Our humble pranam at the lotus feet of Sree Narayana Guru, who ignited the lamp of “Universal Brotherhood for Mankind" and whose grace transformed Kerala as “God’s Own Country.”
तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः
Sree Narayana Guru - The True Saint
Guru’s success of reformation (still vibrant like a moving volcano) and his life is a true example of the divinity of such a wonderful stone. One can easily understand this by looking into the history of Kerala which was once said to be a Lunatic Asylum by Swamy Vivekananda in the year 1892, was reformed to Gods Own Country by the time Rabindranath Tagore visited the Guru in the year 1922 ! The great poet saw a wonder, wonderful than any other wonders of the world – unbelievable experience of a Devil becoming God within a short span of 30 years ! The dawn of a NEW ERA OF UNIVERSAL FRIENDSHIP AND BROTHERHOOD !!!
Sree Narayana Guru is our spiritual guide and he inspires us as a "PARASAMANI.”
Parasmani or Chinthamani, also called the philosopher's stone (Latin: lapis philosophorum) is a legendary alchemical substance which has the ability to transmute base metals into gold or silver, and the ability to heal all forms of illness and prolong the life of any person who consumes a small part of the stone.
Such powers are possessed only by great Saints like Budha, Jesus, Nabi, Sree Narayana Guru and very few enlightened souls of their kind. Its power can be known in the story where Jesus feeds 5,000 men plus the women and children, all because of one little boy’s generosity in offering his lunch consisting of 5 small loaves of bread and 2 fish.
Gandhiji at Sivagiri
Grace of Sree Narayana Guru reformed Mahatma Gandhi’s religious outlook and he whole heartedly supported and became a warrior of the renaissance movement in Kerala.
Although Gandhiji was against untouchability, he believed in the Varnashrama system. Citing the example of difference in the sizes of leaves of the same tree, Gandhiji stated that different varnas (classes of people) did exist naturally.
Guru replied with the same example that though the sizes of the leaves maybe different, they all taste the same. Just like the same sap runs through leaves of different shapes, the people said to be belonging to different castes are the manifestations of the same reality. This simple illustration changed Gandhiji’s mind-set about the varna system.
Gandhiji met Guru at his ashram (Sivagiri Mutt) during his second visit to Kerala (1925) He rested at Sivagiri Mutt that day. Below is the extract from the historical speech he made after leaving Guru’s ashram:-
“I feel it as the greatest privilege in my life to have visited the beautiful state of Travancore and to have a darshan of Venerable sage Sree Narayana Guru. I had the fortune to stay one day in his holy Asramam. Her Excellency the Regent Empress also spoke to me about the greatness of Guruswamy. I fervently hope that you would enforce his lofty ideals.”
Rabindranath Tagore visited Guru in his ashram at Sivagiri on 22nd November 1922 and paid homage. He stated that:-
“I have been touring different parts of the world. During these travels, I have had the good fortune to come into contact with several Saints and Maharshis. But I have frankly to admit that I have never come across one who is spiritually greater than Swamy Sree Narayana Guru of Malayalam – nay a person who is on a par with Him in spiritual attainment.
Rabindranath Tagore at Sivagiri
I am sure, I shall never forget that radiant face illumined by the self-effulgent light of divine glory and those yogic eyes fixing their gaze on a far remote point in the distant horizon.”
"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever"
"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder"
Mahakavi Kumaran Ashan
Mahakavi Kumaran Ashan, Poet Laureate, (1873-1924) popularly known as "Snehagayakan” in Malayalam was an ardent devotee of Sree Narayana Guru.
He was the only poet in Malayalam who became "mahakavi” without writing a "mahakavyam.”
The spiritual teachings of Guru mended him and it is well reflected in his poems.
He considered Guru as the God incarnate. Here is his tribute to Guru:-
ആരായുകിലന്ധത്വമൊഴിച്ചാദി മഹസ്സിൽ
നേരാം വഴികാട്ടും ഗുരുവല്ലോ പരദൈവം!
Sri C R Kesavan Vaidyar
Our tribute to the departed but everliving Legends in our hearts, Late Sri C R Kesavan Vaidyar and Late Mrs. Karthiani Kesavan Vaidyar (who were great devotees of Sree Narayana Guru).
For whom, no words can express our gratitude for the love and care they shared with us.
May the merciful God bless them everlasting peace...
