Śrī Nārāyaṇa Guru
1856–1928 · Chempazhanthy, Kerala · Advaita and social reform
Nārāyaṇa Guru was born near Thiruvananthapuram into the Eḻava community, then barred from many temples. A scholar of Sanskrit and Malayalam and a yogī of Advaita, he became one of the great reformers of modern India.
In 1888 at Aruvippuram he consecrated a Śiva-liṅga himself; when challenged, he is said to have replied that he had installed “an Eḻava Śiva”. He founded temples and schools open to all, and his message, “One caste, one religion, one God for humanity”, transformed Kerala society. His works include the prayer Daiva Daśakam and the Ātmopadeśa Śatakam.
1856–1928 · Aruvippuram, 1888 · “One caste, one religion, one God” · Daiva Daśakam