Chattampi Swamikal

Chattampi Swamikal (b:1853 - d:1924) was a Hindu sage and one of Kerala’s famed religious and social reformer. Chattampi Swamikal along with his contemporary Sree Nārāyana Guru, reformed the then heavily ritualistic and caste ridden Hindu society that prevailed around the late 19th and early 20th centuries across the present-day Kerala Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... For the rap album, see 1924 (album). ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... Narayana Guru It has been suggested that the section Sri Narayana Guru from the article Ezhava be merged into this article or section. ... Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of social classification, that evolved due to the enormous diversity in India (where all three primary races met, not by forced slavery but by immigration). ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ...

Chattampi Swamikal denounced Namboothiri Brahmin domination in Kerala Hinduism citing sources from Vedas. Swamikal also worked for the emancipation of women and encouraged women to come the forefront of society . He said that the enslavement of woman is a manifestation of male arrogance. Swamikal encouraged vegetarianism and professed non-violence (Ahimsa). He strongly opposed Christian missionaries and Christianity. He authored several literary works on spirituality and the history of language. Language(s) Malayalam, knowledge of Sanskrit Religion(s) Hinduism Related ethnic groups Panch-Dravida Brahmins, Pushpaka Brahmins, Nair, Iyer, Iyengar Namboothiri Brahmins (Malayalam :നമ്പൂതിരി) are the upper class Brahmins of Kerala, who are considered the most orthodox Brahmins in India. ... For animals adapted to eat primarily plants, sometimes referred to as vegetarian animals, see Herbivore. ... Ahimsa (Devanagari: ; IAST ) is a Sanskrit term meaning non-violence (literally: the avoidance of violence - himsa). ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is...

Chattampi Swamikal was known by different names through his intellectually and spiritually enriched life. The swamy's original name is said to have been Ayyappan, although he was later known as Kunjan Pillai and also as Shanmughadasan. In later life his formal name as a respected sage was Sree Vidyadhiraja Parama Bhattaraka Chattampi Swamikal.

Early life

The swamy's father was Vasudeva Sarma and mother Manga Devi of Ullukod tharavad of Kollur village in southern Travancore. It is said that in his youth Kunjan Pillai even took to manual labour as a brick worker and also later worked as document writer in Neyyattinkara town, near the city of Thiruvananthapuram. , Thiruvananthapuram   (Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം Tiruvanantapuraṁ), also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. ...

The young Kunjan Pilla trained yoga under his guru Thykattu Ayyavu. He was later a disciple of Perunnalli Krishnan Vaidyar, a renowned scholar and physician of Central Travancore. When under the scholarship of Perunnalli Krishnan Vaidyar, Kunjan Pillai earned the name Chattampi on account of his assignment as the monitor of the class . Kunjan Pillai also gained the name Shanmukhadasan on account of his deep devotion to Lord Subramanya. For other uses such as Yoga postures, see Yoga (disambiguation) Statue of Shiva performing Yogic meditation Yoga (Sanskrit: योग Yoga, IPA: ) is a group of ancient spiritual practices originating in India. ...

Soul mate of Nānu Āśān

It was at Pettayil Raman Pillai Asan's Kudi Pallikoodam ( Gurukulam) that Chattampi Kunjan Pilla first met the young Nānu Āśān (later known as Sree Nārāyana Guru. By then Chattampi Kunjan Pillai was well versed in yoga and spiritual matters and their meeting proved to be the start of a profound and cherished companionship, although the two were of different temperaments. In those days Nānu Āśān was a soft-spoken introvert and Chattampi Kunjan Pilla an outspoken extrovert. When around 1884 Nānu Āśān was searching for a guru to teach him advanced yoga, Chattampi Swamikal took Nānu Āśān to his guru Thykkattu Ayyavu. Narayana Guru It has been suggested that the section Sri Narayana Guru from the article Ezhava be merged into this article or section. ...

Later Nānu Āśān and Chattampi Swamikal travelled together to many places in their quest for truth and spiritual knowledge. It was with Chattampi Swamikal that Nārāyana Guru made his first trip to Aruvippuram, which was chosen as Nārāyana Guru's abode for meditation and spiritual activity. Chattampi Swamikal however did not stay there for long, although the two maintained their contacts, respect and regard for each other.

Maha Samadhi

Prior to his Maha Samadhi (renunciation of the mortal body), Chattampi Swamikal was seriously ill and bedridden for a period of thirteen months. After Swamikal went into Maha Samadhi in 1924, his mortal remains were enshrined at his Samadhistanam at Panmana near Kollam. The site is today called Panmana Ashramam, which is a centre for social service and spiritual practices. , For the district with the same name, see Kollam District. ...

Teachings of Chattampi Swamikal

• Avoid boastful thoughts about your physical achievements and material accumulations. Contemplate over the ultimate reality of existence. That alone will give meaning to life

• The whole universe is the manifestation of the one. The apparent differences between different objects are only an illusion. An understanding of this truth will lead to liberation and salvation

• This universe is the manifestation of but one mind. Alienation between one mind and another mind is unnatural. The mind of man is in no way different from the mind of any other creature

• Enslavement of woman is a manifestation of male arrogance. It is against all canons of justice and ethics. It is criminal, immoral

Major works of Chattampi Swamikal

• Nijananda Vilasam ( Published by Narayana Gurukulam,Srinivasapuram,Varkala)
• Kristhumathachedanam ( Published by Kurukshethra Prakasan,Kaloor,Cochin)
• Pracheena Malayalam ( Published by Kurukshethra Prakasan,Kaloor,Cochin)
• Vedathikara Niroopanam ( Published by Kurukshethra Prakasan,Kaloor,Cochin)
• Pillathalolippu
• Advaithachintha padhati

External links

• Panmana Ashram