Chattampi Swamikal - Chattampi Swami and Sree Narayana Guru

Chattampi Swami and Sree Narayana Guru

In 1882 at the Aniyoor Temple near Vamanapuram Chattampi Swami met another young man Nanu Asan who was in search of spiritual guidance. By then Swami 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 while Kunjan Pillai an outspoken extrovert. They lived and travelled for many months together. Later Swamikal took Nānu Āśān, to his guru Thykkattu Ayyavu.

After completing Nānu Āśān's studies under Ayyavu Swami they left him and wandered together in southern Tamil Nadu where they met many saints and scholars. 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 activities. He was led to self-realization at this beautiful and serene place and there Guru established a Siva temple the first such move by any from the lower caste in the region. Chattampi Swamikal did not stay there for long, although the two maintained their contacts, respect and regard for each other throughout their life. There is a funny controversy related to their relation among their disciples who never care about for which they stood. Later Swami met Neelakanta Theerthapada a great Sanskri Scholar and Theerthapada Pramahamsa who established an ashram and also Theerthapada System for the line of snayasins following Swami's teachings and methods.

Chattampi Swamikal has got many disciples; grihastha disciples like Bodheswaran, Perunnelli Krishnan Vaidhyan, Velutheri Kesavan Vaidhyan Kumbalath Sanku Pillai etc. as well sanyasi disciples like Neelakanta Therthapada and Theerthapada Parmahamsa who played very important role in renaissance and reformation in Kerala.