Shree Basaveshwara a universal man, who brought about a total revolution pertaining to different spheres of Life such as religion, philosophy, social, economical, political, literary fields etc. Basaveshwara was a mystic, the treasurer of Lord's love, social reformer and visionary. He evolved "Vishva Manava Dharma", a religious order based on humanism and scientific spirituality. He preached dignity of labour declaring that "Work is worship". The greatness of Basaveshwara and Sharanas was, they preached what they practised; and practised what they preached. They never compromised with the truth.

Sharanas and Vachan Sahitya:

The revolution of Sharanas under the stewardship of Basavaeshvara in the field of social reformation was an illuminating chapter in the history of 12th century. Sharanas were beacon lights focussing the values of compassion and co-existence. Sharanas adapted their mystical experiences to the social needs of the times and awakened people's consciousness effectively by giving expression to their thoughts in lucid Kannada which can be easily understood by the masses. Sharanas composed their vachanas keeping in view people's problems, solved them through their works by awakening among the people an inner urge for following the righteous path. Vachana sahitya has evolved as an instrument for reformation of society and movement. Vachana sahitya is collective creation. It is an experience churned out of mutual discussions and exchange of views and ideas among the Sharanas. Sharanas have poured fourth into vachanas their mystic outpourings for the benefit of humanity. Moreover, vachana sahitya doesn't merely reflect he contemporary events, it portrays the universal values comprehensively and offers remedies for social maladies. It is uniquely with time-tested values which are evident in the interaction with the joys and sorrows of the world. It creates an awareness of what goes on around us and our environment.

Compassion and humanitarianism:

There is no religion without compassion and human values. Humanity which is nothing but compassion is the highest virtue of man. Basavana was synonymous of compassion. Basaveshwara was a true model of perfect human being who practised Human Rights in both thought and action being an integrated person in and out. He was universal man and strongly advocated all Human Rights for all as early as 12th century. He preached universal brotherhood and practised equality. Basavana was one of the greatest humanists that the world has produced so far. He gave the message of humanity coupled with compassion. He declared that there is no religion without compassion and compassion is the root of religion.

What is a religion without compassion?
Compassion is most needed in every living being
Compassion is the base for any religion,
my adorned and worshipped lord
Kudalasangamadeva does not accept any religion without compassion.

Anubhava Mantap:

Basaveshwara established "Anubhava Mantapa" as a spiritual academy to deliberate on the social and religious thoughts. There is no parallel in the history of spiritual movements to Basava where a reformist or spiritual leader had adopted the democratic method for laying down the path of spiritual advancement and social reformation based on free thinking of people meeting together. Anubhava Mantapa was the assemblage of all Sharanas of the time from breadth and length of India, holding discussions and implementing deliberations for the welfare of humanity. The greatest of the mystics, Allam Prabhudeva was the Speaker of this academy. Here in this academy both men and women had equal opportunities to participate in the deliberations. After deliberations they used to reach the conclusions embodied in the form of Vachanas. The Sharanas for socio-spiritual pursuits conveyed these guiding principles to society at large. Anubhava Mantap was the most democratic organisation built by Basaveshwara and he was a pioneer in this respect.

Kayaka (Holiness of Work)- Dasoha (Devine Charity):

Kayaka-Dasoha is a straight path leading to the material and spiritual progress of an individual as preached and practised by Guru Basaveshwara and other Sharana's in the 12th century. The work done with the sense of dedication, sincerity and honesty is Kayak. When the part of the money earned by Kayaka is given back to the welfare of the society, becomes Dasoha. Thus Kayaka and Dasoha are the two faces of the same coin. While the principle of Kayaka stressed production of wealth, the principle of Dasoha dealt with distribution of that wealth to the welfare of the society. Basaveshwara upheld the dignity and divinity of the labour and removed the sense of discrimination among the classes of society as high or low by virtue of which all types of jobs were given equal status. If a society was to become a happy and self-sufficient unit, Sharanas emphasized all who formed its constituent parts must work hard and realise the importance of Kayak or holy work. In their eyes, living under the obligation of others as parasites was no living at all. The main objective of Dasoha is to build a strong and self sufficient society. As the wealth is amassed, the fear and fascination develops to make man greedy. To control and subdue man of his ego or delusion, dasoha was given by Basaveshwara.

Hence it is necessary to adopt Kayaka and Dasoha principle for the re-construction and socio-economic development of the society even today. Basaveshwara and Sharana's preached and prctised the principle "Work is the abode of God" (Kayakave Kailas).

Aydakki Marayya, who is great exponent of Kayaka principle and exemplary in implementing this principle declares

If one is busy with the Kayaka, one can
Even forgo seeing his Guru, Jangama and worship of Linga
because Kayaka itself is "Heaven".

Socialism:

Basaveshwara may be called first socialist of all times. Submission and dedication were is his breaths. Never agreeing to sit idol and snatch from others ti enjoy oneself, he brought divine duty principle in practise. He showed it in his practical life." Work is heaven" is his highest and sublime principle. Through this he preached the socialism ideals that one should work hard, one should limit his savings and amassing wealth. Further he went on to say one's earning shouldn't be enjoyed by oneself but should be shared with others in society. By practising these principles, as long back as in 12th century Basaveshwara brought equality in social and economic fields. He illustrated his idea in a vachana.

When a crow finds even a little food,
Does it not call all other crows?
When a hen finds a little food,
Doesn't it not share with the other hens?
If a devotee of God doesn't share with other devotes,
Then such a devotee is inferior to a crow or hen.

Simplicity:

Simplicity brings popularity by itself. This is the topmost of all virtues. This limits one's needs and it scatters away egoistic feelings. Instead of thinking oneself as higher that other, it gives more pleasure to think one self lower than other. Feeling to be an humble servant of society gives higher pleasure and satisfaction. Simple living is the mark of real happiness and naturalness.
Basaveshwara illustrate this in the following vachana,

No one is lower to me
No one is higher than real devotee of God
This is the highest truth for me
I say this at your holy feet
as evidence and also my inner self as evidence

Following is one of the thousands of vachanas of Shree Basaveshwara:

The power of knowledge destroys ignorance;
The power of light dissipates darkness;
The power of truth is foe of all untruth;
The sharana's experience of god is the sole cure of worldliness;
O Lord Kudala Sangamadeva.