Karatt Govinda Menon (26 August 1852 – 10 September 1929), better known as Brahmananda Sivayogi, was an Indian social reformer, atheist, and writer from present-day Kerala. He founded the Ananda Maha Sabha in 1918. He proposed Anandadarsam or Anandamadham (religion of bliss).
He was titled "Brahmananda Swamikal", recognising his spiritual and literaryÃÂ knowledge by Ayyathan Gopalan, a social reformer and propagandist of Brahmo Samaj in Kerala and founder of Sugunavardhini movement. Mentor of Swami Sivayogi, and as an honor for writing a poem Brahmasankeerthanam (to be sung during Brahmo prayer meetings) on the request of Gopalan and all Brahmosamajists of Malabar, and also for extending his untiring services done through Brahmo Samaj. He started Sidhdhasramam in Alathur on 1891. He propounded the theory that anandam (happiness or bliss) should be the touchstone of any human activity. The movement he spearheaded played an important role in the Kerala reformation movement.
Brahmananda Sivayogi was born on 26 August 1852 at Kollankode, a small village in Palakkad district of Kerala. He was the ninth son of Nani Amma of "Karatt" family and Kunhikrishna Menon of Kunnath Ravunnyarath at Vallengi. He had nine brothers and one sister. InÃÂ hisÃÂ childhood, BrahmanandaÃÂ SivayogiÃÂ was calledÃÂ Govindankutty. His mother was a devout Nair lady who strictly followed the tenets of religion. He lived in his matrilineal house along with his parents as per theÃÂ existing custom ofÃÂ matrilineal families. His parentsÃÂ and other familyÃÂ members naturallyÃÂ influencedÃÂ him towards conservatism. Govindankutty accepted allÃÂ the traditional life ofÃÂ a Nair boy. He visitedÃÂ temples, worshippedÃÂ individualÃÂ Gods, involvedÃÂ inÃÂ prayers, offerings and other religious customs. He was sent to a nearbyÃÂ school, theÃÂ KollankodeÃÂ Board ElementaryÃÂ School.ÃÂ Several changes had occurred in the field of education in Kerala during this time. But majorityÃÂ were unawareÃÂ ofÃÂ the importanceÃÂ ofÃÂ English education. Sanskrit scholars were respected everywhere. The students usually had gone to the residence of Sanskrit scholars to master the language. The well-knownÃÂ scholarÃÂ PadmanabhaÃÂ Sastri was theÃÂ Sanskrit GuruÃÂ whoÃÂ gave guidance to Govindankutty. His father Kunhikrishna Menon sent his son to Koodalloor Sastrikal for higher course in Sanskrit. He studied grammar, poetry and poetics from his guru.ÃÂ His grasping power was extraordinary. He had expressed hisÃÂ poetic genius during this time. ByÃÂ this timeÃÂ heÃÂ became well versed inÃÂ Hindu scripturesÃÂ andÃÂ Tamil language. ThereÃÂ was nothing spectacular or any sign of his later beliefs of rationalism or atheism in his early life or childhood.
After his Sanskrit studies, Karat Govinda Menon moved toÃÂ Ernakulam and joined there as a Sanskrit teacher. His short stay at Ernakulam and acquaintance with a lot of people having different cultures broadened his outlook. He was greatly influenced by the non-idolatry and atheistic principles of Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan and Brahmo Samaj, His attitude towards God, religion and tradition was undergoing aÃÂ slowÃÂ change by then.
Accordingly, heÃÂ married Thavukutty Amma ofÃÂ Mukkil Maruthur at Vadavannur. HeÃÂ hadÃÂ to lookÃÂ afterÃÂ his ownÃÂ familyÃÂ and startedÃÂ his career as a Sanskrit Munshi at Calicut Native High School which is now known as Ganapat High School, his stayÃÂ atÃÂ Kozhikode was aÃÂ turning point inÃÂ his life. During this timeÃÂ a branchÃÂ ofÃÂ Brahmo SamajÃÂ wasÃÂ functioning at KozhikodeÃÂ which wasÃÂ anÃÂ organisation forÃÂ socialÃÂ reforms, led by Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan, a great social reformer of Kerala during those times. Govinda Menon participated in the discussions organised in Brahmasamajam. He wasÃÂ aÃÂ frequent visitor at Brahmasamajam and wrote theÃÂ book Brahmasankeerthanam onÃÂ the request ofÃÂ Dr. Gopalan and Brahmosamajists of Malabar. Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan honored him as "Brahmananda Swami" recognising his spiritual and literaryÃÂ knowledge. HeÃÂ had the opportunity to listen to their discourses. It naturallyÃÂ enrichedÃÂ his knowledge. TheirÃÂ rejection of the practice of idol worship influenced him considerably. He also got proficient in English during the stay at Calicut. He learnt thatÃÂ casteÃÂ was anÃÂ unwantedÃÂ social institutionÃÂ whichÃÂ was potentially harmful.ÃÂ HeÃÂ slowly emerged from theÃÂ traditionalÃÂ Hindu society. PhilosophicallyÃÂ heÃÂ moved awayÃÂ fromÃÂ the HinduÃÂ fold. He resigned from Calicut school and joined Board Middle School at Alathur as Sanskrit Munshi. By then he was widely recognised by the name "Brahmananda Swamikal".
