Disciples
of Guru
- Sree Bodhananda Swamikal
- Sadguru Shivalingadasa Swamikal
- Satyavrata Swamikal
- Chaitanya Swamikal
- Nataraja Guru
- Swamy Ananda Theerthan
- Swamy Dharma Theerthan
- Swamy Ernest Kerk
- Govindhananda Swami
- Dharma Thirthar Swami
- Atmananda swami
- Sankarananda Swami
- Sreenarayana Theerthar
Sivalinga Swami
Sivalinga Swami was one of the first and prominent disciples of
Narayana Guru. He was born in 1859 in an orthodox Nair family in Aruvippuram.
Before he became a Sanyasin he was known as Ayappan Pillai. Swami met Guru for
the first time when Guru was staying in a cave near Neyyar River . He listened
to Guru's words very carefully and sometimes he accompanied Guru in his
journeys. Guru taught him some Sanskrit and later send him to Perunelli
Krishnan Vaidyar for further study. He learned Sanskrit grammar under famous
Sanskrit scholar Shri. Venkateswara Sasthri. He became acquainted with Kumaram,
who later became the poet mahakavi KumaranAsan, at Aruvippuram and they became
close friends. In 1905 Ayappan Pillai accepted the ascetic way of life from
Guru and became SivalingadasaSwami. When Guru moved to Varkala he took
Sivalingadasa Swami with him. Sivalingadasa Swami helped to build a hermitage
for Guru at Sivagiri. He served in many Ashrams and temples according to Guru's
suggestions. Later he stayed at Trichur Peringottukara Ashram; he started a
Sanskrit school there. Later in his life he left the Ashram and started to live
in Viswanatha Temple in Chavakkad. In 1919 Sivalinga Swami attained Samadhi.
Kumaranasan wrote the poem ‘Parannu poya hamsam' (The flown away Swan) in
remembrance of the Swami. The Swamikal wrote many spiritual compositions,
‘Vedanthasaravali', ‘Sharadhashtakam', and ‘Sree Narayana Guruvarya Panchakam'
are a few his famous works.
Bodhananda Swami
Bodhananda Swami was already a Sanyasin before he became Sree
Narayana Guru's disciple. He was born in a middle class family in Chirakkal
village in Trichur district. His parents named him Velayudhan. He had an
extraordinary physique and piercing eyes. Besides Malayalam, he also had some
knowledge of Sanskrit. He was well versed in Ayurvedic treatment. From an early
age he argued against inequality in the society. Due to the compulsion from his
family he got married, but that relationship lasted only two years. He traveled
to many places in North India and he accepted the Sanyasin life at Jyothir Mutt
in Kasi. Jyothir Mutt, which followed the traditio
n of Sree Sankaracharya. Later he went to Bombay and stayed
in an Ashram for a short time. He came back to Kerala and started agitations
against untouchability and caste-lunacy. He opposed idol worship. When he heard
of Guru's program about the idol installation at Jagannatha Temple , he went
there. He talked to many youngsters there about the meaninglessness of idol
worship and asked them stay away from the function. They requested Bodhananda
Swami to meet and talk to Narayana Guru. He went to the hermitage where Guru
was staying, but did not get a chance to talk with the Guru. He went there
again to meet with the Guru; he prostrated in front of the Guru. Bodhananda
Swami expressed his opinion to Guru, but Guru's explanation about the necessity
of Temples and Idols made Bodhananda Swami stay there until the function was
over. Guru introduced him to Sivalinga Swami and Chaitanya Swami who were
staying there. Sivalinga Swami invited him to Peringottukara Mutt. After this
he became a frequent visitor to Aruvippuram and Peringottukara. He became a
member and Treasurer of Sharada idol installation committee. In 1912, on the
third day of Sharada idol installation, Guru accepted Bodhanda as his Sanyasi
disciple. Guru sent him as his representative in many meetings and committees.
