Chattampi Swamikal
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Ayyappan Pillai (born 25 August 1853 – 5 May 1924), better known as Chattampi Swamikal was a
Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
sage and social reformer whose thoughts and work influenced the launching of many social, religious, literary and political organisations and movements in
Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
and gave voice to those who were marginalised. Chattampi Swamikal denounced the orthodox interpretation of Hindu texts citing sources from the
Vedas FIle:Atharva-Veda samhita page 471 illustration.png, upright=1.2, The Vedas are ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism. Above: A page from the ''Atharvaveda''. The Vedas ( or ; ), sometimes collectively called the Veda, are a large body of relig ...
. Swamikal strove to reform the heavily ritualistic and caste-ridden Hindu society of the late 19th century
Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
. Swamikal also worked for the emancipation of women and encouraged them to come to the forefront of society. Swamikal promoted
vegetarianism Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the Eating, consumption of meat (red meat, poultry, seafood, insects as food, insects, and the flesh of any other animal). It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of animal slau ...
and professed non-violence (
Ahimsa (, IAST: , ) is the ancient Indian principle of nonviolence which applies to actions towards all living beings. It is a key virtue in Indian religions like Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. (also spelled Ahinsa) is one of the cardinal vi ...
). Swamikal believed that the different religions are different paths leading to the same place. Chattambi Swamikal led a wandering life like an avadutha and throughout his intellectually and spiritually enriched life maintained many friends from different regions of Kerala. He authored several books on spirituality, history, and language staying with these friends.


Early life

Chattampi Swamikal was born as Ayyappan Pillai on 25 August 1853 at Kannammoola in southern
Travancore The kingdom of Travancore (), also known as the kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor () or later as Travancore State, was a kingdom that lasted from until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvanan ...
, present day Kerala. His father was Thamarassery Anadha Sharma, a
Nambudiri The Nambudiri (), also transliterated as Nampoothiri, Nambūdiri, Namboodiri, Namboothiri, Namboodri, Namboori, and Nampūtiri, are a Malayali Brahmin caste, native to what is now the state of Kerala, India, where they constituted part of the ...
.
Brahmin Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...
from Mavelikkara, and his mother was Nangadevi Pillai, a
Nair The Nair (, ) also known as Nayar, are a group of Indian Hindu castes, described by anthropologist Kathleen Gough as "not a unitary group but a named category of castes". The Nair include several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom hi ...
from Kannammoola. He was called by the pet name of Kunjan Pillai. As his parents were not able to provide him formal education, he learned letters and words from children of his neighbourhood who attended schools. He learned Sanskrit by overhearing the classes at a
Brahmin Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...
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. Raman Nair, pp. 44, 48


Jñānaprajāgaram

In the 1870s Raman Pillai started a scholarly group named 'Jñānaprajāgaram' with experts 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 Yoga (UK: , US: ; 'yoga' ; ) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that originated with its own philosophy in ancient India, aimed at controlling body and mind to attain various salvation goals, as pra ...
by the Thycaud 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.


Ordinary days

As the burden of supporting the family fell on him, Kunjan Pillai took to many types of manual work. For many days he served as a labourer carrying building materials for the construction of the 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 the 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 exploration and research.


Meeting with Subba Jatapadikal

In one of the Philosophical Conferences organised 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 Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
; 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 Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
and
Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...
. 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.


Study of other religions

After completing his studies under Subba Jatapadikal he spent long periods of learning under a Christian priest. In a secluded church in Southern Tamil Nadu assisting the priest he learned Christian Religion and philosophy. Later he lived with an old Muslim well versed in Qur'an and
Sufi Sufism ( or ) is a mysticism, mystic body of religious practice found within Islam which is characterized by a focus on Islamic Tazkiyah, purification, spirituality, ritualism, and Asceticism#Islam, asceticism. Practitioners of Sufism are r ...
mysticism who taught him the main tenet of Islam. Kunjan acquired proficiency reading
Qur'an The Quran, also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation directly from God ('' Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which consist of individual verses ('). Besides ...
in the traditional way. Leaving him he wandered for months with many avadhutas in Southern Tamil Nadu and also traveled all over India. These days revealed to him that the basic concepts of all religions are the same.


