Achyutadasar

Achyutadasar

Achyutadasar Portrait

இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: அச்சுததாசர் ‎

Achyutadasar (1850-1902) was a saint who composed Tamil keerthanas with spiritual essence. His Advaita Keerthanananda Lahari is of 300+ compositions in Tamil based on Advaita philosophy.

Birth, Education

Achyutadasar was born to Subbaraya Bhupathi and Kamakshi Ammal in 1850 at Polur in Tiruvannamalai district. His birth name was Abbai Naidu.

Achyutadasar's mother tongue was Telugu. However, Achyutadasar was well versed in Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit literatures. Achyutadasar was also a musical scholar with ability to write Keerthanas in these three languages.

Personal Life

Achyutadasar worked as a school teacher in Polur. Achyutadasar was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. Achyutadasar established a mutt and performed bhajans with his Tamil compositions. Noticing Achyutadasar's ardent devotion to Lord Vishnu, Venkatakrishna Dasa, a Vaishnavite from Kaspa, Vellore, rechristened himas Achyutadasar.

Achyutadasar married to Thayammai. But his's inner spiritual desire did not allow him continuing married life.

Spiritual Life

In the beginning of his spiritual quest, Achyutadasar learnt yoga from Venkammai of Potharai in Tiruvannamalai district. Later, Achyutadasar gave up his yoga practice due to health problems.

In search of a guru to learn Advaita philosophy, Achyutadasar found Sri Nijananda in Kailasagiri, Kadambur. After joining Sri Nijananda, Achyutadasar renounced his married life completely and became a saint. Achyutadasar sang pathigams in praise of Sri Nijananda. Achyutadasar learnt samadhi state of meditation from Sri Nijananda. Achyutadasar traveled extensively on foot to various places preaching advaita through his keerthanas.

Vallam Vaidyalingam Pillai who was chief disciple of Achyutadasar published his compositions in 1956.

Compositions

Achyutadasar composed keerthanas in three languages - Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit. Many of his keerthanas such as Arivaahi Nindraal Theriyum (If you are knowledgeable, you will know) and Sarvam Brahmamayam Thaan were influenced by the Advaita vision that Achyutadasar experienced. 300+ compositions of Achyutadasar were compiled under the title Advaita Keerthanananda Lahari. Sadananda Thandavam composed in Bahudari raga is an important one.

Achyutadasar also created intermediate plays such as Prahlada Charitram and Dhruva Charitram.

Books

• Dhyanaanubhuti (183 sections including Thiruneerthiyal, Panchakravya, Manolayam, Guruvarutpanmai and Shivanubhava Phaaya)
• Advaita Rasamanjari
• Sanmarka Tharpanam

Musical Plays

• Prahlada Charitram
• Sakku Bai Charitram
• Dhruva Charitram

Keerthanas

• Advaita Keerthanananda Lahari

Death

In 1902, Achyutadasar attained samadhi at the age of 52 in Vallam.

References

• Tamil Puzhavar Varisai - Achyutananda Adigal
• Achudasar Blogspot
• Tamil Isai Ilakiya Varalaru - M Arunachalam
• Dinamani weekly supplement
• Achyuta Dasar, the Saint Composer - VSA writes Blogspot

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