Summary
In this vachana, Basavanna speaks from intense longing for Kudalasangama Deva’s Sharanas.
They said, “We will come,” but they have not come. Basavanna remains looking at the garments. The image is sharp: visible coverings may be seen, but the living presence he longs for has not arrived.
He then asks whom he can send, whom he can send again, and whose feet he can hold. These questions show helpless longing. He does not seek ordinary company; he seeks the feet of the Lord’s Sharanas.
The final line gives the measure of his dependence. If Kudalasangama’s Sharanas do not come, he says he will cast off his life. Life without Sharana-presence becomes unbearable to him.
The teaching is direct: the Sharana’s life is sustained by the living presence of Kudalasangama Deva’s Sharanas. Outer forms are not enough; the feet of the realized Sharanas are the refuge he seeks.
Imagery & Symbolic Relevance
The promised arrival is the first image. “They said they would come” creates expectation, longing, and waiting. The absence becomes spiritually charged because the ones awaited are the Lord’s Sharanas.
The garments are the second image. Basavanna says he is looking at garments. Garments are visible coverings; they may show the outer form of people passing or appearing. But they do not satisfy the longing for the living Sharana.
The contrast between garment and Sharana is important. Basavanna is not asking for outward appearance, clothing, or devotional identity. He seeks those whose presence carries Kudalasangama Deva’s path.
The repeated question, “Whom shall I send?” gives the vachana its urgency. Basavanna has no easy messenger, no simple way to bring the Sharanas near. Longing itself becomes helpless prayer.
The feet are the central positive image. To hold the feet is to enter reverence, refuge, and surrendered relation. Basavanna does not ask to debate with the Sharanas or receive honor from them. He asks whose feet he may hold.
The final image is life itself being cast off. This should not be softened into mere sadness. Basavanna is saying that without the coming of Kudalasangama’s Sharanas, life loses its sustaining ground.
The movement of the vachana is therefore from promised arrival, to absence, to garments seen without living fulfillment, to the search for feet, and finally to life made dependent upon the coming of Kudalasangama Deva’s Sharanas.
Lingayoga
In Lingayoga, this vachana teaches that the path is sustained through living Sharana-presence.
The seeker should ask: am I satisfied with garments, forms, and outer signs, or do I seek the feet of those who live in Kudalasangama Deva? Do I treat Sharana-sanga as optional, or as the sustaining field of the path?
For Sharana Sthala, the practice-point is clear: do not reduce devotion to outward forms or solitary claim. Long for the presence of Kudalasangama’s Sharanas, and seek refuge at their feet.
Editorial Commentary
The force of the vachana lies in the visible contrast: garments may be seen, but the Sharanas have not come. Basavanna’s longing is not for religious appearance, but for the living feet of Kudalasangama Deva’s Sharanas.
Related Vachana
Supporting Vachana
Pranalingi Sthala Vachana 371 — Better Death Than Separation
Pranalingi Vachana 371 says that separation from Kudalasangama Deva’s Sharanas is more unbearable than death.
This directly prepares Vachana 738, where garments and outward signs cannot replace living Sharana-presence, without which Basavanna finds life itself unsustainable.
Advancing Vachana
Aikya Sthala Vachana 838 — The Abidance Where All Becomes One
Aikya Vachana 838 advances this teaching by showing what Sharana-company finally establishes. Through the company of Kudalasangama Deva’s Sharanas, Atma becomes Linga, Paramatma becomes Jangama, the body becomes Prasada, and the seeker rests in untroubled abidance. This is the natural advancement from Vachana 738. Vachana 738 longs for the Sharanas to come and seeks their feet as life-sustaining refuge; Aikya Vachana 838 shows the fulfilled fruit of that company, where Sharana-sanga matures into complete abidance in Kudalasangama Deva.
