Within the Lingayat tradition, a constellation of saints and poets embodies both ardent devotion to Shiva and a deep concern for social transformation. At the center stands Basavanna (Basava), revered as the founder and principal architect of the movement’s philosophical and social vision. His vachanas, or brief prose-poems, articulate a radical reorientation of religious life toward inner experience, ethical conduct, and equality. Alongside him, Allama Prabhu emerges as a mystic and philosopher-saint whose highly symbolic utterances probe the nature of ultimate reality, while also serving as a spiritual guide within the early community.

Equally significant is Akka Mahadevi (also known as Mahadeviyakka), whose life and poetry exemplify an uncompromising devotion to Shiva that transcends conventional social norms. Her vachanas, addressed to her chosen deity, convey an intense interiority and a willingness to renounce worldly ties in pursuit of spiritual union. Channabasavanna, Basavanna’s nephew and disciple, extends this legacy, contributing both to the literary corpus and to the consolidation of the movement’s ethical and social ideals. Together, these figures illustrate how spiritual insight and social critique can be woven into a single fabric.

The tradition also honors Siddharama (Siddharameshwara), remembered as a saint-poet and social reformer whose vachanas unite contemplative depth with active concern for social welfare. His example underscores the Lingayat emphasis on integrating devotion, work, and service into a coherent spiritual path. Devara Dasimayya, often regarded as a precursor to the later movement, offers early devotional poetry that anticipates key Lingayat themes, especially the inward turn toward direct relationship with Shiva beyond rigid ritualism. Through such sharanas, the Lingayat heritage reveals a rich tapestry in which poetry, philosophy, and social ethics mutually illuminate one another.