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Chattampi Swamikal

Chattampi Swamikal
Chattampi Swamikal.jpg
Chattampi Swamikal
Religion Hinduism
Philosophy Advaita
Personal
Nationality Indian
Born (1853-08-25)25 August 1853
Kollur, Trivandrum
Died (1924-05-05)5 May 1924
Panmana, Quilon
Resting place Samadhistanam at Panmana
Guru Ayyavu Swamikal, Subba Jadapadikal
Disciple(s) Neelakanta Therthapada, Theerthapada Parmahamsa
Literary works Advaita Chinthapaddhathi, Vedadikara Nirupanam, Pracheena Malayalam etc.
Honors Sree Vidyadhiraja
Parama Bhattaraka
Quote The whole universe is one mind. Between mind and mind there is no vacuum.
Other names Ayyappan, Kunjan Pillai

Sree Vidyadhiraja Parama Bhattaraka Chattampi Swamikal (25 August 1853 – 5 May 1924) was a Hindu sage and social reformer. His thoughts and work influenced the launching of many social, religious, literary and political organisations and movements in Kerala and for the first time gave voice to those who were marginalised.

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 vegetarianism and professed 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 against Christianity. 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 in southern Travancore. His father was Vasudevan Namputhiri, a Nambudiri Brahmin from Mavelikkara, and his mother was Nangamma, a Nair from Kannammoola. He was formally named Ayyappan but was called by the pet name of Kunjan - meaning "small male baby" - by all. 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 the 1870s Raman Pillai started a scholarly group named 'Jnanaprajagaram' 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 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.


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