CHATTAMPI SWAMIKAL
(ചട്ടമ്പി സ്വാമികൾ )
Sree Vidyadhiraja
Parama Bhattaraka Chattampi Swamikal (1853-1924) was a Hindu sage and social reformer. His thoughts
and work influenced the launching of many social, religious, literary and
political organizations and movements in Kerala and for the first time gave
voice to those who were marginalized. Chattampi Swamikal denounced the orthodox interpretation
of Hindu texts citing sources from the Vedas. Swamikal along with his
contemporary, Narayana Guru, strived to reform the heavily ritualistic
and caste-ridden Hindu society of the late 19th century Kerala. Swamikal
also worked for the emancipation of women and encouraged them to come to the
forefront of society. Swamikal promoted non-violence (Ahimsa) Swamikal
believed that the different religions are different paths leading to the same
place. He strongly opposed the conversion activities of the Christian missionaries
but was not againstChristianity . Chattampi Swamikal throughout his
intellectually and spiritually enriched life maintained a large number of
friends from different regions of Kerala. He authored several books on
spirituality, history, and language staying with these friends.
Chattampi Swami
was born on 25 August 1853 at Kollur, a suburban village of Trivandrum in
southern Travancore .His father was Vasudeva Sharma,a Namboothiri,
from Mavelikkara and mother Nangamma a lady from Kollur. He was formally named
Ayyappan. But he was called by his pet name Kunjan by all and so was later
known as Kunjan Pillai. 'Kunjan' was the a colloquial term which meant child.
As his parents were not able to provide him formal education, he learned letters
and words from children of his neighbourhood who attended schools. Also he
learned Sanskrit by overhearing the classes at a Brahmin house nearby. Knowing
his thirst for learning an uncle took him to the traditional school conducted
by Pettayil Raman Pillai Asan, a renowned scholar and writer who taught him
without any fee. It was there that he earned the name Chattampi on account of
his assignment as the monitor of the class.
In Raman
Pillai started an academic group named 'Jnanaprajagaram' with scholars on
different subjects with progressive attitude. It served as a meeting place for
many scholars of that time and facilitated Kunjan to acquaint himself with many
great men. He also could learn Tamil from Swaminatha Desikar and philosophy
from Professor Manonmaniyam Sundaram Pillai during his participation in
'Jnanaprajagaram'. Kunjan Pillai was introduced into the science of yoga by
the Thykattu Ayyavu Swamikal a scholar and yogi who used to give lectures
at 'Jnanaprajagaram'. While so a wandering sadhu who came to his village temple
initiated him into spiritual world by giving the Balasubramanya Mantra.
Mastering this mantra gave him a new vigour and zeal and he assumed the name
Shanmukhadasa due to his deep devotion of Subramanya.
As the burden of
supporting the family fell on him, Kunjan Pillai took to many manual works. For
many days he served as a labourer carrying building materials for the
construction of Government Secretariat building in Trivandrum. For some time he
worked as a document writer and also as an advocate's clerk. He stood first in
a test for clerical posts in Government Secretariat Trivandrum conducted
by Sir T Madhava Rao the then Divan of Travancore State. But he left the
service after a short while as it curtailed his freedom and prevented his
wanderings for spiritual exploitations and research.
In one of the
Philosophical Conferences organized annually by the Travancore Kings at the
Palace complex adjacent to Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple Kunjan Pillai met Subba
Jatapadikal from Kalladaikurichin in Southern Tamil Nadu ; a renowned
teacher well versed in Tarka, Vyakarana, Mimasa, and Vedanta.Both were impressed by the
other and Kunjan's wish to learn at Kalladaikurichin under him was granted. He
spent many years learning under Subba Jatapadikal. There he acquired deep and
extensive mastery of all sastras in Tamil and Sanskrit. He also learned
Siddha medicine, music, and martial arts. During this period he was greatly
influenced by the works of Kodakanallur Sundara Swamikal a great Advaitin. He
later translated his work Nijananda Vilasam containing the cream of Vedanta
into simple Malayalam to guide spiritual aspirants. The long years at
Kalladaikurichi laid the firm foundation of his future greatness.
After completing
his studies under Subba Jatapadikal he spent long periods of learning and under
a Christian priest. In a secluded church in Southern Tamil Nadu assisting the
priest he learned Christian meditation and learned Christian Religion and philosophy.
Later he spent lived with an old Muslim well versed in Koran and Sufimysticism
who taught him the main tenet of Islam. Kunjan acquired proficiency reading
Koran in the traditional way. Leaving him he wandered for months with many
avadutas in Southern Tamil Nadu and also travelled all over India. These days
revealed to him that the basic concepts of all religions are the sameIt is
misinterpretation that causes conflicts and makes religion a tool for
oppression and subjugation.