Bodhananda Swami who opposed idol worship served as a member of the Sree
Narayana Guru statue committee at Jagannatha Temple , Tellicherry. This will
show the depth of his devotion towards Sree Narayana Guru. He helped Nataraja
Guru to set up the Narayana Gurukulam in Neelagiri. He spent a major portion of
his life up-lifting the status of down-trodden people in his native state. He
established the Cochin National Bank that helped the economic progress of the
backward people in general. He codified Guru's precept on “Caste, Religion,
Morality, Celibacy, Household duties etc, and published a book by name, “Sree
Narayana Dharmam”. The Guru registered his will in Bodhananda Swami's name and
made him his successor. But unfortunately Bodhananda Swami attained Samadhi two
days after Guru's Samadhi, in 1928.
Chaitanya Swami
Chaithanya Swami was born in Varkala in 1877 as Narayana Pillai.
He did not have any formal education, but learned to read and write Malayalam.
He had some knowledge about the art of building, constructing and sculpture. It
was Chattambi Swamikal who sent him to Sree Narayana Guru.When Guru saw
Narayana Pillai for the first time, Guru said: “Caste and religion are not an
obstacle for human relationship, moreover we have the same name. It is good!
Others will get confused, so a name change is necessary; from now onwards you
are ‘Narayana Chaitanyan'.Later he became a Sanyasin and accepted ‘Chaitanya'
as his ascetic name. He faced a lot of opposition from his family members for
associating with Sree Narayana Guru. He was the second person to ordain as a Sanyasin
by the Guru. He had a superb administrative capacity and a high talent to adapt
with others. He was instructed by Guru to look after Guru's institutions.
Chaitanya Swami supervised the construction of Thalaserry Jagannatha Temple ,
Kozhikkode Sree Khanadeswara Temple , Kannur Sundreswara Temple and many other
monasteries. He was one of the three witnesses who signed in the application to
form Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham. N. Kumaru and P. Narayana Pillai were the
other witnesses. He served as the secretary of Alwaye Adwaita Ashram and as the
administrator of the Sanskrit school there. Guru's famous composition ‘Atma
Bodham' was copied down by him and kept safely. ‘Atma Bodham' was later renamed
as ‘Atmopadesa Satakam'. Chaithanya Swami established Sree Narayana Ashram at
West Hill in Kozhikkode. He continued his humanitarian activities and spread
the gospel of Sree Narayana Guru till his Samadhi in 1953. He has written a
book dealing with Guru's views on reformation of marriage, post – death rites
etc.
Dharma Theerthar Swami
He was Prameswara Menon before he became the disciple of Sree
Narayana Guru. He received his B.A. degree from Madras Presidency College . He
worked in the Cochin government service for a brief period before he joined
Bombay University for LLB. After receiving his law degree he started his law
practice in the Trichur area. Soon he became a famous lawyer in that area. His
activities against untouchability and other unorthodox practices made him
popular. He worked as the editor of ‘Snehithan' magazine that was published
from Trichur. At this time he became acquainted with Bodhananda and got
attracted to his activities. He was a very good orator, so he became a regular
speaker at the meetings arranged by Bodhananda Swami. He visited Aruvippuram
and Sivagiri many times with Bodhananda Swami. These visits gave him the chance
to learn about Sree Narayana Guru and his works. Parameswara Menon stopped his
practice and moved to Sivagiri. After 2 years Guru accepted him as his disciple
and re-named him as Dharma Theerthar. He was Guru's first Sanyasin disciple
with a college degree. He traveled many places with Guru and served as an
interpreter. Guru sought his legal advice before registering the Sree Narayana
Dharma Sangham. He served as the Secretary of the Dharma Sangam for a long
time. He started the systematic way of keeping accounts and records at Sivagiri
Mutt. Swami Dharma Theerthar was the first person who took the initiative to
collect Guru's literary works and publish them. He wrote, ‘the Prophet of
Peace', first English book about Guru. He wrote and published many books in
Malayalam and English. In 1941 he wrote and published a book, ‘Menance to Hindu
Imperialism', about secularism in India . This book was later republished with
a new title - ‘History of Hindu Imperialism'. In this book Dharma Theerthar
says these words about his Guru: “The greatest saint, reformer, teacher and
nation builder Travancore has produced, since the days of the first Sree
Sankaracharya, was undoubtedly the late Sree Narayana Guru Swami. In any other
country he would have been universally acclaimed as a savior and Prophet. But
in the Hindu state, caste envelops in dark clouds even such great souls and
prevents their light from penetrating in the open world when Rishi like him
could not overcome the caste prejudices of a Hindu state”. Even though he was
associated with Sivagiri for than 30 years, the politics that occurred after
Guru's samadhi made him leave that place. He traveled in North India . Later he
embraced Christianity and became John Dharma Theerthar, but till the end of his
life, he spread Guru's philosophy.
