Shree Narayana Guru

To Indians, the word Guru (Teacher) is a very sacred one. It has many meanings. It may mean that which is weighty and valuable; it may mean that which is worthy of honour; it may also mean that which dispels ignorance. The word with its several meanings is known in several countries of the world, in one form or the other, both in education and in religion. Guru and Guruhood are revered.

The mother is the first Guru to a child. Then comes the father. Later, he who gives knowledge is the Guru. After that comes the Guru who teaches the secret of good life and of true happiness. Last of all, when wisdom comes, one is a Guru unto oneself.

Though Gurus be many, Guruhood is the same for all. From the knowledge a disciple gains from his Guru, he himself becomes a Guru. That Guru imparts knowledge to his disciple in turn. Thus the Guru tradition has continued without a break from times immemorial. The Gurus appearing in different times taught men how to live a good and useful life. They have also given the world knowledge that is of high value to man's life. The world has witnessed many a crisis. The knowledge given by the Guru has survived them all.

In India, the Vedic Rishi and before him the Shiva-Yogi, the Upanishadic seers, and a number of others Valmiki, Vyasa, Buddha, Shankara, Ramanuja, Basava, Madhva, Samartha Ramadas, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Gandhi, Ramana - have all come in the Guru tradition. There are saints, Jnanies (men of wisdom) and lovers of mankind among them. They have helped to enrich Knowledge, Science, Art, Literature and Spiritual Values. Around them have grown up story, legend and history.

The 'Word' of the Guru
Every part of India is hailed as a sacred land. It is due to the influence of some Guru. But some among the Gurus have practised in their own lives the ever-true, ever-living and universal principles of Guruhood. They have taught men about them. They have left something very precious to mankind. They do not know the limitations of time and place.

Religious or caste differences do not bind them. They are like the pure air that blows everywhere giving cheer to all. They are like the life-giving Amrita or ambrosia, which is welcomed by all and at all, times. They teach no distinction of birth or status. These Gurus show the greatness and the uniqueness of the enlightened ones. They represent the time-old Guruhood which cannot be described in words.Even though they may not speak out, there is great power in their very look.The teaching or the word of the Guru' can show the path of freedom from sorrow and evil in the world. The 'word' of Narayana Guru of Kerala belongs to such a tradition.

Blessed Souls in the Land of Beauty
Kerala is a state on the westcoast of South India. The Western Ghats and the sea bound it. Rills and streams flow there in large numbers. In olden times, it was famous as 'Malabar' or 'Malayalam'. Malabar comprised two Princely States - Travancore and Cochin. When India became free, the two states merged into one with the name 'Kerala'.

Kerala has been well known in and outside India from very early times. Its people were brave and adventurous by nature. They sailed over the high seas and carried on trade with European countries. India became known in all those countries. Kerala is the land of the beauty of nature and of peace. Brought up there in the cradle of nature many men grew - Joe holy. It is the pride of Kerala that it gave birth to the great teacher-saint Shankara.

The capital of Kerala isTiruvanantapura (Trivandrum). There is a famous temple in this city. It is the temple of Sri Anantapad- manabha. It is one of the many names of God Vishnu. He is called 'Padmanabha' because a lotus or Padma rose from his Nabhi i.e., navel.

Nanu's Parents
Champazendy is a village twelve miles to the northeast of Tiruvanantapura. Coconut palms grow there in plenty. Palm leaves are used to cover the roofs of houses. The place is rich in vegetation. The jack and the mango trees grow in a undance. There was a farmer's family called 'Vyallvaram' in the village. The family belonged to the Ezhava sect. Madan Asan was the head of the family. Kutti Amma was his wife. To this couple a male child was born on the twentieth of August in 1854. It was named 'Nanu' (which means Narayana).

Madan was not only a farmer. He was an Asan too. Asan means 'Acharyan' – a teacher. He knew Samskrita (Sanskrit), and had studied Astrology and Ayurveda. The people of the village highly respected him. He used to help the rustics by advising them on many matters. His dress was simple. He wore a piece to wrap round the waist, and a piece to cover the upper part of the body. He carried with him a palm- leaf umbrella, whenever he left home. That was the custom in those days in Kerala.

As Madan was learned in Samskrita, he knew well the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, our great epics. He used to give talks on them in simple language once a week, sitting in the verandah of his house. The people of the village used to gather and listen to him with great interest. Nanu too would listen with interest. Some times when Madan was not present, he had to give the talks himself.

