Virashaivism did not glorify celibacy
nor did it ever condemn marriage.
As regards Basava' s Virashaivism, there still are many controversies.
Virashaivism insisted that its followers should develop single-
minded devotion to one God, Shiva.
Guru is the teacher who initiates a person into Virashaivism and gives the linga.
Jagadeva repented his action and took an oath that he would atone for evil act by killing an enemy of Virashaivism.
One opinion is that Basava was the founder of Virashaivism and the history of this religion could be traced
from the middle of the twelfth century.
Virashaivism advocates the path of' devotee-
wife' and' God- husband', which means that a devotee, whether male or female, could put himself into the position of a wife and worship God as his husband.
Virashaivism asked two things of an individual:
firstly, he should sever his connections with his former religion and get initiated into the new religion by wearing ishta linga on the body; secondly, he should have complete faith in God Shiva.