Narayana Guru

Sree Narayana Guru was born under the star 'Chathayam' in the month of 'Chingam' in 1856 AD (1032 of the Malayalam calendar) in the village of Chempazhanthi in Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala as the son of Madan Asan, a farmer, and Kutti Amma. Yet Gurudev reportedly told some of his followers that he was actually born in 1030. When his 60th birth anniversary was being celebrated 1916 he laughingly said "my 60th birthday (sashtabhdhapoorty) was quite a while ago.

His parents, ‘Madan Asan’ and ‘Kutty Amma’ endearingly called him ‘Nanu’. At the age of five, he began his education in the neighboring school in the old “Gurukula” model.'Madan Asan' was also a teacher ("Asan") who was learned in Sanskrit and proficient in Astrology and Ayurveda.



Born: August 20, 1856, Chempazhanthy
Died: September 20, 1928, Varkala
Parents: Madan Asan, Kutti Amma


SIVAGIRI

This is the place where Sree Narayana Guru's tomb is located and place where guru was enlightend and got the salvation. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousandsf of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days 30th December to 1st January.

The Sivagiri Mutt, built in 1904, is situated at the top of the Sivagiri hill near Varkala. Even decades after the guru breathed his last here in 1928; Gurudevan's samadhi continues to be thronged by thousands of devotees, donned in yellow attire, from different parts of Kerala and outside.

The Sivagiri Mutt is also the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, an organization of his disciples and saints, established by GURU.

This place, in due course, developed into the site of the Sarada Temple, and guru established an architecture was simple and different. For the first time in India, a temple with windows and ventilation was devised.The opening of this temple was uniquely marked by the inspirational ceremony of guest of hymns in praise of the mother Sarada. The Guru himself wrote “janani-navaratna Manjari” …… nine Gems in praise of the mother.”

Public acceptance, honours and veneration

The International Center for Sree Narayana Guru Studies was established in 2005. Numerous other institutions, particularly those operated by the SNDP, are named after him.In 2009, the Government of Kerala recommended to the Union Government that ′Daiva Dasakam,′ a prayer song written by Sree Narayana Guru, be adopted as the national prayer song.

Notable disciples

• Bodhananda Swamikal
• Nataraja Guru

Depictions

The 1985 Malayalam film on the life of Sree Narayana Guru, Sree Narayana Guru by P.A. Backer, won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration of 1985. In 2010, another film on the life of the Guru, titled Yugapurushan, was directed by R. Sukumaran. The 2014 Tulu movie Brahmashri Narayana Guru Swamy also has a story based on his life.

Works

Swanubavageethi

In Malayalam

• Atmopadesa Śatakam
• Advaitha Deepika
• Arivu
• Daiva Dasakam
• Jeevakarunya Panchakam
• Anukamba Dasakam
• Jathi Nirnayam
• Jathi Lakshanam
• Chijjada Chinthanam
• Daiva vichinthanam – 1 & 2
• Athma Vilasam
• Shiva Shathakam
• Kolatheereshastavam
• Bhadrakaalyashtakam

In Sanskrit

Darsana Mala

• Brahmavidya Panchakam
• Nirvruthi Panchakam
• Slokathrayi
• Vedantha Suthram
• Homa Manthram
• Municharya Panchakam
• Asramam
• Dharmam
• Charama Slokangal
• Homa Mantram
• Chidambarashtakam
• Guhashtakam
• Bhadrakaliashtakam
• Vinayaka Ashtakam
• Sree Vasudeva Ashtakam
• 'Janani Navaratna Manjari "

In Tamil

• Thevarappathinkangal

Translations

• Thirukural
• Isavasyo Upanishad
• Ozhivil Odukkam