Self-realisation

At the end of his wanderings and quest Kunjan Pillai was led to self-realisation by an avadhuta whom he met at a wayside in Vadaveeswaram a village in Tamil Nadu with whom he lived for many months in the forests without any contact with the outside world. It is believed that this avadhuta belonged to the line of immortal masters of Southern India; the Siddhas who knew the scientific art for realising God. He returned to Kerala as a great scholar and saint.


Major disciples

Swamikal's prominent disciples are Narayana Guru, Neelakanta Theerthapada and Theerthapada Parmahamsa. In 1893 Swamikal met his first disciple, Theerthapada, a Sanskrit scholar and an expert in treating snakebites. Inspired by Swamikal, he prepared many works interpreting Advaita for the common man. He also reformed the social and religious rituals and rules and prepared manuals for them. He died in 1921 and Swami installed a Sivalinga above his Samadhi Peeta, which is the only temple, consecrated by him. In 1898, Theerthapada Paramahamsa became Swami's disciple. He, too, worked for the removal of caste-related injustices in Kerala society. He established many ashrams and also Theerthapada System for the line of sanyasins following Swami's teachings and methods. Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Abedananda, and many other saints ascribes to Swami the responsibility for their turning to spiritual life. Swami has also many grihastha disciples like Bodheswaran, Perunnelli Krishnan Vaidhyan, Velutheri Kesavan Vaidhyan, Kumbalath Sanku Pillai etc. as well as sanyasi disciples like Neelakanta Therthapada and Theerthapada Parmahamsa who played very important role in renaissance and reformation in Kerala.


Death

Swamikal settled down at Panmana, a village in Kollam district, towards the end of his life. He attained mahasamadhi on 5 May 1924, aged 70, after a short illness during which he objected to taking any medicine.Gopala Pillai, Paravoor K (1935). Parama Bhattara Chattampi Swami Tiruvatikal.Trichur, Ramanuja Mudranalayam He was buried at Panmana according to traditional Hindu saint funeral customs. Now, a temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
stands above his grave.


Major works

Swamikal's writings comprise various forms, such as single stanzas, muktakas, bhajan songs, essays, critical works, translations, commentaries, short notes, and letters. Swamikal led a wandering life and left what he wrote with those who were with him at the time of writing. Most of the works were only partially recovered and published. There were no later attempts to collect and conserve them, which led to the gradual loss of many of them. A few works were discovered and published eight decades after his death and inspired serious discussion, such as Adhibhasha and Pracheena Malayalam Part -II. The Centre for South Indian Studies has formed the Chattampi Swami Digital Archive (CSDA) project as an attempt to collect and collate extant documents related to Swamikal. Important works available in print are: Raman Nair * ''Advaita Chinta Paddhati'' * ''Vedantasangraham'' * ''Vedanta Saram'' * ''Vedadikara Nirupanam'' * ''Christhumatha Saram'' * ''Christhumatha Nirupanam'' * ''Adi Bhasha'' * ''Keralathile Desa Namangal'' * ''Jivakarunya Nirupanam'' * ''Devarcha Paddhatiyude Upodghatam'' * ''Devi Manasa Puja Stotra Vyakhyanam'' * ''Nijananda Vilasam'' * ''Pranavavum Sankhya Darsanavum'' * ''Moksha Pradipa Khandanam'' * ''Prapanchathil Stri Purushanmarkkulla Sthanam'' * ''Pracheena Malayalam'' * ''Tamizhakam'' * ''Dravida Mahatmyam'' * ''Kerala Charithravum Tachudaya Kaimalum'' * ''Bhasha Padma Puranam'' * ''Malayalathile Chila Sthala Namangal'' * ''Srichakra Pujakalpam '' * ''Ozhuvilodukkam (Translation)'' The following works are not available, except through excerpts published in various journals and books by contemporaries. * ''Advaita Panjaram'' * ''Chidakasa Layam'' * ''Tarka Rahasya Ratnam'' * ''Parama Bhattara Darsanam'' * ''Punarjanma Nirupanam'' * ''Brahmatatva Nirbhasam'' * ''Bhugola Sastram'' * ''Shanmata Nirupanam'' * ''Sarva Mata Samarasyam'' * ''Stava Ratna Haravali''


Vedadikara Nirupanam

''Vedadikara Nirupanam'' is considered as one of his greatest works. It refuted the baseless customs and rules that existed in Kerala. For the first time in the region's history the work questioned the monopolisation of Vedas, sciences and education by a minority. While Nitya Chaitanya Yathi read it to his Master Nataraja Guru, the Master told that 'The words of the book are true like fire and it was to be considered our luck that these papers have not got burned'.


