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Narayana Guru Biography

(Spiritual Leader, Social Reformer)

Birthday: August 20, 1856 (Leo)

Born In: Chempazhanthy, Thiruvananthapuram, India

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Narayana Guru, also known as Shree Narayana Guru Swami, was a spiritual leader, saint and social reformer from Kerala, India. He belonged to the Ezhava community considered as 'Avarna' or belonging to the lower caste. He was a social reformer and led a movement to end the injustices prevalent in the Hindu caste-ridden society in Kerala. He believed in spiritualism, social equality, freedom, and brotherhood. He dedicated his entire life to promoting spiritual enlightenment. He is venerated as a saint and “Guru” for his profound Vedic knowledge, poetic excellence, and his teachings of tolerance and non-violence, which impacted a large population in India as well as abroad. He was instrumental in laying the groundwork for social and spiritual reform in Kerala. He believed that spiritual and social growth could be attained by education and establishment of learning centers. Thus, he built several temples, schools, and education centers for the underprivileged. He dismissed the 'Chaturvarna' and the beliefs attached to it. Many years after his death, he was commemorated on an Indian postage stamp by the Indian government. The Sri Lankan government also issued a commemorative stamp in his honor.

Birthday: August 20, 1856 (Leo)

Born In: Chempazhanthy, Thiruvananthapuram, India

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Social Reformers #91
Spiritual & Religious Leaders #210
Miscellaneous #9695
Social Reformers #91
Spiritual & Religious Leaders #210
Miscellaneous #9695
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Quick Facts

Indian Celebrities Born In August

Nick Name: Nanu

Also Known As: Shree Narayana Guru Swami

Died At Age: 72

Family:

father: Madan Asan

mother: Kuttiyamma

Born Country: India

Social Reformers Spiritual & Religious Leaders

Died on: September 20, 1928

place of death: Sivagiri, Kerala, India

Founder/Co-Founder: Alwaye Advaita Ashram

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You wanted to know

  • 1

    What were the main teachings of Narayana Guru?

    Narayana Guru emphasized the principles of social equality, self-respect, and spiritual enlightenment. He advocated for the eradication of the caste system and promoted the idea of one humanity.

  • 2

    How did Narayana Guru contribute to the reformation of society in India?

    Narayana Guru played a significant role in social reform by challenging caste-based discrimination and promoting education for all. He established temples as centers of social reform and advocated for spiritual upliftment.

  • 3

    What is the significance of the message "One Caste, One Religion, One God?"

    Narayana Guru's message of "One Caste, One Religion, One God" reflects his belief in the unity of all beings and the importance of transcending divisions based on caste, religion, or social status. He aimed to promote harmony and equality among all individuals.

  • 4

    How did Narayana Guru promote education and empowerment among marginalized communities?

    Narayana Guru established schools and educational institutions that provided access to education for people from all backgrounds, including those from lower castes and marginalized communities. He believed in empowering individuals through knowledge and self-improvement.

  • 5

    What was the role of Narayana Guru in promoting spiritual enlightenment and self-realization?

    Narayana Guru emphasized the importance of spiritual practices, meditation, and self-realization for individuals seeking inner peace and enlightenment. He encouraged people to look within themselves to discover their true nature and connect with the divine.

