Allama Prabhu is included among the "Trinity of Lingayathism", along with Basavanna, the founder of the movement, and Akka Mahadevi, the most prominent woman poet.
11 Facts About Allama Prabhu
2.
Some details of the early life of Allama Prabhu are available in the writings of noted Hoysala poet Harihara, while other accounts are generally considered legendary.
3.
Allama Prabhu was a contemporary of the other famous Lingayat devotee-poets, Basavanna and Akka Mahadevi.
4.
Allama Prabhu came from a family of temple performers, was himself an expert at playing a type of drum called maddale, and his father was a dance teacher.
5.
The grief-stricken Allama Prabhu wandered aimlessly, arriving at a cave temple, where he met the saint Animisayya.
6.
The saint gave him a linga icon, blessed him with knowledge on god, and, Allama Prabhu was enlightened and transformed into a seeker of spirituality.
7.
Allama Prabhu died in Kadalivana near Srishila, and legend has it that he "became one with the linga".
8.
Allama Prabhu used his vachanas to spread Lingayathism, which is monotheistic and nondualistic, and has a strong egalitarian message.
9.
Nevertheless, Allama Prabhu's philosophy is described as monism and as non-dualism.
10.
Allama Prabhu de-emphasized the need to perfect difficult feats of Yoga and emphasized overcoming the boundaries between relative and absolute knowledge, between devotee and guru.
11.
Allama Prabhu used his poetry to teach others, voicing a spirituality that is Nirguna, yet uses Saguna devotionalism in order to metaphorically express what is inexpressible:.