नारायण गुरु

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नारायण गुरु (1856 - 1928) was a great sage and social reformer of India. He transformed the social face of Kerala.

His father was a Sanskrit scholar and an Ayurvedic doctor. The child was named Narayanan (which normally gets a nickname 'Nanu').

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[edit] Early Life

Young Nanu showed great interest both in studies and in games. His writing was correct and easy to read. He excelled his companions in hitting a mark; at one attempt he could bring down a mango on a branch far above.

Nanu left home and went to Karunagapalli, a village fifty miles away from his native place. He studied under a generous and liberal-minded teacher called Kummampally Raman Pillai Asan. Raman Pillai taught Nanu with love. Soon Nanu became a scholar in Samskrita. He studied the Vedas and the Upanishads. He led a pure life. His knowledge earned him the respect of many. He became famous as Nanu Asan.

Nanu Asan (Narayan Teacher) became a Sanskrit Scholar and turned social reformer. Popularly called Narayan Guru. He preached brotherhood for all and fought against the ill effects of the caste system which prevailed in the society those days. Died on 20.09.1928.

Narayana Guru, considered by many a saint and reformer, led a quiet but significant social revolution. A champion of the humble and the downtrodden, he gave the watchwords : "One Caste, One Religion, One God for all men."

To Indians, the word Guru (Teacher) is a very sacred one. It has many meanings. It may mean that which is weighty and valuable; it may mean that which is worthy of honour; it may also mean that which dispels ignorance. The word with its several meanings is known in several countries of the world, in one form or the other, both in education and in religion.

Very little is known about the married life of Nanu Asan. In a nearby village called Chirayinkil, there was a doctor who used to cure snake bites and scorpion stings. He had a daughter. Nanu's sisters made him agree to marry that girl. The marriage was a simple affair. Nanu was not at all interested in it. The sisters themselves invested the bride with the 'Thaali' (emblem of wedding) on his behalf. The bride stayed away in her parents house, as was the custom in Kerala in those days. Nanu used to visit his father-in-law's house often. His wife passed away after a few years.

[edit] Wandering

After the death of his father and his wife Nanu Asan continued his life of a wandering Sanyasin. He became a 'Parivrajaka' (one who wanders from place to place in quest of Truth). During his travels he came in contact with two people, who left a deep impression on him. One of them was called Kunjan Pillai. He was also famous as Chattambi Swamikal. Thikkad Ayyavu was the other person. Chattambi Swamikal was a great scholar and had studied under Pettayil Raman Pillai Asan. Narayana guru and Chttambi Swamikal were great friends with mutual respect. Nanu Asan wrote 'Nava Manjari' - a string of nine stanzas. It was dedicated to Chattambi Swamikal. Thikkad Ayyavu knew the Science of Yoga well. He taught it to Nanu Asan.

Guru did 'Tapas' in Pillathadam Cave in Maruthvaamala, near Kanyakumari ( Cape Comorin). This lonely life of intense meditation, lasted for 7-8 long years. It's a still a mystery how Guru managed to live so long in the caves solely dependent on essential plants and rare herbs.

[edit] Aruvippuram

In 1888 something extraordinary happened at Aruvippuram village. Sri Narayana, who had been sitting apart and meditating all night, stood at midnight and walked into the river. As thousands watched silently ("If silence had music, the atmosphere was filled with it," wrote one correspondent) he descended into the river and then reemerged, holding a stone, symbolic of Shiva. He stood beneath the canopy with it in his arms for three hours, totally lost in meditation. Finally, at three in the morning, he installed the idol on the pedestal.

His action was the Keralite equivalent of overturning the tables of the money changers, or refusing to give up a seat on the bus. From the beginning of time, so far as anyone knew, only Brahmins had ever installed an idol. "Yet when Swami performed the sacred rite it appeared so natural for him to pick up a small rock and install it." When Brahmin authorities arrived to question him about his action, he gave an answer that still makes Keralites laugh. "I have installed only the Ezhava Shiva," he said, a mockery of caste that undermined its rotten superstructure more than his actual deed.

This was the final enlightenment. From that day, Yogi Nanu became `Narayana Guru'. The Guru had shown a new way: it was, that worship needs only a pure heart. It does not need the chantings and techniques of a priest. Nanu had shown the ever new ideal. It was the law which had come down the ages. He taught that all are equal before God, without any distinction of high or low.

[edit] Beginning of Social Reformation

This was the beginning of a Movement for Social Reform by Narayana Guru. 'Untouchability', animal sacrifice to please the gods, and the evil of drink existed in Travancore (Kerala) State also, as in all the other parts of India. The fact that 'all are men' was forgotten by the people. Now and then religious teachers who came upon the scene, taught about the true nature of 'Dharma' - the Law of Life. But still superstitious practices were the order of the day. Reformation was not an easy task. But Narayana Guru freely mingled with the people, and tried to make them understand their follies. He argued with them in a gentle manner. He won their hearts and worked hard to put an end to the practice of animal sacrifice. He made them pull down the temples meant for such sacri fices. He had new temples and schools built on the very spot by them.



[edit] Philosophical Works by Narayana Guru

[edit] In Malayalam

  1. Swanubavageethi
  2. Atmopadesa Sathakam
  3. Advaitha Deepika
  4. Arivu
  5. Daiva Desakam
  6. Jeevakarunya Panchakam
  7. Anukamba Dasakam
  8. Jathi Nirnayam
  9. Jathi Lakshanam
  10. Sadacharam
  11. Chijanda Chinthakam
  12. Daiva Chintanam - 1 & 2
  13. Athma Vilasam

[edit] In Sanskrit

  1. Darsana Mala
  2. Brahmavidya Panchakam
  3. Nirvruthi Panchakam
  4. Slokathrayi
  5. Vedantha Suthram
  6. Homa Thanthram
  7. Municharya Panchakam
  8. Asramam
  9. Dharmah
  10. Charama Slokangal

[edit] Bibiliography

  • Guru - Kumaranasante Drushtiyil : DC Books, Kottayam, Kerala
  • Srinarayana Guruvinte Sampoorna Kruthikal (Complete Works of Sri Narayana Guru): Mathrubhoomi Publishers, Kozhikode, Kerala
  • Sri Narayana Guruvinte Mathavum Sivagiriyum (Sivagiri and the Religion of Sri Narayana Guru): K. Maheshwaran Nair
  • Sri Narayana Guru - Darsanavum Kruthikalum: Editor: K.N.Shaji, Current Books, Trissur, Kerala

[edit] External Links

In other languages