Narayan Guru was a spiritual, religious, and social reformer. He is respected not only in India but also in Sri Lanka.
Born:
- 28 August 1855 in Tiruvanthpuram, Kerala in non-brahmin by birth.
Died:
- 20 September 1928
Education:
- Early education in Gurukula.
- Later studies Sanskrit, Vedas, Upanishads, and literature.
After his education, he started teaching local children in villages. He got married also but left home later for the greater good of society.
He traveled to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka.
He practiced mediation and yoga.
His contributions to society:
- He also established the idol of Shiva and upper cast brahmin questioned the right of Narayan Guru but later all are justified by his actions.
- He builds many temples, schools, village Industries, craft ownership trade, handicrafts, and established the idea of compassion and religious tolerance. Temples and schools are for all caste.
- He had written famous book names as" Anukampadasakam', in his book he praised Krishna, Buddha, Adishankara, Jesus Christ.
- He taught equality and opposed the religious conversion as conversion create conflict among communities.
- For countering religious conversion, Narayan guru organized all religious conference in 1923 at Adwaita ashram.
- Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatmas Gandhi also met Narayan guru and supported his views and works.
- He advocated the Advaita philosophy of Sankaracharya and devoted all his life to the betterment of society rather than seeking Mukti.
- He advocated equality of man and gave the message of "One Caste, One religion, one God for humankind"
For the detailed explanation, watch the below video:
Sources: NCERT, Times now
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon