Sree Narayana Guru : A Beacon

Aruvikkara  a place on the banks of Karamana River, in Trivandrum district,  where A Non Brahmin, that too from a Low Caste,  first Consecrated a Shiva Lingam. A revolution in its own against Brahmanical Order. And that was Sree Narayana Guru . He then wrote in Malayalam

"Jaathibhedam Mathadwesham 

Eathumillathey Sarvarum 

Sodarathwena Vaazhunna 

Mathrukasthanamanithu "

("this is the model abode where everyone will live in brotherhood , without animosity due to differences of caste and religion")

Nineteenth Century India was at its peak in Casteism. Atrocities on lower caste was at its worst. Untouchability was an accepted norm.

To fight against the ills of Caste discrimination , he advised

 "Oru jathi, oru matham, oru Daivam manushyanu". i.e. "One caste, One Religion,  One God for Man".

That was a revolutionary concept. Lower caste people united to fight against casteism.

He established Sarada Matham, a place of worship where at place of idol there is a Mirror, which indicates that God is residing in yourself.

Many Social Reformers like Ayyankali, Chattampi Swamikal and the like came into scene after arrival of Narayana Guru.

'Temple Entry Declaration' the permission for Lower caste people to enter Temple premises by Maharaja Chittira Thirunal, the King of Travancore was a Milestone in Kerala history.

Being a contemporary, Mahatma Gandhi Visited Sree Narayana Guru.

Sree Narayana Guru was born 20 August 1855 in Chathayam Star, in Chempazhanthi village in Trivandrum, Kerala. He was pivotal in the establishment of Sree Narayayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, an Organization primarily of the Ezhava community.

Today is a Birth Anniversary of Sree Narayana Guru, a Beacon in Social revolution of Kerala. It is celebrated as Chathayaghosham all over Kerala.

My Salutations and Respect to the Guru.

Col Ramesh R ( Retd)

02 Sept 2020