Achyutadasar
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: அச்சுததாசர்
Achyutadasar (1850-1902) was a saint who composed Tamil keerthanas with spiritual essence. More than 300 of his Tamil compositions based on Advaita philosophy is compiled in his Advaita Keerthanananda Lahari.
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 literature. Achyutadasar was also a musical scholar able to write keerthanas in these three languages.
Personal Life
Achyutadasar was a school teacher in Polur. Achyutadasar was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. Achyutadasar established a monastery and performed bhajans with his Tamil compositions. Noticing Achyutadasar's ardent devotion to Lord Vishnu, Venkatakrishna Dasa, a Vaishnavite from Kaspa, Vellore, gave him the name Achyutadasar.
Achyutadasar married to Thayammai. But his's inner spiritual desire did not allow him to remain married.
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 marriage and became a saint. Achyutadasar sang pathigams in praise of Sri Nijananda. Achyutadasar learnt the samadhi state of meditation from Sri Nijananda. Achyutadasar traveled extensively on foot to various places preaching Advaita through his keerthanas.
Vallam Vaidyalingam Pillai, Achyutadasar's chief disciple, 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. Over 300 of Achyutadasar's compositions 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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