Satyavrida Swami
Satyavrida Swami, known as Ayappan Pillai in his early life, came
from a middle class Nair family near Changanacherry. He was a teacher. Ayappan
Pillai did not have much respect for Sree Narayana Guru before he met the Guru.
He only knew about Guru through the exaggerated stories by Ezhavas in his
neighborhood. When he went to participate in the Sivarathri festival at Alwaye
Guru was staying at Adwaita Ashram. His curiosity made him to go to the Ashram
and see the ‘Ezhava Guru'. He could see Guru only from a distance because of
the huge crowd. “I saw compassion, love and confidence on his face”, later
Satyavrida Swami said. The next day he went to Guru and discussed many matters
with him. After coming back home he became restless and he wanted to go and
stay with Guru. His income was a great help to his family, so he was faced with
a dilemma. But with his mother's blessings he left his house in 1916 and joined
as an inmate at the Adwaita Ashram. Sree Narayana Guru appointed him as the
Malayalam teacher at the Sanskrit school there and made arrangements for him to
learn Sanskrit. Guru accepted Ayappan Pillai as his Sanyasin disciple. Because
of his straight forwardness and honesty, Guru named him ‘Satyavridan'. He was a
scholar and a forceful orator. He had the talent of speaking to the common
people in simple language. He became a regular speaker at many public meetings
and his speeches attracted more people to the meetings. He accompanied Guru to
Ceylon 1918. Guru asked Satyavrida Swami to stay in Ceylon for a while; he
spent three years there. Guru wanted him to start evening schools there. Within
those 3 years he started 30 evening schools and many Sree Narayana
organizations there. When he came back he started to work as the editor of
‘Navajeevan' magazine. In 1921 he went back to Ceylon for 3 months. He became
the Secretary of Adwaita Ashram in 1922 and Guru asked him to mange all the
properties belonged to the Ashram. He was one of the few true proponents of
Guru's principles. Not many people in Kerala worked like Satyavrida Swami
against the caste system. Guru once said, “Satyavridan has no caste feelings at
all; even I have such feelings sometimes. He even excels Buddha in forgetting
caste”. He was one of the three people Guru appointed to coordinate the ‘All
Religious Conference at Alwaye'. The others were Sahodharan Ayappan and C.V.
Kunhuraman. His hard work was one of the reasons for the huge success of the
conference. Satyavrida Swami was one of the few disciples who lived a life of
Guru's ideology. Unfortunately his life was cut short in 1926 at the age of 32.
Upon hearing of his death the Guru was overwhelmed with sorrow.
Govindananda Swami
He served as a police officer before he became Sree Narayana
Guru's sanayasin disciple. He was born in Mulankadu near Ernakulam and many of
his relatives still live in Palluruthy area. He came to know about Guru and his
activities through Bodhananda Swami, whom he was a follower of. He resigned his
job and joined the Sivagiri Ashram. There, he studied Vedanta and philosophy.
After Bodhananda Swami's samadhi, Govindananda Swami became the head of
Sivagiri Mutt. He had a piece of property in Kancheepuram that was donated by
one of Guru's followers; he founded a Sree Narayana Seva Ashram there. Later a
sanatorium was started adjoined to this Ashram. He traveled to Japan , Malaya
and Burma to propagate Guru's words. Govindananda activities helped a lot to
propagate the gospel of the Guru in Tamil Nadu. Govindananda Swami felt ill
while he was visiting this Ashram and attained Samadhi at the age of 105.
Atmananda Swami
His name was Rama Panicker before he became the disciple of Sree Narayana
Guru. Born in a Kanisa community on July27, 1870, in Villyapally village in
Bhadagara Taluk. Astrology was his family's traditional job. Rama Panicker was
a scholar in many subjects like Sanskrit, astrology, philosophy, ayurveda etc.
