Shunya Sampadane

Book excerpt: Shunya Sampadane means attainment of Shunya, the Absolute State. The term 'Shunya Sampadane' is also used to mean the text of the vachanas compiled in the form of a document or a book with a title of Shunya Sampadane. Vachana is a rhythmic prose. Shunya Sampadane is the main scripture of the Veerashaivas. It is said that the Upanishads are the authorities for the formulation of the religious as well as the philosophical concepts of Veerashaivas. Shunya Sampadane is the quintessence of the Veerashaiva Philosophy. It is composed mainly in the form of discourses between various Veerashaiva Philosophers. The central figure of Shunya Sampadane is Allama Prabhudeva. In the concluding remarks, Shunya Sampadane gives this list of nine statements:1. This is the best guide, the philosophical system of exalted Veerashaiva doctrine.2. This is that which expounds and firmly establishes the Veerashaiva practice.3. This is the crest-jewel of the divine Vedanta.4. This is the chief mirror of all the sciences.5. This is the teaching of the highest Experience to promote the Supreme Knowledge.6. This is a catalogue of those who, endowed with all kinds of religious practice, have attained the Height.7. This is a treasury of the attainment of the great Raja Yoga.8. This is a happy feast of the ambrosial essence of Existence-Consciousness-Bliss, eternal and perfect.9. This is a great conference of Prabhudeva on the attainment of Shunya - an instrument to remove ignorance.