Guru's Famous Teachings
One in kind, one in faith, One in God is man Of one same womb, one there is at all.
In one of his messages to his disciples, Sri Narayana Guru said: "Inform the people about the general principles of religion and propagate faith in God. Strive to achieve external and internal cleanliness or the threefold cleanliness—of thought, word and deed. Speak to people about non-violence, love and unity, and make them observe these principles. Select and train suitable young men and send out the best and willing among them as monks to work for the good of others."
Gurudevan was born on 22 August 1856 in Kerala. Nanu Asan (Narayana Teacher) became a Sanskrit scholar and turned social reformer. He was popularly called Narayana Guru. He preached brotherhood for all and fought against the ill effects of the caste system which prevailed in the society in those days. She died on 20 September 1928.
Narayana Guru led a quiet but significant social revolution. A champion of the humble and the downtrodden, he gave the watchwords: "One Caste, One Religion, One God for all men".
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 across two people, who left a deep impression on him. One of them was Kunjan Pillai. He was also famous as Chattambi Swamikal. Thikkad Ayyavu was the other person.
Chattambi Swamikal was a great scholar and had studied under Pettayil Raman Pillai Asan. Narayana guru and Chattambi Swamikal were great friends with mutual respect. Nanu Asan wrote 'Nava Manjari'— a string of nine stanzas. It was dedicated to Chattambi Swamikal. Thikkad Ayyavu knew the Science of Yoga well. He taught it to Nanu Asan.
Guru did 'Tapas' in Pillathadam cave in Maruthvaamala, near Kanyakumari. This lonely life of intense meditation lasted for 7-8 years. It's a still a mystery how Guru managed to live so long in the caves solely dependent on essential plants and rare herbs.
The Vaikom Satyagraha
The leadership of the Satyagraha Movement was taken up by three young men—T.K.Madhavan, K. Kelappan and Krishnaswamy. T.K.Madhavan managed to get "the abolition of untouchability" to be included in the national program of the Congress at Kakinada Meeting.
The Satyagraha took place in a town called Vaikom. There, the way to the temple of Lord Shiva lay through a particular street and low-castes were not allowed to walk through. The Satyagraha was to put an end to this unjust rule. He encouraged the volunteers who were all his devotees and gave the Vellor Matom at the disposal of the volunteers. People who believed in very old practices opposed the Movement. The Satyagrahis suffered much trouble at their hands. But the Satyagrahis bore them with patience. At last, in April 1925, Gandhiji himself came to Vaikom to see that the question was settled. It was on this occasion that the Guru and Gandhiji met. Gandhiji had great regard for the Guru.
The Satyagraha succeeded only partially. Of course, the right of way in the public street was given to all people. But it was only in 1936 that the Travancore State Government issued an order in the name of the Maharaja and gave the right of entry to temples to the Harijans also, for the first time ever in the whole of India.
The Satyagraha ended, and Guru got a Primary School constructed for the use of poor children, as a memorial to it, on the spot where the Satyagraha was conducted.
Sree Narayana Club, Cochin, has its office situated on the sacred sands of Palluruthy where Gurudevan attended his last public function. It emphasises the eight goals of the Shivagiri pilgrimage.