Works on Vedanta

Swami wrote many guides and commentaries on Vedanta for the common man. Notable among them is ''Advaita Chinthapaddhathi'' (1949), an introductory manual on practical Advaita. written in simple language to enable ordinary people without knowledge of Sanskrit to learn Vedanta. The book describes the 'Trigunas', 'Trimurthees', 'Jivatmas', 'Panchabhutas', 'sukshma', 'sthula', 'Sarirotpatti', 'Dasagunas' 'Prapancholpatti', 'Tatvamasi' and related Vedic concepts.


Works on Christianity

''Christumatha Nirupanam'' contains two books – the ''Christumatha Saram'' (meaning Cream of Christianity) and ''Christumatha Nirupanam''. The ''Christumatha Saram'' is his summary of what Christianity is, in accordance with the classical Indian Purva paksha tradition. In ''Christumatha Chedanam'', he criticises various tenets of Christianity which goes against the teachings of Christ. Relying on the Bible itself he disapproves the arguments supporting conversion presented by the missionaries.


Research methods

''Pracheena Malayalam'' also aimed at awakening the mind of the people of the region divided by various complexes to a collective sense of 'We'. Convictions of common origin and belief in a common ancestry were indispensable for the development of a collective mindset. Swami explored the roots of Kerala society and original inhabitants, and sociologically and genealogically connected most of the present groups in Kerala including the priestly class to common ancestors who were the original inhabitants known as the Nakas. B. Hrdaya Kumari says that ''Pracheena Malayalam'' is not only a good example of Swamikal's logical arguments but is the earliest example of application of hypothesis and fixed methodology for historical studies.Hridaya Kumari, B (2002). ''Chila Keraleeya Navodhana Pravanathakal''. Bhashaposhini, pp. 16–23


Women's rights

Swamikal also worked for the emancipation of women and encouraged them to come to the forefront of society. He stated that ancient religion and law in India gave equal status to women and that their role is very important in family and society.Chattampi Swami (1953). ''Prapanchathil Stree Purushanmarkulla Sthanam'' (The position of women and men in the universe). Quilon, Sadabdha Smaraka Grantham. p. 154 He stated that it was the misinterpretation of ancient texts resulting from male arrogance that degraded the position of women and their enslavement.


See also

Other social reformers of Kerala: * Sree Narayana Guru * Dr. Palpu * Kumaranasan * Rao Sahib Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan *
Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi Karatt Govinda Menon (26 August 1852 – 10 September 1929), better known as Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi, was an Indian ''Sannyasa, sanyasi'' from present-day Kerala who founded the Ananda Maha Sabha in 1918. He proposed Anandadarsam or Ana ...
* Vaghbhatananda * Mithavaadi Krishnan * Moorkoth Kumaran *
Ayyankali Mahatma Ayyankali (മഹാത്മ അയ്യൻകാളി; 28 August 1863 – 18 June 1941) was an Indian politician, prominent social reformer, educator, economist, lawmaker, and revolutionary leader. He worked for the advancement of ...
* Ayya Vaikundar * Pandit Karuppan * Kuriakose Elias Chavara


References


Cited sources

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Further reading

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External links


Panmana AshramParama Bhattara Vidyadhiraja Chattampi SwamikalChattampi Swami Archive
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swamikal, Chattampi 1853 births 1925 deaths Indian Hindu spiritual teachers Indian social reformers Writers from Thiruvananthapuram Advaitin philosophers 19th-century Hindu philosophers and theologians 20th-century Hindu philosophers and theologians Vedanta Malayali people Malayali Hindu saints Malayalam-language writers