A man who sees unity among all proclaims, what need have I for a measure. A man who seeks servitude proclaims, what need have I for control. A devotee proclaims, what need have I for anything material. Likewise, if I also start doubting/questioning/criticising others view-points and commentaries. My service it is, which is being harmed. Oh KoodalaSangamadeva.
(anka) means ‘point’, here taken as a noun ‘anka’ refers to a man who sees unity in ‘soul’ and ‘god’ more specifically here the word refers to a ‘Advaitin’(non-dualist), such a man (kanda) sees i.e in his view he says (mattekayya) why do I (aase)need/desire for a (kol’u) a scale or measure. For a man who sees unity in all things sees no two things as different, so, he sees no relation between them. For him the ‘god’ and the ‘self’ are the same hence he has no requirement to quantify them with any relationship. Therefore, the renunciation for the desire to find a relation between ‘god/brahman’ and his ‘self/atman’.
(lenka)servant, here the servant is a servant of god. For a man who sees the relation between ‘god’ and ‘self’ as between master and servant. Specifically here the word refers to a “vishistAdvaitin”(qualified non-dualist), such a man (kanda) sees i.e in his view says (mattekayya) why do I (aase)need/desire for (praana)control, of life. For a man who sees ‘god’ as the ‘master’ and his ‘self’ as a ‘servant’. Lord controls his ‘self’ with ‘praana’. So, he renounces this desire for control. ‘praana’ here being the driving factor between the ‘driver:god/brahman’ and the ’driven:self/atman’.
(Bhakta) a devotee. Here it may specifically refers to the ‘dvaitin’(dualist) (kanda)sees, i.e. in his view says (mattekayya)why do I (aase)need/desire for (tanumanadana) body,mind and wealth. Thereby he is renouncing his desire for everything associated with human existence. His everything is entirely devoted to ‘god’. His relation with god can be termed as ‘love’ i.e absolute surrender.
(shankitanaadade)Likewise, if I also start questioning.’shankita’ means being doubtful.In this context Basavanna is telling if I start to doubt/criticise on (nimma) your/others (ankege) points of view, and (jhankege) your commentaries. (enna) to my (lenka) service (tanakke) it is (haani) harmful.
(Koodalasangamadeva) is the pen name of Basavanna.
What Guru Basavanna is trying to say is that, by criticising each others points of view I will end up causing harm to my service i.e. service to humanity which should be the actual purpose of human life. In Guru Basavvanna’s view, we should not end up losing this very important purpose of human existence. Basavanna is not saying anyone’s view is wrong or criticising the permise but saying we should not lose our dharma, that is to serve humanity, because of our differences.
