Summary
In this vachana, Basavanna prays that desire for gold, fine cloth, or worldly possession should not arise in him today or tomorrow.
The concern is not only possession, but the inward wanting that gives possession its power. Gold and cloth stand for objects that may enter the mind as attachment, security, status, or self-display.
Basavanna invokes Kudalasangama Deva and the Lord’s Pramathas as witnesses. If such desire arises, he places himself under their truth and correction.
The vachana ends in exclusive refuge: other than Kudalasangama Deva’s Sharanas, Basavanna says he knows no other. The teaching is direct: desire must be guarded at its arising, and the seeker must remain turned toward the Sharanas alone.
Imagery & Symbolic Relevance
Gold is the first image. It represents wealth, possession, accumulation, and the inward pull toward material security.
Fine cloth is the second image. It represents adornment, appearance, refinement, and the desire to be clothed in worldly or social value.
Today and tomorrow form the image of continuing vigilance. Basavanna does not assume that desire has been conquered once and for all. He guards against its arising now and later.
The invocation of Kudalasangama Deva and the Pramathas gives the vachana its seriousness. Basavanna places desire under sacred witness, because the mind may excuse what the path must correct.
The Sharanas are the final refuge. The movement of the vachana is not toward empty denial, but toward living alignment with those who belong to Kudalasangama Deva.
The imagery therefore moves from gold and cloth, to possible future desire, to sacred witness, and finally to exclusive refuge in the Sharanas.
Lingayoga
In Lingayoga, this vachana teaches vigilance over desire before it becomes possession, identity, or attachment.
The practice-point is direct: do not allow gold, cloth, or their equivalents to become inward objects of longing. If desire begins to arise, place it before Kudalasangama Deva, the Pramathas, and the field of the Sharanas.
For Sharana Sthala, this is purified refuge. The Sharana does not merely reject objects outwardly; he refuses to let desire occupy the inner field. His refuge is not wealth, appearance, or possession, but the Sharanas of Kudalasangama Deva.
Editorial Commentary
The key movement of this vachana is preventive vigilance. Basavanna does not boast that desire has been permanently removed. He prays that if desire for gold or cloth arises today or tomorrow, it should be brought under the truth of Kudalasangama Deva and His Pramathas. The closing line should remain central: other than the Lord’s Sharanas, no second refuge is known.
Related Vachana
Supporting Vachana
Pranalingi Sthala Vachana 761 — Not for Wages
Pranalingi Vachana 761 supports this teaching by refusing work, worship, or prayer performed for reward, treasure, or the rain of gold. There, Basavanna asks only for sadbhakti, true devotion. Vachana 436 carries that purification into Sharana Sthala: desire for gold, cloth, or possession must not arise as an inward claim, and the seeker must remain guarded by Kudalasangama Deva, the Pramathas, and the Sharanas.
Advancing Vachana
Aikya Sthala Vachana 1022 — The Vigilance of Complete Offering
Aikya Vachana 1022 advances this teaching by showing the state in which desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride, and jealousy no longer disturb awareness as separate enemies. The elements become Prasada, the senses become doorways, and vigilance remains as the natural state. Vachana 436 prays that desire for gold or cloth should not arise; Aikya Vachana 1022 carries this into Aikya, where desire has no separate ground to occupy and all is gathered into Kudalasangama Deva.
