Narayana Guru Biography 
Narayana Guru is an Indian Hindu saint who is also called as Sree Narayana Guru Swami. He is a social reformer with poetic proficiency, Vedic knowledge and non-violent philosophy. He worked for the social and spiritual uplifting of the downtrodden people of the society. He established temples and educational institutions for them and tried to remove the superstitions.
He was born on 22nd August 1856 in Chempazhanthi village near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. His parents are Madan Asan and Kutti Amma. He was called as Nanu in his younger days. He had three sisters. His first teacher was Chempazhanthi Pillai who initiated him into the traditional formal education called Ezhuthinirithal. His uncle Krishnan Vaidyan and his father taught him the basics of the Tamil and Sanskrit languages and other subjects like Siddharupam, Balaprobhodhanam and Amarakosam.
He lost his mother when he was 15 and spent his time assisting his father and uncle in the practice of Ayurveda and tutoring. He got Sanskrit and poetry lessons from Kummampilli Raman Pillai Asan. He married Kaliamma. After the death of his parents he became a wandering Sanyasi.
He moved to his hermitage in the forests of Maruthwamala and practiced meditation and Yoga. He founded an Ashram at Aluva in 1913 called Advaita Ashram which was dedicated to the principle of Om Sahodaryam Sarvatra. Universal Brotherhood conference was held in 1921 and all religions conference was held in 1924 at Aluva.
His famous teachings are One Religion, One God for Man, Ask not Say not Think not of caste Think only of Gods, Liquor is poison and do not make it sell it or drink it, Love of others is my happiness, Progress through education, etc. He is a re-evaluator of Advaita Vedanta. He promoted education, devotion to God, agriculture, cleanliness, handicrafts and technical training. Some of his literary works are Arivu, Daiva Dasakam, Shiva Shathakam, Kolatheereshastavam, Bhadrakaalyashtakam, Darsana Mala, Homa Mantram, Charama Slokangal, Dharmam, Asramam, Vedantha Suthram, Slokathrayi, Thevarappathinkangal, etc. He died on 20th September, 1928.
Published: N/A
Updated: August 03, 2011
