18/01/2015
Sree Chattampi Swamikal
Chattampi Swamikal (b:1853 - d:1924) was one of Kerala’s famed social reform activists and learned men. Chattampi Swamikal worked in parallel with his contemporary and soul mate Sree Narayana Guru to bring social equality to an otherwise heavily ritualistic and caste ridden Hindu society that prevailed around the late 19th and early 20th centuries across the present-day Kerala (erstwhile princely states of Travancore, and Kochi and the British-ruled Malabar District of Madras Presidency).
Chattampi Swamikal encouraged the Nair community to resist Brahmin hegemony in religion, administrative services and society in general. Swamikal also worked for the emancipation of Nair women from the clutches of Brahmin exploitation and encouraged women to come the fore to play their respectable roles in the soceity . He said that the enslavement of woman is a manifestation of male arrogance. Swamikal encouraged vegetarianism and professed non-violence (Ahimsa). He was open to learning other religions and authored several literary works on spirituality and the history of language.
One peculiarity was he was known by more than one names among his disciples. The swamy's original name was Ayyappan, although he was later known as Kunjan Pillai.His another name was Shanmughadasan. In later life his formal sanyasi name was Sree Vidyadhiraja Parama Bhattaraka Chattampi Swamikal.
SREE VIDYADHIRAJA, PARAMA BHATTARAKA CHATTAMBI SWAMIKAL was a great rishi and a realised soul .He initiated a large number of people to spiritual pursuits . Swamiji was also a social reformer and worked hard to free the society from blind beliefs and outmoded rituals. Swamiji was a good scolar in vedas and also in history, language and literature, philology and linguistics.
Chattambi Swamikal was a Saint more aptly described as an Avadoodha lived in between 1853-1924, was a scholar with a multi-talented personality and his divine powers were famous all over the state of Kerala. When the Saint went to ' Maha samadhi' [gave-up the mortal body], the body was buried in the conventional 'Samadhi'way. and the 'Samadhistanam' became a temple with an Asramam for service and spiritual practises.
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 1925, 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.
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
Literary works of Chattampi Swamikal
Chattampi Swamikal had authored the following books and literary interpretations:
Adibhasha
Advaithachintapaddhati
Bhasha Padma Purana Abhiprayam
Chirsthumatha Saram
Christhumathachhedanam
Devarchha Padhadhiyoude Upodhkhadam
Devei Manasa Pooja Sthothram (Interpretation)
Jeeva Karunnya Niroopanam
Keralathile Desa Namangal
Malayalathile Chila Sthana Namangal
Mokshapradipakhandanam
Nijanandha Vilasom
Praacheena Malayalam
Pranavavum Sankhya Dersanavum
Prapanchathil Sthree Purashanmarkkulla Sthanam
Sarvamatha Samarasyam
Srichakrapoojakalpam
Vedadhikara Nirupanam
