Sri Narayana Guru and the Izhava Movement
Narayana Guru was born in 1856, at Chempazhanthi, a village about ten miles north east of Trivandrum.
He was the only son among the four children of Madan Asan and Kutty Amma.
The boy was called Nanu. Later his followers called him Gurudevan.
He learned Malayalam, Sanskrit and Tamil.
His uncle and Ayurvedic Physician taught him Ayurvedic Medicine
During this time, he began to develop his religious life –worship in nearby temple and solitary meditation.
At the age of 14 he was already known as a Nanu Bhaktan
He learned advanced Sanskrit from a teacher by the name of Raman Pillay Asan
He also learned Poetry, drama and literary criticism with rhetoric
In 1881, he opened a school on the indigenous model and became a teacher for a
few years.
At 28 he married, but does not seem to have led a family life
This was a period of intense struggle between spiritual longing and worldly life
His father died in 1884. His mother died when he was 15 years.
During this time he met Chattampi Swamikal and they become friends.
Chattampi Swami introduced him to Ayyavu who became his master of spiritual
exercises such as Yoga
After learning Yoga he spent some time on a hill in lonely meditation.
By now he became a religious leader to the Izhavas.
Consecration of a
temple at Aruvippuram
His first attempt to revive the religious life of ht Izhavas caused him to consecrate a
temple for the people of his own caste.
It was on a lonely jungle hill named Aruvippuram, near the river Neyyar.
Many Izahavas became his devotees
Brahmins criticized him
His response was: he had consecrated not a ‘Brahmin Shiva’ but an ‘Izhava Shiva’.
He believed that education and trade were essential for the progress of the Izhavas.
Formation of an
Association
In 1899 he registered an organization for the administration and functioning of th establishment at Aruvippurum.
It was called ‘Vavoottu Yogam’
Dr. Palpu
During this time Palpu, the first doctor of medicine among the Izhavas joined him.
Palpu represented the needs and disabilities of the Izhavas to the Travancore government.
He represented the cause of his community in the meeting of the Indian National
Congress
Most of his efforts failed. His attempt to start a’Izhava Mahajana Sabha’ also failed because of lack of interest among the Izhavas.
Kumaran Asan
He was a poet and social worker among the Izhavas. He was encouraged by Guru. After his education he joined Aruvippuram.
During this time Vvvootu Yogam changed into Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam.
It is an organization for the propagation of the ethics of Sree Narayana guru.
Varkala Ashram
Soon Narayana guru established an ashram at Varakala, and an mutt around 1907. Varkala became his head quarter. The temple at Varkala had as the chief deity ‘Sarada”, the goddess of wisdom.
In two places there was no deity but mirror.
In all these places he initiated Izhavas as priests.
Advaita Ashram of Alwaye was another important institution established by Narayana Guru.
A Sanskrit school was also opened there. It was to break Brahmin monopoly on Sanskrit language.
He opposed all the unnecessary and meaningless customs of the Izhavas.
One of such was Thalikettu kalyanam’ or a ritual marriage for infant girls .
He introduced a simple form of marriage.
He also introduced Makkathayam i.e. patrimonial system of inheritance for the stability of the family.
He spoke against drinking toddy.
leading to the temple in Vikam by an upper caste person.
Entry to the road, etc
Discouraged demon worship. Consecrated temples and initiated Izhavas as priests.
He opposed the traditional Kavu worship and encouraged to cut the trees and cultivate the land.
Spoke against, animal sacrifice, alcohol offering
Educational concerns of Narayana Guru
He paid much attention to educational work.
Once Gandhi met Narayana Guru at Varkala and asked him what would uplift the Harijans. His reply was education and wealth.
He felt the need for Sanskrit and English education.
His position was advitic.
One caste: the idea of equality. caste and untouchability are serious stumbling block
for human progress. All are equal before God. Envisaged a casteless society.
He blamed sanatana dharma for caste. He associated himself with lower castes and interdined with them. Took low caste boys to his ashram. No one in the Ashram was allowed to ask or tell about their other’s caste. Gave new names to avoid caste tag. Advocated inter caste marriages.
One religion: though Savite. While upholding the view that Hinduism contain
everything necessary for salvation, did not deny the efficacy of other religions. he also talked about secular emancipation. Izhavas’ conversion to Christianity was for social improvement. Some time he claimed that he has no religion or caste. Conversion from one religion to other is not necessary. Need is conversion within the religion. Hinduism does not have any particular form of religion. Hinduism is the common name for the religions of the people of India. Even Christians can be called Hindus. Religion for men and not the otherwise. Organized “All Religions Meeting” at Advaita Ashram in Alwaye in March 1924 for religious harmony.
One God: base is Brahman in Advaita.
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