Birth of Body and Spirit
This article is part of the Reformation in Kerala series |
Reformation in Kerala |
Background |
---|
• Caste system in Kerala • Indian caste system • Untouchability • Forward caste • O. B. C. • SC and ST • Rejection • Apartheid • Stratification • Hindu reforms • Varna • Pulayar |
Leaders |
Vaikunda Swami Ayyavu Swamikal Chattampi Swamikal Sri Narayana Guru Ayyankali Arattupuzha Velayudhappanikkar Sahodaran Ayyappan Vagbhatandan Brahmananda Sivayogi Pandit Karuppan T. K. Madhavan Mannathu Padmanabhan V. T. Swadeshabhimani Vakkom Moulavi Chempakaraman Pillai G. P. Pillai Dr. Palpu Kumaranasan C. V. Kunhuraman C. V. Raman Pillai E. M. S. |
Others |
Channar Lahala Consecration at Aruvippuram S. N. D. P. N. S. S. Vaikom Satyagraham Guruvayur Satyagraham Upper Cloth Revolt Temple Entry Proclamation |
In 1809 a child was born to the couple Ponnu Nadar and Veiyelal in south India, at Swamithoppe in the Kanyakumari District(part of Travancore then). They were very poor. They initially named the child Mudisoodum Perumal, meaning "Lord Vishnu with a crown", but due to objections from those of higher castes, the family changed his name to Muthukutty.
The religious book, Akilam, tells of a legend of a child who was born dead, and then the soul of the deva Sampooranathevan was placed in the body. According to the legend, the parents found the child still for a time immediately after birth, then the child began behave normally. Thereafter, that boy grew up called Muthukutty in human history, and Sampooranathevan in Ayyavazhi mythology.
Muthukutty, a religious boy, had special interest in the worship of Vishnu. The holy book Akilam mentions that he had set a pedestal for Lord Vishnu in his house and worshipped the deity devoutly. At the age of seventeen, Muthukutty married Thirumalammal from the nearby village of Puviyur, and started a family with her. However, some believe that they were not married at all, but that, she had come to live with him only to serve him during his public activities. Thirumalammal had been previously married, but left her former husband to marry Muthukutty. According to quotes found in Akilam, they had a male child, who was sired by her first husband. Muthukutty earned his living as a Palmyra palm climber and as an agricultural laborer.
Read more about this topic: Ayya Vaikundar
Famous quotes containing the words birth, body and/or spirit:
“But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 1:13-15.
“Man may have his opinion as to the relative importance of feeding his body and nourishing his soul, but he is allowed by Nature to have no opinion whatever as to the need for feeding the body before the soul can think of anything but the bodys hunger.”
—George Bernard Shaw (18561950)
“Let Love step down,
open the clasped hands,
forfeit the thorny crown,
retrieve the garment
that was whole,
body and spirit one, spirit and soul.”
—Hilda Doolittle (18861961)