He worked as a Sanskrit teacher in 'Vidhyarthi Chinthamani' Sanskrit school in
Tellicherry. He met Sree Narayana Guru when Guru was visiting Tellicherry. Guru
was very much impressed in Rama Panicker's knowledge in Sanskrit. Guru invited
him to be a teacher at Adwaitha Ashram Sanskrit school. Later he joined as the
Head Master of Adwaitha Ashram Sanskrit School. His staying at the Ashram gave
him to know more about the Guru. Later he was initiated as a Snyasin by Guru
and gave him a new name - ‘Atmananda' and stayed at Sivagiri. Govitananda Swami
invited him to Kancheepuram Ashram. He visited the Ashram many times and helped
Govindananda to improve the Sree Narayana Seva Ashram. His hard work brought
lots of financial assets to the Ashram. Later he stayed there permanently. He
was famous in that area as an Ayurvedic medical practitioner and people called
him ‘Valiya Gurukkal' or ‘Great Teacher'. He wrote many poems about Guru. One
of his published work ‘Sree Narayana Dharma', is one of the best books to
understand Guru's thoughts. On November 12, 1969 Atmananda Swami attained
Samadhi at the age of 100.
Sankarananda Swami
he fourth and the last head of Sivagiri Mutt. His name was
Sankaran. He was born into a financially well to do family in Puthullad,
Trichur district. . He did not show much interest in formal education. From his
early life he showed interest in Spirituality. Due to the pressure from his
family members he started a family life, but that did not last long. He left
the house and traveled to different holy places in South India . After staying
at Ramana Maharshi's Thiruvanna malai for a brief period he came to Palghat and
stayed at Brahmananda Shiva Yogi's ashram. After some time he went back to his
native place and started to live there. He was heard about Guru and his social
activities. When Guru was staying at Peringottukara ashram, he went to see Guru
and told him about his mental dilemma. Guru told Sankaran that, “if his path is
right he will reach his aim”. He went back home and told his relatives about
his wish to join Guru as a Sanyasin. Next day, accompanied by his uncle, he
went to Adwaitha ashram and met Guru. With Guru's blessings he became an inmate
at the ashram. Later Guru gave him a new name, ‘Sankarananda', and accepted him
as Guru's sanysin disciple. . He served as the administrator of the Await
Ashram for a long time. After Achuthananda Swami's samadhi, Sankarananda became
the head of Sivagiri Mutt. Guru's hundredth birth anniversary was celebrated
while he was the head of the Mutt. He was not an orator or writer, but he
showed much interest in collecting and publishing Guru's works. Two
periodicals, ‘Navajeevan' and ‘Sivagiri' were published during his time. The
commencement of Sivagiri pilgrimage, the celebration of Guru's hundredth birth anniversary
and the construction of Maha Samadhi Mandir were occurred while he was the head
of the Mutt.
Mambalam Vidyananda Swami
his Sanyasin disciple of Sree Narayana Guru was born into a joint
family in Kavalam, Kuttanadu. Many of his family members were Ayurvedic medical
practitioners. His name was Ramankutty. He studied at Sanadhana Dharma High
School , Alleppey and he passed High School with high marks. He could not
continue his education because of the sudden death of his three uncles. These
tragedies exhausted him mentally; he left his home and visited many religious
places. He came to the Adwaita Ashram while Guru was staying there. After
hearing Ramankutty's story Guru asked him to stay there. He arranged Ramankutty
a job at the Sanskrit School . His staying at the Ashram helped him to improve
his skills in the Sanskrit language. He also spoke English, Tamil, Kannada and
Telugu. Later he was initiated as a monk by Guru and received the name,
‘Vidyananda'. After Guru's Samadhi Vidyananda Swami moved to Kancheepuram Sree
Narayana Seva Ashram, later to Mambalam. A rich person donated some land near
Mambalam and the Swami founded Sree Narayana Mission there. Later he started an
infirmary adjunct to the Mission . This free sanatorium was a big help for the
poor people in that area. Vidyananda Swami wrote an interpretation for Sree
Narayana Guru's ‘Darsanamala'. Guru titled this book as ‘Dheedhidi', which
means ray.This book became an important means of reference to many scholars. He
wrote many articles, mostly related to Guru's philosophy, and published in
periodicals. In 1959 Swami became ill and partially paralyzed. He spent the end
of his life in Changanacherry and attained Samadhi in 1964. Sadly his body was
buried in a public cemetery. The Sree Narayana Mission was not affiliated to
Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, so the Sangham showed no interest in preparing a
‘Samadhi Peedham' (proper way of burying a Sanyasin's body) for him at
Sivagiri.
