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Sree Narayana Guru
Context:
On the 170th birth anniversary of Sree Narayana Guru, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reflected on the saint reformer’s teachings that challenged caste supremacy and social injustices.
About Sree Narayana Guru:
- Birth and Early Life
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- Born on August 22, 1856, in Chempazhanthy, Kerala.
- Belonged to the Ezhava caste; faced social discrimination from an early age.
- Showed an early inclination towards spirituality, asceticism, and deep contemplation.
- Education and Spiritual Journey:
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- Learned Vedas, Upanishads, Sanskrit, Hatha Yoga, and other philosophies.
- Lived as a hermit for eight years in the forest, eventually attaining enlightenment.
- Social Reform and Anti-Caste Movement:
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- Gave the famous slogan: “One Caste, One Religion, One God for All.”
- Built a Shiva temple at Aruvippuram in 1888, challenging caste-based restrictions.
- Installed mirrors instead of idols in a temple at Kalavancode, symbolising that divinity resides within everyone.
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- Opposed religious conversions; organised the first All-Region Conference in 1923.
- Key Contributions and Movements:
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- Established the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) in 1903.
- Promoted the Sivagiri pilgrimage in 1924, advocating virtues like cleanliness, education, and trade.
- Inspired the Vaikom agitation for temple entry rights for lower castes, gaining national attention.
- Philosophy and Literary Works:
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- Proponent of Advaita Vedanta, emphasising non-duality.
- Authored several works like Advaitha Deepika, Darsanamala, and Daivadasakam.
- His teachings emphasised unity, equality, and self-improvement through education and clean living.
- Legacy and Death:
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- Passed away on September 20, 1928; observed as Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi in Kerala.
- His philosophy of Universal Oneness remains relevant today, especially in promoting social harmony in a divided world.