When the world celebrates 150th anniversary of birth
of Swami Vivekananda, the revolutionary sage who spread the knowledge of
Vedanta and Upanishads to The West, it is worthy to remember the visit of Swami
Vivekananda to Kerala and his meeting with Chattambi Swamikal, who inspired
Nairs to become leaders and instilled confidence among Nairs.
It was a remarkable meeting for both yogis. Vivekananda who was
searching for a proper explanation of Chinmudra got the perfect answer from
Chattambi Swami. Vivekananda’s enlightened thoughts on eradication of social
inequalities had a profound impact on Chattambi Swami who was already against
such discriminations. It won’t be an exaggeration to say the meeting was a
catalyst for social reform movements in Kerala launched by Chattambi Swami and
Sree Narayana Guru.
The meeting of the two towering personalities occurred during Swami
Vivekananda’s Kerala visit in early December 1892 at Ernakulam. Vivekananda was
the guest of W. Ramaiya, secretary of Diwan Peshkar of Kochi. Many people came
to see Vivekananda and Chattambi Swami also went to see him. But seeing a huge
crowd around Vivekananda, Chattambi went back. Later, when people told
Vivekananda about Chattambi Swami the former said he would call on the latter.
Esoteric
knowledge on Chinmudra
Chattambi was then living at one Sankar Menon’s home. He took
Vivekananda beneath a secluded tree and they spoke in Sanskrit one whole night.
They discussed many things and according to historians, Vivekananda who was
searching for a proper explanation on the neurodynamics of Chinmudra asked
Chattambi the question.
Vivekananda got a satisfactory explanation and he bowed and
thanked Chattambi. Chattambi unfolded the esoteric meaning of Chinmudra and its
role in achieving higher levels of consciousness. Quoting from an old
commentary on the Brahadaranya Upanishad, Chattambi is said to have, explained
that when the tips of the forefinger and index finger touch together a
vibratory energy would be produced, and it would flow up to the Sahasrara Padma
of the aspirant elevating him to a higher stage of consciousness.
Needless to say both were impressed with each other. Swamy Vivekananda who earlier termed Kerala a
mental hospital pained by the untouchability and other social evils existing
here, after meeting Chattambi wrote in his diary that “I have met a real man in
Kerala.” Chattambi was also full of praise of Vivekananda and said when he sang
it sounded like a golden pot. Chattambi also praised the knowledge of
Vivekananda.
Before coming to Kerala, Vivekananda was a guest of Dr. Palpu(a
leader of Ezhava community) at Bangalore who made Vivekananda aware of the
discriminations based on caste that existed in the state and had asked
Vivekananda to do something to eradicate it. Vivekananda when landed in
Kodungalloor in Kerala later, had a first hand experience of the
discriminations in Kerala as he was denied permission to enter the Devi temple
there. The temple authorities told swami that non keralites were denied
permission to enter as there was no way they could ascertain their caste.
One can say with
conviction that the anti-discriminatory movements launched by Chattambi Swami
and Sree Narayana Guru were inspired by Vivekananda. Chattambi Swami’s “Vedadhikara
Niroopanam” (A review of Vedas) ascertained that even Sudras are empowered to
learn and interpret Vedas. Sree Narayana Guru later launched anti-caste
movement which uprooted caste system in Kerala. These movements saved Hindu
community of Kerala and those historic personalities accomplished their
mission.
A related video link
https://youtu.be/cTnEINYdwRY?feature=shared