Swami AananthaTheerthar
Swami AananthaTheerthar was the last disciple of Sree Narayana
Guru. He was a fabulous personality in the fight against social injustices in
Kerala. Anantha Shenoy was born in a rich Gowdasaraswath Brahmin family of
Thalassery. He took Bsc (Hon) degree in Physics from Madras University . At
that time it was very easy for him to get a high paying job anywhere in India ,
but he was interested in public service. Anantha Shenoy heard about Sree
Narayana Guru. When he was studying at Tellicherry Brannen College Guru visited
Jagannatha Temple there, but Anantha Shenoy did not show any interest in
meeting the Guru. He thought Guru was just a religious leader of Ezhavas. But
he started to admire Sree Narayana Guru when he read Guru's conversation with
Mahatma Gandhi and learning more about his work against social injustices. He
got attracted to National movement and wanted to live at Mahatma's Sabarmathi
Ashram. He sought Rajaji's help for this, but Rajaji advised him to go and stay
at Sabari Ashram in Palghat. Sabari Ashram was started for the upliftment of
the downtrodden. In 1926 Anantha Shenoy became a member of that Ashram. He met
Guru for the first time at a house in Coimbatore ; Guru talked to him in great
interest when he heard Shenoy was working for Sabari Ashram. In August 1928 he
accepted the ascetic way of life and became the disciple of Sree Narayana Guru.
Guru gave him the name Anantha Theerthar. He spent all his life for the uplift
the life of Harijans. He faced a lot of opposition from the upper caste people
and sometimes even suffered physical harassment. He selected Payannur as his
work area and started Sree Narayana School and hostel there for Harijan
children. This institution is widely known as Ashram. He changed the venue of
this school three times due to the strong hostility of the people there. He was
one of the few disciples who continued Guru's deed of the fight against social
evils.
Swami Earnest Clark
Earnest Clark was the only foreigner who was a direct Sanyasin
disciple of the Guru. He admired many spiritual leaders in India . He came to
India and joined Annie Basant's Theosophical Society. While working there he
traveled to many sacred places in India and happened to visit Sivagiri. Earnest
Clark met Guru there and told Guru about his intention to stay there and Guru
arranged the facilities for him. Swami Dharma Theerthar and Shri. K.M. John
were Guru's interpreters. Shri. K.M. john, who was a teacher by profession, was
staying at Sivagiri and teaching Bible. At that time Guru was thinking about
how to use the assets of Sivagiri for the benefit of the people in a useful
way. He consulted many people about it and appointed a committee to prepare a
project. Earnest Clark was the convener of that committee and he played a major
role in preparing and presenting the, ‘Sivagiri Free Industrial and
Agricultural Gurukulam', project to Guru. It was a project to connect
Agriculture and Industry to Education. Even Mahatama Gandhi never thought about
vocational education at that period. Shri. P. Natarajan (later become Nataraja
Guru) was responsible for the educational matters. Later Earnest Clark became a
Sanyasin, but Guru never asked him to change his name. In 1927 the ‘Sivagiri
Free Industrial and Agricultural Gurukulam' project started to function, but
Guru's Samadhi affected it and the project was abandoned. After Guru's Samadhi
Swami Earnest Clark left Sivagiri due to the court case and politics. He moved
to Coimbatore and founded Sree Narayana Ashram there. From there he started a
publication, ‘Life', which gave importance to Guru's philosophy. Swami Dharma
Theerthar wrote the ‘Prophet of Peace' owing to Swami Earnest Clark's request.
In 1942 he was removed from the Dharma Sangham by the authorities of the Sree
Narayana Dharma Sangham. It did not stop Swami Earnest Clark propagating Guru's
words
1 comments:
Prof Prem raj Pushpakaran writes -- 2019 marks the 100th birth year of K.R. Gowri Amma!!!
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