Rare stone inscription on ‘Kapalikas’ found: Kapalikas (worshippers of Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva)

Kapalikas (worshippers of Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva)

·        Nearly 1,000-year-old rare stone inscription on Kapalikas (worshippers of Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva) was found in Raichur district by a professor of Kannada University, Hampi.

·        This is the first time that we have got an inscription that throws light on the presence of Kapalikas in South India in general and Karnataka in particular

No documentary evidence

·        Though there were references to Kapalikas in a very few inscriptions found in northern India as well as Karnataka, there were no documentary evidences about their presence.

·         Kapalika was a mysterious cult known for human sacrifice and immolation among other things.

·        The inscription, found above a cave atop a hilly area, two km away from Maliyabad village in Raichur district, is undated. However, based on the nature of the script, which is in ancient Kannada, it is presumed to be from mid 1,000 AD.

·         The inscription also refers to a ‘Kankala Gorava’ who had masteredSomasiddantha or Kapalika Siddantha .

·         It states that though Soma Siddanthis led a lavish life, they had a cordial relationship with the society.

·        The finding assumes significance especially in the wake of the lack of information about Kapalikas in any literature in Indian language

Source: The Hindu