In 1882 at the
Aniyoor Temple near Vamanapuram Chattampi Swami met another Nanu Asan three
years younger to him who was in search of spiritual guidance. By then Swami 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 (Nataraja Guru (1980). Word of the Guru. Cochin,
Paico.). In those days Nanu Asan was a soft-spoken introvert while Kunjan
Pillai an outspoken extrovert. They lived and travelled for many months
together. Swami introduced Nanu Asan to all arts and sciences he has mastered
and also gave him the Balasubrahmanya mantra. These were the formative years of
Nanu Asan who later grew into a tough saint and reformer who passed through
Kerala society as an avalanche removing injustices that prevailed there. Later
Swamikal took Nanu Asan, to his guru Thykkattu Ayyavu Swamikal .
After completing
Nanu Asan's studies under Ayyavu Swamikal they left him and wandered together
in southern Tamil Nadu where they met many saints and scholars. It was with
Chattampi Swamikal that Nanu Asan made his first trip to Aruvippuram, which was
chosen as his abode for meditation and spiritual activities. He was led to
self-realization at this beautiful and serene place. Afterward he was known as Naraya
Guru. At Aruvippuram he established a Siva temple the first such move by any
from the lower caste in the region. Chattampi Swamikal did not stay there for
long, although the two maintained their contacts, respect and regard for each
other throughout their life.
There is a funny
controversy related to their relation among their disciples who never care
about the cause for which they stood. K. Ayyappn who was close to both these
masters has in an interview to P.K Balakrishnan stated that the controversy in
the matter is meaningless and those involved are biassed for they are in no way
interested to consider the facts. But this controversy can reveal to one the
strong cost complexes that still prevail in Kerala society and the difficulties
both the masters would have faced in their attempts to reform such a society a
hundred years earlier. Biographies of Narayana Guru published in 1909. and 1913 while
he was alive records that Narayana Guru became the disciple of Swami and was
initiated into yogic practises by him. Narayana Guru himself recognizes the
inspiration from his master in one of his very important works in which he
states 'I have composed this work as per the order of the teacher named child. The
poem composed when he heard the Swami's samadhi was the only such offering
Naryana Guru has given to any human being and it reveals how he considered his
Great Master a realized soul.
|
ചട്ടമ്പിസ്വാമി ജയന്തി 27ന്
|
|
പന്മന ആശ്രമത്തില് ചട്ടമ്പിസ്വാമി ജയന്തി ആഘോഷം
27ന് നടക്കും. രാവിലെ 10.30ന് കെപിസിസി അദ്ധ്യക്ഷന് രമേശ് ചെന്നിത്തല ജയന്തി
സമ്മേളനം ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യും. മന്ത്രി ഷിബു ബേബിജോണ് അദ്ധ്യക്ഷത വഹിക്കുന്ന
ചടങ്ങില് സ്വാമി പ്രണവാനന്ദ തീര്ത്ഥപാദര് ജയന്തി സന്ദേശം നല്കും. ഡോ.
പുതുശേരി രാമചന്ദ്രന്, മുന്മന്ത്രി എന്കെ പ്രേമചന്ദ്രന്, സിപിഎം സംസ്ഥാന
കമ്മിറ്റിയംഗം കെ വരദരാജന്, ഡോ. സി ജി രാജേന്ദ്രബാബു, സി കെ വാസുക്കുട്ടന്
എന്നിവര് സംസാരിക്കും. ചട്ടമ്പിസ്വാമിയാല് വിരചിതമായ 'പ്രാചീനമലയാള'ത്തിന്റെ
100-ാം വാര്ഷികത്തോടനുബന്ധിച്ച് ഒന്നും രണ്ടും ഭാഗങ്ങള് പുനഃപ്രകാശം ചെയ്യുന്ന
ചടങ്ങും ഇതോടൊപ്പം നടക്കും. ഡോ. പുതുശേരി രാമചന്ദ്രന് പുസ്തകം
പ്രകാശിപ്പിക്കും. വിദ്യാധിരാജ സംസ്കൃതി പുരസ്കാരം ഇന്ഫോസിസ് അവാര്ഡ്
ജേതാവായ ഡോ. എ അജയഘോഷിന് സമ്മാനിക്കും.
തുടര്ന്ന് അന്നദാനം, സ്വാമി ശിവതീര്ത്ഥന്റെ
പ്രഭാഷണം, വൈകിട്ട് ആറ് മുതല് കളഭാഭിഷേകം, 7.30 മുതല് വില്പ്പാട്ട് എന്നിവയും
നടക്കുമെന്ന് ആശ്രമം ഭാരവാഹികള് വാര്ത്താസമ്മേളനത്തില് അറിയിച്ചു. രാവിലെ
930ന് കരിമ്പിന്പുഴ ആശ്രമം മഠാധിപതി സ്വാമി ശങ്കരാനന്ദ ഭദ്രദീപപ്രകാശനവും
അനുഗ്രഹപ്രഭാഷണവും നടത്തും.
മഠാധിപതി സ്വാമി പ്രണവാനന്ദ തീര്ത്ഥപാദര്, ജി
വേണുനാഥ്, വിഎന് രാമചന്ദ്രന്പിള്ള, പന്മന മഞ്ജേഷ്, എസ്ആര്കെ പിള്ള എന്നിവര്
പങ്കെടുത്തു.
Prof. John Kurakar
|
No comments:
Post a Comment