Who was Narayana Guru? Everything You Need to Know

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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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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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.

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.

Narayana Guru Biography