Ayya Vaikundar - Birth of Body and Spirit

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

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