Why in the news?
The Prime Minister recently addressed a commemorative event marking 100 years of the historic conversation between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi.
About Sree Narayana Guru:
- Early Life: Sree Narayana Guru was born on 22 August 1856 in Chempazhanthy, Kerala, into the Ezhava community, considered the so-called ‘avarna’ or outside the caste system.
- Social Reform: He led a peaceful revolution against caste discrimination and promoted social equality and spiritual upliftment in Kerala.
- Famous Slogan: Guru gave the powerful message — “One Caste, One Religion, One God for All”, calling for unity beyond caste or creed.
- Spiritual Philosophy: A follower of Advaita Vedanta, he reinterpreted it to assert that divinity exists in every individual, regardless of caste.
- Death and Legacy: He passed away on 20 September 1928, and his birth and death anniversaries are now observed as public holidays in Kerala and other states.
His Contributions:
- Temple Reform: In 1888, he consecrated a Shiva idol at Aruvippuram, challenging Brahminical control over temples.
- Organisational Impact: He founded the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in 1903, with Kumaran Asan as its first general secretary.
- Social Movements: He supported the Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–25) against untouchability in public spaces.
- Spiritual Centres: Guru established the Sivagiri Mutt (1904), which became the heart of the Sivagiri Pilgrimage (Theerthadanam).
- Writings: His works, like Advaitha Deepika, Atmavilasam, Daiva Dasakam, and Brahmavidya Panchakam, reflect a spiritual and reformist vision.
- Holistic Upliftment: He promoted education, cleanliness, agriculture, and handicrafts for self-reliance.
- Against Conversions: Guru opposed religious conversion as a caste solution, favouring internal reform within Hindu society.
His Conversations with Gandhiji (1925):
- Historic Meeting: Mahatma Gandhi met Guru on 13 March 1925 at Sivagiri Mutt during the Vaikom Satyagraha.
- On Scriptures: Guru clarified that Hindu texts do not support untouchability and backed the Vaikom movement fully.
- On Salvation: He believed that all religions lead to moksha but stressed that material freedom is key to dignity.
- Inclusive Ashrams: He shared that his ashrams welcomed all castes, with children studying and praying together.
- View on Caste: While Gandhi defended varna in principle, Guru critiqued caste as rigid, anti-freedom, and regressive.
- Mutual Respect: Gandhi was deeply moved and later praised Guru as a “holy soul”, calling Sivagiri a model of harmony.
- Enduring Legacy: The meeting symbolised a blend of spiritual wisdom and social reform, with lasting national impact.
| [UPSC 2019] Consider the following pairs:
Movement/Organization Leader 1. All India Anti-Untouchability League Mahatma Gandhi 2. All India Kisan Sabha Swami Sahajanand Saraswati 3. Self-Respect Movement E. V. Ramaswami Naicker Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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