Nanu's mother was true to her name 'Kutti' - i.e., a child without a blemish. She was intelligent and full of kindness. She was ever calm in her work.

Nanu Becomes Nanu Asan
Young Nanu was slim, active and clever. He had good physique. He showed great interest both in studies and in games. He was always first in the class. His writing was correct and easy to read. He excelled his companions in hitting a mark; at one attempt he could bring down a mango on a branch far above.

Nanu lost his mother when he was fifteen years old. Then he left home without even telling his father about it. He went to Karunagapalli, a village fifty miles away from his native place. He studied under a generous and liberal-minded teacher called Raman Pillai Asan. Raman Pillai taught Nanu with love. Soon Nanu became a scholar in Samskrita. He studied the Vedas and the Upanishads. He led a pure life. His knowledge earned for him the respect of many. He became famous as Nanu Asan.

Thirteen years after the death of his mother, Nanu returned once to his village to see his father, who was on his deathbed. It was a great joy to the father to see his son after a long time. He was proud of his son who had become an Asan too. He addressed him as a Vidwan (scholar). He also desired to be fed by his sacred hands.

Nanu's Wife
Very little is known about the married life of Nanu Asan. In a nearby village called Chirainkal, there was a doctor who used to cure snake bites and scorpion stings. He had a daughter. Nanu's sisters made him agree to marry that girl. The marriage was a simple affair. Nanu was not at all interested in it. He was interested in reciting the Ramayana and explaining it to others. The sisters themselves invested the bride with the 'Tali'(emblem of wedding on his behalf. The bride stayed away in her parents’ house, as was the custom in Malayalam in those days. Nanu used to visit his father-in-law's house often. His, wife passed away after a few years. It is not known whether she bore him any children.

'Parivrajaka' (A Spiritual Wanderer)
After the death of his father and his wife Nanu Asan continued his life of a wandering Sanyasin. He became a 'Parivrajaka' (one who wanders from place to place in quest of Truth). During his travels he came in contact with two Gurus, who left a deep impression on him. One of them was called Kunjan Pillai. He was also famous as Chettambi Swami. Thikkad Ayyavu was the other Guru. Chettambi Swami was a great scholar. He understood the innate powers of Nanu Asan. He encouraged Nanu who was shy by nature. He induced him to compose poems in Samskrita. Nanu Asan wrote 'Nava Manjari' - a string of nine stanzas. It was dedicated to Chettambi Swami. Thikkad Ayyavu knew the Science of Yoga well. He taught it to Nanu Asan.

Yogi Nanu
Learning from the sacred books and the practice of Yoga did not give peace of mind to Nanu Asan. He continued his wanderings in quest of Truth. By and by, he came to a place called Aruvipuram. It was a forest area. There were hills around. A gurgling rivulet also flowed there. It was a solitary place. There was deep peace. Nanu stayed there and entered into meditation. Only cowherds used to visit that place now and then. They were full of wonder to see a Yogi in meditation. They spread the news far and wide. Soon people began to come in-groups to see the Yogi. In course of time, the number of visitors grew. This disturbed Nanu. He tried to hide himself in greater solitude. His meditations too became deeper. At last, he realized peace of mind. He got confidence in himself and faith in life. He realized that true joy lied in doing good to others. He found divine joy in human association. Soon, Yogi Nanu's place became a centre of sacred pilgrimage. An Ashram was founded there. There was no temple for worship. At the suggestion of Yogi Nanu people agreed to build a temple for Lord Shiva there.

The question in the minds of all was: How should the idol be installed? Should they follow the old practices and customs?"

Dedicating the Temple A New Way
The day for the dedication of the temple arrived. Thousands of people assembled with great eagerness. "How will the idol of Shiva be installed? With what chantings and rites will it be done?" The large assembly was anxiously awaiting the great moment.

Yogi Nanu rose in the early hours of the day. He bathed in the rivulet. He stood amidst the people in deep meditation. He offered Arati (the sacred flame) to the Lingam, which was the idol of Lord Shiva. Then he stood with eyes uplifted towards the heavens. He offered silent prayer. His prayer was: "May the Grace of Lord Shiva increase without bounds! May the poor and the hungry find happiness! May they progress well! May they find without fait, their daily bread! May all men be truthful, and work to increase the happiness of one another by mutual aid! May they become purer day by day! May hatred and jealously disappear! May the mind, which honors the meanest in God’s creation, take shape in all men! May at least the least part of Absolute Truth take root in all! May peace come to all!"