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CHEKKI, Dan A., RELIGION AND SOCIAL SYSTEM OF THE VIRASAIVA COMMUNITY. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997, 149 pp., $55.00 hardcover.
Though Hinduism is the main religion of India, there are diversities (despite unity) in it and hence, differences in the styles of life of various religious communities. The book that is reviewed here is a direct evidence of it. Though originally conceived as a trinity in classical Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, the Saiva scriptures portray Siva as one .God and "Virasaiva" is so called because of the "heroic" (veera) attitude and behavior as well as the intense devotion of the followers of Virasaivism in defending their faith. Their origin is obscure, mythologically shrouded in mystery, and traditionally claimed to be of great antiquity but historically references to its practices abound in history and religious literature of south India.
Of special sociological significance is Virasaivism's egalitarian ideology, ideally subscribing to the equality of gender and all castes, and in fact rejecting priestly (Brahminical), elitism and ritualism. In order to exhibit its manifest unique characteristics and distinctive identity, they symbolically wear a prototype emblem (Linga) of Lord Siva and hence they are also called the "Lingayats". Such practices and distinctive characteristics make them a unique religious community, maintaining its own identity through their strong ethic of hard work, selfless service, diligence, thrift and sobriety, a community that is ready to adapt and face the challenges of change in India where they are some ten million strong. When they migrate abroad in countries like the United States and Canada, they carry with them the same work ethic which...