Poonthanam Nambudiri
Poonthanam Nambudiri | |
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Malapuram district, Kerala | |
Died | 1640 CE |
Religion | Hinduism |
Known for | Poet, Vaishnavism (Krishna) |
Part of a series on |
Vaishnavism |
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Poonthanam Nambudiri (1547–1640 CE) was a famous poet and a devotee of
Many hymns and prayer songs which are still popular in Kerala have been attributed to Poonthanam.
Early life
Poonthanam was born in 1547 in the month of
Poonthanam and Melpathur
He was a contemporary of
Works
The chief poems of Poonthanam are Jnanappana, Bhasha Karnamritam and Kumaraharanam or Santanagopalam Pana. Jnanappana (transliteration: The Song of Divine Wisdom) is a veritable storehouse of transcendental knowledge which is firmly rooted in the experiences of this world. In a language, absolutely free from regionalism and dialectal influences, unadorned with excessive rhetorical features, through a series of concrete pictures taken from contemporary life, the poet is able to drive home his perception of the short lived nature of the ephemeral aspects of life. His religious meditations flow uncluttered and unencumbered with irrelevant matter. Jnanappana has been transcreated into English by poet cum writer Dr Gopi Kottoor, the book "Poonthanam's Hymns - The Fountain Of God" is published by Writer's Workshop, Calcutta.[7]
Bhasha Karnamritam is a devotional work intended to create devotion to
Bhakti
Poonthanam preached Namasmaranam, or the constant remembrance of the Lord's name, as the only way to reach Him. He emphasised the futility of material existence and advocated instead service to the Lord through the
Over a period of time , Poonthaanam has acquired the status of most sought after commentator of the scriptures in Guruvaayoor Temple. He was also like a VIP in any of the Forums. In the regular feast held in the temple, Poonthaanam was accorded the most prominent seat meant for the VIP. One day certain other important dignitary had arrived in the temple. The authorities concerned asked Poonthaanam to vacate the main seat for accommodating the guest. Hesitatingly, Poonthaanam made way. However, thereupon happened one more incorporeal proclamation from the sanctum sanctorum:" Poonthaanam need not stay in the temple any more with unfriendly people as I have decided to come to your house. I will visit your house (on such and such date) and stay there for ever".[citation needed]
Poonthaanam obeyed the divine command and proceeded to his house. On the destined day he was seen extending hospitality to the invisible guest at his house- apparently the visit by God. He constructed a temple to install the lord on the "left" side of the house and it had come to be known as the left side temple during his times.This temple is now known by the name Edathupuram Poonthanam Sree Krishna temple.The main deity here is believed to be the representation of Guruvayurappan. For those who could not visit Guruvayur temple due to health or personal reasons can visit this temple instead.[citation needed]
Death
According to legend, Poonthanam left this world in his body in 1640. When he announced his departure for his Lord's abode, he invited anyone who wanted to join him, which all the villagers declined. Ultimately, only a maid who had been nursing his ailing wife joined him on this journey.[2][6]
See also
References
- ISBN 978-81-230-2188-1.
- ^ a b "Devotee the Lord loved". The Hindu. 20 July 2012.
- ^ "Guruvayur Devaswom". www.guruvayurdevaswom.org. Archived from the original on 18 February 2005.
- ^ "Steps to develop Poonthanam Illam". The Hindu. 14 July 2006. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013.
- ^ "Stage for Bhakti". The Hindu. 17 September 2010.
- ^ a b "To lovers of Krishna, in Tamil". The Hindu. 19 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Transcreating Poonthanam". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
- ^ "Rendered with devotion". 13 March 2009.