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Childhood & Early Life
Narayana Guru, lovingly known as 'Nanu,' was born on August 28, 1855, in Chempazhanthy near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. His father, Madan Asan, was a farmer from the Ezhava community, and his mother was Kuttiyamma.
He was educated in the traditional gurukul system under the tutelage of Chempazhanthi Mootha Pillai. His mother passed away when he was only 15 years old.
At the age of 21, he traveled to Travancore (modern-day Thiruvananthapuram) to learn from the Sanskrit scholar Raman Pillai Asan, who belonged to the Puthuppally Varanappally family. From him, Narayana Guru learned the Vedas, the Upanishads, literature, and logic rhetoric in Sanskrit.
In 1881, he abandoned his studies and returned to his village owing to his father's ill health. He also set up a small village school to educate local children, where he was known as "Nanu Asan."
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Social Reformer
Narayana Guru left his village and home to begin his life as a spiritual wanderer. He traveled extensively through Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It was during his journeys that he became associated with the social and religious reformer Chattampi Swamikal, who, in turn, introduced Guru to Ayyavu Swamikal, who taught him meditation and yoga.
After years of traveling, he set up a sanctuary at Pillathadam cave at Maruthwamala and remained there for eight years, meditating and practicing yoga.
In 1888, he went to Aruvippuram, where he meditated and took a rock from the river and sanctified it as a Shiva idol, which is now known as the Aruvippuram Shiva Temple.
Since Guru belonged to a lower caste, the upper caste Brahmins questioned the act of him performing the consecration known as "Aruvipuram Pratishta," and his right to consecrate the Shiva idol.
On May 15, 1903, he, along with Padmanabhan Palpu, founded the 'Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam' (SNDP) that worked towards the spiritual upliftment and education of the underprivileged Ezhava community.
In 1904, Guru moved to Sivagiri, near Varkala, and established a school for children from the lower sections of the society who were often discriminated against and segregated.
In 1912, he built the Sarada Mutt in Sivagiri. He also established several temples in Thrissur, Kozhikode, Anchuthengu, Kannur, Mangalore, and Thalassery and even traveled to Sri Lanka in 1926.
He initiated several activities, including the Sivagiri pilgrimage organized after his visit to Pallathuruthy in 1927.
Fight Against Casteism
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, casteism was the order of the day in the Indian society. People from lower castes like the Thiyyas and Ezhavas and the untouchable castes like Pulayars, Paraiyars and tribals suffered at the hands of the Brahmins.
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Even Guru wasn't spared of these atrocities, and hence as his first act of protest, he erected the Siva idol at Aruvippuram in 1888. He built over forty-five temples in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
He even sanctified several non-traditional objects like a slab with the inscriptions “Truth, Ethics, Compassion,” a vegetarian Shiva, a mirror, and also a sculpture made by an Italian artist.
He preached about living with compassion and tolerance for each other. One of his significant works, the "Anukampadasakam," praises the teachings of The Buddha, Krishna, Jesus Christ, and Adi Shankara.
Vaikom Satyagraha
The Vaikom Satyagraha was a social protest that began when people from the lower castes rebelled against untouchability practiced in the Hindu society of Travancore.
Reportedly, when an upper caste person stopped Narayana Guru on the way to Vaikom Temple, his followers and supporters were agitated and thus sparked the Vaikom Satyagraha.
Guru's disciples Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker and Kumaran Asan wrote poems disapproving of the incident. In 1918, another follower, T. K. Madhavan, appealed to the Sree Moolam Popular Assembly for their right to enter any temple without any discrimination based on caste.
Protesters like K. Kelappan and K. P. Kesava Menon formed a group and declared it the 'Kerala Paryatanam.' Mahatma Gandhi also supported the movement, and it snowballed into a mass movement.
As a result, the temple was opened to all, and three roads leading to it were built for people of all castes. This protest played a significant role in the Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936.
Writings & Philosophy
Narayana Guru wrote several religious works like "Atmopadesa Śatakam" and "Daiva Dasakam," which are collections of spiritual poems and prayers.
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He also translated texts like "Thirukural of Valluvar," "Ozhivil Odukkam of Kannudaiya Vallalaar," and "Ishavasya Upanishad."
He believed in and preached the maxim "One Caste, One Religion, One God for All" (Oru Jathi, Oru Matham, Oru Daivam, Manushyanu).
He even propagated the non-dualistic philosophy of Adi Sankara, combining it with the concepts of social equality and brotherhood.
Family & Personal Life
Unfortunately, very little is known about Narayana Guru's personal life. However, it is known that he married Kaliamma when he was about 27 years of age. He did not live with his wife for long.
The visit to Pallathuruthy in 1927 was the final trip made by Narayana Guru. His health was deteriorating, and he had several physicians caring for him in his last days.
He moved to Sarada Mutt in Sivagiri in 1928, and died on September 20 of the same year.
His tomb is situated in Sivagiri, and every year September 20 is observed as 'Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi.' His birth anniversary is observed as 'Sree Narayana Jayanthi' and both days remain public holidays in his honor.
Facts About Narayana Guru

Narayana Guru was a strong advocate for social equality and worked tirelessly to promote harmony among people of different castes and religions.

He was known for his philosophical teachings that emphasized self-realization, self-improvement, and the importance of education.

Narayana Guru was a poet and writer, composing many devotional songs and hymns that continue to inspire people to this day.

He founded several educational institutions to provide quality education to all, regardless of social status or background.

Narayana Guru was a visionary leader who believed in the power of unity and spiritual enlightenment to bring about positive change in society.

See the events in life of Narayana Guru in Chronological Order

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