Guru

The Guru was born on the 26th of August (1855) at Chempazhanthy, a village about 12 km north of Trivandrum, in a middle class Ezhava family. His father Madan Asan was a farmer and the village schoolmaster and his wife Kuttiamma was a kind hearted pious woman. After three daughters, a son was born to them, on the third day after the Onam festival, under the star of Shathabhisham (Chathayam in Malayalam). The boy's maternal uncle, Krishnan Vaidyar, a physician and astrologer, predicted that this boy would change the course of history.

The boy was christened 'Narayana' and was fondly called 'Nanu'. Nanu grew up like a normal child, with the natural mischievous tendencies of an intelligent child. The practical jokes he played indicated the future iconoclast and the rationalist. He used to get into the room of worship and consume the sweets and plantains offered to the family deity, before it was pronounced blessed.

As a child, Nanu did not care for the rules of untouchability, because he did not find any logic in it.
Nanu was introduced to formal education on a Vijayadasami Day by Chempazhanthi Pillai, the local Nair Chief and Village Officer. Nanu proved to be a brilliant child who imbibed everything. He was exposed to Sanskrit Language and literature at home also. Within a short period he gained so much knowledge that he had to be sent for higher education. He was sent to Kummampally Raman Pillai, under the patronage of the Varanapally household. In due course of time Nanu became an expert in Ayurvedam, a scholar of Sanskrit, Hindu Scriptures and Philosophy.

He wanted to be a teacher, but his family would not permit him to teach Parayas, Pulayas and Kuravas who were supposed to be lower castes than 'Ezhava'. As an educated young man, he tried to protest against this discrimination, but his family would not listen. The family tried to tie him down in a marriage. But he broke free and to register his protest, he left his home. The seeds of revolution were sown in his mind. His mind was in confusion - the confusion that prevails in the mind of every seeker of Truth.

He wandered about in search of Truth. During his wanderings he worked for sometime in a Tamil book shop, Trivandrum. He learnt Tamil during this period and devoured Tamil literature and philosophical treatise like Thirukkural, etc. He became so proficient in Tamil that in future he could compose poetry in Tamil.
While he was wandering through Manakkad area, he met Kunjan Pillai Chattambi (who later became Chattambi Swamy) who was a social revolutionary in the making. They became quit intimate resulting in a life friendship. Discussions with Chattambi Swamy might have helped him to organise his thoughts.
He learnt yogic practice which made his inner powers explicit. He lived with the poor and ate the food given by the untouchables. He discussed religion with Christians and Muslims. He saw that the essential.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SIVAGIRI PILGRIMS

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SIVAGIRI PILGRIMS

Austerity: The Pilgrims should follow strictly the directions of Guru that they should reach Sivagiri in yellow robes after following 10 days austerity based on five purities (Purities of body , word, mind, food and deed). All of them should also follow the five ethics [Nonviolence (Ahimsa), Truth, Astheyam(Non-stealing), Celibacy , Abstinence of liquor)]
propounded by the Guru.
Worship - Convenience for offering to diety: The devotees can have darshan at the Maha Samadhi and Sree Sarada Mutt from 5 a.m to 12 in the night. There will be Deeparadhana (waving of lamps before the diety) and group prayer at the Mahasamadhi and Sree Sarada Mutt on all days from 6.00 am to 7.00 p.m. Separate counters are arranged for offerings such as Gurupooja, Gurupushpanjali, Sarada pushpanjali etc. More...

Theerthadanam

SIVAGIRI PILGRIMAGE (Theerthadanam)

At the beginning of 1928 while the Sree Narayana Guru was camping at Nagampadam temple at Kottayam, a couple of his ardent disciples - Vallabhasseri Govindan Vaidyan and Kittan writer - hesitantly mooted the idea of “Pilgrimage to Sivagiri”. Swamiji enquired them about the object of the pilgrimage but they couldn’t reply. Hence the Guru himself explained that the aim of Theerthadana (pilgrimage) must be for the creation of a comprehensive knowledge among the people for their overall development and prosperity and suggested certain norms to be observed. The pilgrims should reach Sivagiri in yellow garb as the symbol of devotees, after following a brief ten day austerity based on Sree Budha’s five purities of Body, Word, Mind, Food and Deed. Guru underlined the need for education, cultural and moral purity for the yearly meet. January 1, the new year day was suggested for the Pilgrimage and it should be so planned to focus attention on eight subjects - Education, Cleanliness, Piety, Organised Endeavour, Agriculture, Trade, Handicrafts and Technical Training  Read More......

Guru's Words

A...Ahimsa (non-killing or no himsa) is the greatest of all virtues. One who observes the Dharma of Ahimsa is the true manifestation of goodness. One who possesses all virtues except "ahimsa" is none other than a brute.

B...Buddhists Christians Mohammedans, Sikhs, Jains, Hindus and the followers of all other Religions and sects strive to achieve a common objective Eternal Bliss As their aim is identical with all the religions are homogeneous...... More....