Sree Narayana Guru was a social reformer, a mystic yogi, a philosopher, a visionary and a poet, all blended into one.His spiritual attainments were used for transforming the society to a new, harmonious and much needed social order. Through many poems and verses (in Sanskrit, Malayalam and Tamil), philosophical thoughts, messages and conversations, he expressed his ideas on the problems faced by society.
Sree Narayana Guru was born in an Indian village, Chempazhanti in Kerala, on 26th of August 1854. After his education in Sanskrit and Ayurveda, he set out in search of truth. He learned Vedic philosophy and Upanishads. Instead of remaining in solitude and enjoying the divine bliss for himself, he opted to utilize his spiritual achievements and wisdom, for the betterment of humanity. He interpreted the essence of Vedic philosophy in its purest perspective and propounded the theory of universal brotherhood of mankind.
Sree Narayana guru is now considered, across the whole world, as one of the most divine individuals, who believed in the ultimate unity of all mankind, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. The new philosophy as represented in the practical teachings of Sree Narayana Guru, aims at unifying, thoughts of all religions.
Sree Narayana Guru had written over 62 books in Sanskrit, Malayalam and Tamil put together.Most popular among them are “Atmopadeshashadhakam” (one hundred verses of self-instruction) written in Malayalam which is widely regarded as a literary and philosophical masterpiece and “Darshanamala” written in Sanskrit. His universally acceptable messages are reflected in these books. Some of Guru’s messages are:-
- “One Caste, One religion, One God for man”.
- “Whatever be the religion, it is enough if man becomes good”.
- “Ask not, think not, and say not caste”.
- “Acts that one performs for one’s own sake should also aim at the good of other men”.
- “Gain freedom through education”.
- “Gain strength through organization”.
- “Gain prosperity through industry”.
- “Liquor is poison: make it not, sell it not and drink it not”.
- “Of one in kind, one in faith, one in god is man, of the same womb, one same form, difference none there is at all”.
