Totapuri
Encyclopedia
Ishwar Totapuri affectionately known as "Nangta Baba" (1780-?), born likely in Punjab
, India, was a parivrajaka (wandering monk) who is said to have followed the path of the Advaita Vedanta
, which is often disputed due to the meager information that exists on Totapuri.
By the time he arrived at Dakshineswar Temple
in 1864, he was a wandering monk of the Dasnami order of Adi Shankara
, and head of a monastery in the Punjab claiming the leadership of seven hundred sannyasins. He is said to have initiated Ramakrishna
into Advaita Vedanta
, as well as Anandpuri Ji
from the Advait Mat
tradition.
Totapuri taught Ramakrishna that the sole reality of the impersonal Absolute could only be realized in a state of consciousness devoid of all conceptual forms. Ramakrishna described Totapuri as "a teacher of masculine strength, a sterner mien, a gnarled physique, and a virile voice", and addressed him affectionately as Nangta, the "Naked One", because as a renunciate
he did not wear any clothing.
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
, India, was a parivrajaka (wandering monk) who is said to have followed the path of the Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
, which is often disputed due to the meager information that exists on Totapuri.
By the time he arrived at Dakshineswar Temple
Dakshineswar Kali Temple
The Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar near Kolkata. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali, meaning, 'She who liberates Her devotees from the ocean of existence i.e Saṃsāra'...
in 1864, he was a wandering monk of the Dasnami order of Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
, and head of a monastery in the Punjab claiming the leadership of seven hundred sannyasins. He is said to have initiated Ramakrishna
Ramakrishna
Ramakrishna , born Gadadhar Chattopadhyay , was a famous mystic of 19th-century India. His religious school of thought led to the formation of the Ramakrishna Mission by his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda – both were influential figures in the Bengali Renaissance as well as the Hindu...
into Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
, as well as Anandpuri Ji
Anandpuri Ji
Sri Swami Anandpuri ji Maharaj is known as the founder of the Advait Mat tradition. He was initiated by Totapuri.When he was 90 years of age, he reportedly wrote in Urdu on a paper: "Accept Paramhansa Ram Yaad" referring to Dayal Ji, the one that went to become the "first master" of Advait...
from the Advait Mat
Advait Mat
Advait Mat was a cluster of movements in northern India which perceive themselves to be originating from Totapuri in the 18th century.- See also :* Totapuri* Anandpuri Ji* Advaitanand Ji* Swarupanand* Hans Ji Maharaj* Prem Rawat* Divine Light Mission...
tradition.
Totapuri taught Ramakrishna that the sole reality of the impersonal Absolute could only be realized in a state of consciousness devoid of all conceptual forms. Ramakrishna described Totapuri as "a teacher of masculine strength, a sterner mien, a gnarled physique, and a virile voice", and addressed him affectionately as Nangta, the "Naked One", because as a renunciate
Renunciate
Renunciate refers to someone who has renounced lay life, generally to pursue ordination or monastic life. The term is used in a number of religions:Catholic:*Novice*PostulantBuddhist:*SamaneriHindu:*SannyasaTo turn away from....
he did not wear any clothing.