Chattampi Swamikal

Chattampi Swamikal (b:1853 - d:1925) was one of Kerala’s famed social reform activists and learned men. Chattampi Swamikal worked in parallel with his contemporary and soul mate Sree Nārāyana 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, Tirukochi and Malabar).

Chattampi Swamikal encouraged the Nair community to resist Brahmin hegemony in religion, administrative services and society. Swamikal also worked for the emancipation of Nair women from the clutches of Namboodiri Brahmin exploitation and encouraged women to come the forefront of society in respectable roles. 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.

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

Early life

Swamiji’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 Pilla even took to manual labour as a brick worker and also later worked as document writer in Neyyattinkara town, near the present-day city of Thiruvananthapuram.

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 Pilla earned the name Chattampi on account of his assignment as the monitor of the class (chatambi in malayalam means naughty - but in this sense it is more similar to the expression cheeky in British English - his name in commen Trivandrum folklore is the naughty saint). Chattampi Kunjan Pilla also gained the name Shanmukhadasan on account of his deep devotion to Lord Subramanya.

Soul mate of Nānu Āśān

It was at Perunnalli Krishnan Vaidyar’s house that Chattampi Kunjan Pilla first met the young Nānu Āśān (later known as Sree Nārāyana Guru. By then Chattampi Kunjan Pilla 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.

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 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 books and literary interpretations as follows:

Adibhasha
Advaithachintapaddhati
Bhasha Padma Purana Abhiprayam
Chirsthumatha Saram
Christhumathachedanam
Devarchha Padhadhiyoude Upodhkhadam
Devei Manasa Pooja Sthothram (Interpretation)
Jeeva Karunnya Niroopanam
Jeevakarunyanirupanam
Keralathile Desa Namangal
Malayalathile Chila Sthana Namangal
Mokshapradipakhandanam
Nijanandha Vilasom
Praacheena Malayalam
Pranavavum Sankhya Dersanavum
Prapanchathil Sthree Purashanmarkkulla Sthanam
Sarvamatha Samarasyam
Srichakrapoojakalpam
Vedadhikara Nirupanam

External links

http://www.panmanaashram.com/default.asp
Excellent articles on Swamikal in Malayalam