Gradually he started practising Rajayoga. During thisàtime,àhe embracedàsaintlyàlife andàattireàcompletely, he named his residence at Alathur as Siddhashrama. Sivayogi stopped his teaching profession in 1907 and devoted entirely toàtheàactivities concernedàwithàhis spiritualàmission.àHe establishedàa spiritual institution namedàSiddhasramaàin 1907àat Alathur. Brahmananda Sivayogi's revolutionary activities were accelerated after he settled down at Alathur. Heàstarted Anandamatham (Religion ofàBliss) and made a tour in someàpartsàof Keralaàtoàpropagate theàidealsàof AnandaàmathamâÂÂàand carried onàaàconsistent struggleàagainstàthe antiàsocio-religiousàpractices. His wife Thavukuttyamma became his true disciple and got the title as Yoginimatha.
Brahmananda sivayogi was the one who titled V.K.Gurikkal as Vagbhatananda seeing his oratorial abilities. AsÃÂ aÃÂ social reformer,ÃÂ BrahmanandaÃÂ Sivayogi neverÃÂ appearedÃÂ in stages and addressed huge masses. His main intention was to enlighten the people andÃÂ teachÃÂ them toÃÂ liberateÃÂ themselves fromÃÂ superstitionsÃÂ and ignorance.ÃÂ Even thoughÃÂ heÃÂ was aÃÂ SanskritÃÂ scholar, heÃÂ preferredÃÂ simple Malayalam, the vernacular language, to make the common people aware of theirÃÂ realÃÂ status inÃÂ theÃÂ society. Brahmananda Sivayogi believes that superstitions and evil customs influenced the common people due to their ignorance of Rajayoga. The religious rivalry and misery can be put to an end by the knowledge that theÃÂ originalÃÂ universal religionÃÂ ofÃÂ mankind isÃÂ "Ananda" alone. Under the leadershipÃÂ of directÃÂ disciplesÃÂ of SivayogiÃÂ likeÃÂ V.K.Kombi Achan, Sivaramakrishna Iyer, G.Krishna Iyer, T.K.P.Anandayogi, C.Kannan Nair,ÃÂ SooryanarayanaÃÂ Sharma, P.A.Anandan,ÃÂ Vagbhatananda, N.K.Anandan, Adv. Rama Varier started propaganda of Sivayogi's principles.
Like allÃÂ renaissanceÃÂ leaders, he emphasized the importance education especially that of women education. SivayogiÃÂ broughtÃÂ and readÃÂ manyÃÂ scholarly authoritativeÃÂ texts. He learned andÃÂ interpreted theÃÂ SanskritÃÂ texts andÃÂ borrowedÃÂ important passagesÃÂ to highlightÃÂ and cementÃÂ hisÃÂ ideology. The authoritative truths he proved, with examples and logic viz., the triumph of eternal bliss, real happiness is the peacefulness of the mind, the prime victory is the victory over the mind, non-violence is the foremost form of righteousness, rites like sacrifices creates ignorance, happiness is innate etc. resulted in a denial of blindly followed principles and actions, andÃÂ the formation of new progressive thoughts and principles. On its basis, the caste system, the practise of untouchability, idolatry, the temple oriented customs, animalÃÂ sacrifice, superstitions,ÃÂ institutionalized religion,ÃÂ were opposedÃÂ and the awareness that all men are equal was developed. As a rational intellect, heÃÂ stood for the rescue of poor, neglected and ignorant lay man and elevated them to a universal brotherhood.
Swami Sivayogi died on 10 September 1929 at the age of 77.
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