
Related Vachana
Supporting Vachana
Sharana Sthala Vachana 208 — The Scripture of the Heart
Sharana Vachana 208 questions the greatness of Shastra, Veda, and Śruti when they remain formal authorities without revealing Kudalasangama Deva in lived truth.
This prepares Vachana 530 directly. Sharana Vachana 208 demands that scripture lead to actual recognition; Aikya Vachana 530 listens to Śruti’s own declaration and identifies the One of whom it speaks as Kudalasangama Deva. What is demanded as lived verification in Sharana becomes direct affirmation in Aikya.
Advancing Vachana
Aikya Sthala Vachana 531 — Smaller Than the Smallest
Vachana 530 declares through Śruti that Rudra is without a second and identifies Kudalasangama Deva as the maker of the world.
Vachana 531 advances this recognition by showing that the One cannot be contained within ordinary measures: He is smaller than the smallest, greater than the greatest, and beyond the mind’s grasp.
Thus, the singularity affirmed in Vachana 530 deepens in Vachana 531 into a presence beyond comparison and conceptual measure.
