Gurudevan - Teachings and Followers

One caste, one religion, one GOD for mankind

The above quoted is the most famous of all teachings by Sri. Narayana Guru, whose role in eradicating apartheid in Kerala is very big. He preached the oneness of GOD and man. He asked us to worship that great power which resides in all of us, despite the difference in which religion we follow. Guru knew the problems in this world are basically rooted in the basic of human beliefs, ie, Religion.

Narayana Guru is considered the first non-brahmin to install an idol for worship. In those times the people of lower castes were not allowed to enter temples and his temple at Aruvippuram was the first one to be opened for the public. There were gargantuan protests from the upper castes but Guru and his disciples were not ready to give up on his vision of an equal society.

There were many acclaimed followers who were with Narayana Guru in bringing social justice to the lower caste people. Many schools, hospitals, legal guidance centers for poor and such services were started and maintained by the "Sree Narayana Dharmaparipalana Yogam"[SNDP], an organization started by Sri Narayana Guru and his followers.

He was a strong advocate of the 'advaita' concept and 'Ahimsa'. His 'Advaita ashramam' in Alwaye, Kerala is dedicated to the concept 'All Human beings are equal in the eyes of GOD' [Om Sahodaryam Sarvatra]. Guru encouraged common-man to see others as themselves.

Guru asked his followers to follow what he taught. The Sivagiri Pilgrimage was designed by him with the goals of self purification based on Sri Buddha's principles.

You can find the details about Sri. Narayana Guru from the following links :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narayana_Guru

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurudevan

Well, why did I say so much about Sree Narayana Guru? Yesterday [25-08-2010] the whole Kerala of celebrated his 156th birthday. But, according to what I see and what is conceived in this article, nobody has taken anything from the valuable teachings of Gurudevan. 

The most prominent teaching of Gurudevan is what I have given in the very beginning of this post. But who all are practicing that teaching? None. Nobody has understood anything from his teachings. Gurudevan is now considered to be the icon of one caste in Kerala, where he wanted to build a society with no caste. Even when he was alive one particular society had proclaimed him to be their religious leader and people from other castes agreed to this. May be this was made happen by those who never fully understood Gurudevan's teachings.

Gurudevan, like Jesus and many other religious and non-religious reformers, preached producing, selling and consuming alcohol is immoral. Being 'Gurudeva Jayanthi', yesterday the government of Kerala had given a holiday for the KSBC [Kerala State Beverages Corporation] outlets, and that is a great way of showing respect to that great personality. But, sadly, thats it. Even if the liquor outlets were shut there are many ways to buy alcohol and many a number of people were drinking to celebrate Gurudevan's birthday celebrations!

Another great teaching of Gurudevan is to worship the power of GOD in ourselves. He asked us not to depend on external features to find GOD, who is in ourselves. He installed mirrors in many temples to symbolize this teaching. But what do we see now? We see Gurudevan's statues being installed in mini-temples across the state and worshiped as if he had made no comments on making him a deity. He had specifically asked his followers not to make him a GOD after his demise. 

Members of S.N.D.P Yogam, the organization controlling the trust and managing the ashram and temples, have taken a decision. Not to install anymore plaster-of-paris or other statues of Gurudevan. Well, if you think they have finally understood what Gurudevan said, they have decided to install 'Panchaloha' idols of Gurudevan. Impressed? Thought so.