Veerashaiva

Veerashaivism is a sect within the Shaivism fold of Hinduism. According to tradition, it was transmitted by Panchacharyas, (Kannada: ಪಂಚಾಚಾರ್ಯರು, romanized: paṃcācāraya from Sanskrit: पंचचार्य, romanized: pañcācārya), or five acharyas: Renukacharya, Darukacharya, , , , and first taught by Renukacharya to Agastya, a Vedic seer. The preachings of Jagadguru Renukacharya Bhagavadpada to rishi Agastya is recorded in the form of a book, Shri Siddhantha Shikhamani, which is regarded as an important holy book for the Veerashaivas. This text is likely a 8th century work, and it likely contains the earliest reference to Veerashaivism in literature. rdf:langString