Brahmananda swami Sivayogi
A Social and religious reformer.
Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi, was a rational man. Unlike the other leaders, he rejected god.
Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi was born in Kollengode village in Palakkad in a well – to –do Nair Taravadu (join family). His family was highly orthodox and strict in disciplines. They also chanted hymns, performed daily rituals, and had dedicated devotion to the idols.
He learnt his preliminary lessons at home, later was sent to a Gurukul, where he studied Sanskrit under Sri Pamanabha Sastrikal. He mastered Sanskrit learning various branches like Nataka, Alankara, Kavya, etc.
Govinda Kutty started expressing himself as a poet. He began to question his guru about god. “Who is god? What is he doing? Where is he?” None was able to give a prompt answer to his questions. Though they tried explaining him the reasons of lower caste, un – touch – ability, he was not ready to take such things. He started questioning such practices.
After his Sanskrit studies, Govinda Kutty was sent to Ernakulam to learn English. He mastered English with the same spirit as he mastered Sanskrit. He also learnt many English books.
He boldly decided to follow a belief based on a reason and direct experience.
His first move
He boycotted Bhuvaneshwari pooja performed by Brahmin priests at his taravad, and quarrelled with his uncle. So the taravad was partitioned. He was forced to move to his new house with his mother and other family members. HHis only sister Devaki Amma says her elder brother was too involved in reading and writing that his friends called him Mauni or Muni
Work jobs of Govinda Kutty
At Calicut, it was the beginning phase of Brahma Samaj.
His stay in Calicut was the turning point of his life. Govinda Kutty became Brahmananda Swami SivaYogi.
How did Govinda Kutty get his name BRAHMANANDA SWAMI SIVAYOGI?
Brahma Samaj made its entry to Malabar region in 1898. It’s first branch in the region was opened at Calicut. As the samaj emphasised on atheism and opposed social evils, Govinda Kutty became an active participant of the samaj.He wrote a poem called “BrahmasamnKeeirthanam” on the request of his team, that was later published as a book. After this, the Brahmasamajists honoured him as “Brahmananda swami Sivayogi”.
He was invited by various schools because of his growing popularity. He rejected the offers and lived in a small village practicing YOGA.
His wife understood his values and became his disciple. Both led a Brahmacharya life.
He wrote a poem called “BrahmasamnKeeirthanam” on the request of his team, that was later published as a book. After this, the Brahmasamajists honoured him as “Brahmananda swami Sivayogi”.
He was invited by various schools because of his growing popularity. He rejected the offers and lived in a small village practicing YOGA.
His wife understood his values and became his disciple. Both led a Brahmacharya life.
When he retired in 1907, he started spending his time completely in social and religious reforms. He started visiting various parts of Kerala and spreaded his ideas.
He published 16 books and were collectively known as Siddha Granta. The books are as follows
Courtesy : Wikipedia
Movement : Anandamatha
Anandamatha was a movement started by ShivaYogi, for all who seeked happiness.The movement gave importance to practical reality, gave courage to face miseries in life, preached yoga.
His main statement
“We are all of Ananda caste, ananda religion, and Ananda nation”
Brahmananda Sivayogi, spreaded a revolutionary wave through his works that accelerated the transformation of Kerala.
Author: Subhashini Rajendran, a freelance writer. She writes at
http://www.durofy.com/author/
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