Question

1. Who among the following leader/leaders drew inspiration from Sree Narayana Guru?
   i) Dr. Palpu
   ii) Kumaran Asan
   iii) Nataraja Guru
   iv) Nitya Chaitanyayati
   Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

• A. Only (i & ii)
• B. Only (ii & iii)
• C. Only (i, ii & iii)
• D. All of the above (i, ii, iii & iv)

Answer 1

Answer:

D. All of the above (i, ii, iii & iv)

Sree Narayana Guru's Influence:

• Sree Narayana Guru (1856-1928) was a prominent social reformer, philosopher, and spiritual leader from Kerala, India.
• He championed the cause of social equality, universal education, and spiritual enlightenment, advocating for 'One Caste, One Religion, One God for Man'.
• His teachings and reforms significantly impacted the socio-religious landscape of Kerala, inspiring numerous individuals and movements against caste discrimination and social injustice.

Leaders Inspired by Sree Narayana Guru:

1. Dr. Palpu (1863-1950):
   • Dr. Palpu was a prominent physician and social reformer, and one of the earliest and most ardent followers of Sree Narayana Guru.
   • He was instrumental in organizing the Ezhavas and other backward communities to fight for their rights.
   • He initiated the Malayali Memorial (1891) and the Ezhava Memorial (1896) to protest against the denial of government jobs to qualified individuals from backward communities.
   • Dr. Palpu played a crucial role in the formation of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP Yogam) in 1903 and served as its Vice-President. He was the first secretary of SNDP Yogam.
   • His vision and efforts paved the way for the Guru's reformist activities.
2. Kumaran Asan (1873-1924):
   • Kumaran Asan, a renowned poet and philosopher, was a direct disciple and close associate of Sree Narayana Guru.
   • He was given the title 'Kumaran Asan' by Sree Narayana Guru himself.
   • Asan served as the Secretary of the SNDP Yogam from 1903 until his death in 1924, dedicating his life to spreading the Guru's ideals.
   • His literary works, such as Veena Poovu, Nalini, Leela, Chandalabhikshuki, and Duravastha, carried strong social reform messages, often reflecting the Guru's philosophies.
   • He was a key figure in the cultural and literary awakening inspired by the Guru's movement.
3. Nataraja Guru (1895-1973):
   • Nataraja Guru was the grand-disciple of Sree Narayana Guru and a profound scholar.
   • He was the son of Dr. Palpu.
   • He established the Narayana Gurukulam in Fernhill, Ooty, which became a center for the study and dissemination of Sree Narayana Guru's philosophy globally.
   • Nataraja Guru translated many of Sree Narayana Guru's works into English, making them accessible to a wider international audience.
   • He authored several books interpreting the Guru's teachings, including The Bhagavad Gita: A Panoramic Perspective and An Integrated Science of the Absolute.
4. Nitya Chaitanya Yati (1924-1999):
   • Nitya Chaitanya Yati was a prominent philosopher, author, and disciple of Nataraja Guru.
   • He continued the intellectual and spiritual lineage of Sree Narayana Guru through the Narayana Gurukulam.
   • Nitya Chaitanya Yati authored over 100 books on various subjects, including philosophy, psychology, and comparative religion, all rooted in the Advaita Vedanta tradition championed by the Guru.
   • He played a significant role in making Sree Narayana Guru's philosophy relevant to contemporary life and a global audience.