Shri V. Joy, MLA,
Brahmasree Visudhananda Swamikal,
Sreemad Satchidananda Swamikal,
Sreemad Rithambarananda Swamikal,
Shri Vellappally Natesan, Chief Patron, Golden Jubilee Celebrations,
Sreemad Sandrananda Swamikal,
Sreemad Saradananda Swamikal,
Sanyasis of the Sivagiri Mutt,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
It gives me immense joy to inaugurate the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Installation of the Idol of Sree Narayana Guru at the Maha Samadhi Mandiram at Sivagiri Hill and the 55th Sree Narayana Dharma Meemaamsa Parishath.
At the outset, let me congratulate the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust on their tireless efforts to take the message of Sree Narayana Guru to the people all over the world. The efforts of such dedicated organizations and individuals have helped a lot to enable the world to know more about Gurudevan, whose unique and unshared position as a universal teacher has very few parallels in history.
I am informed that the idol of Sree Narayana Guru was installed in 1968, almost four decades after Guru's Samadhi. The Maha Samadhi Mandir, which is 73 feet high, signifying the 73 years of Guru's life in the visible world, was designed by an architect from Tamil Nadu and the idol, carved by a famous architect from Kashi. That the Central Minister the Late Babu Jagjivan Ram and former President the Late Zakir Hussain were among the dignitaries who graced the different functions held in connection with the installation also reveal the national importance this idol had received in those days.
True, it is no idol, but the light of wisdom that guided Kerala to a new dawn and went on to brighten the world with the message of peace and unity. Almost a century after the Maha Samadhi, the real meanings and brilliant insights of Gurudevan's teachings are emerging from the depths of his words and verses, day by day, instilling a new hope to mankind.
As we celebrate the golden jubilee of the installation of the Guru’s idol, we are reminded of the installations that the Guru himself had performed. The calm and silent installation of a stone by Gurudevan at Aruvippuram was a powerful call for change. That humble stone he picked up from the depths of the river, became the foundation stone of free thinking that shaped the destiny of Kerala in the years that followed. Gurudevan himself had advocated the installation of a Lamp as the idol in some temples, since he regarded the Light of Knowledge as God. The Mirror was another installation he suggested, since it helped Man to know himself. All these installations had the noblest purposes behind them. Therefore, it would be truly befitting to celebrate this golden Jubilee with programmes that would kindle the light of knowledge and self-realization in Man.
I understand that the programmes proposed for the Golden Jubilee include one thousand prayer meetings, 51 national seminars, Philosophical Seminars, Global level celebrations by Sree Narayana organizations and so on. The Sree Narayana Dharma Meemaamsa Parishath, which is an educational and awareness programme on the Advaitha philosophy of Gurudevan becomes greatly relevant as one that would awaken our people to the nobler truths of life.
The greatness of Gurudevan lies in his effort to place the human being at the centre of the everything. The Guru believed in the power of self-improvement by individuals for the benefit and welfare of society and the world. His speeches were never loud or fiery, but the few words he spoke had the power to awaken people's thinking. His famous proclamation of ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God for Mankind’, for instance, resounds as a guiding principle in people’s minds even now.
Equally famous is his question to Mahakavi Ulloor S. Parameshwara Iyer, who once visited him. At that time, Guru had with him some men and children whom society had regarded as untouchable. Even though the poet was famous for his liberal thinking, Gurudevan realized that he was slightly disturbed by the presence of these people and children during lunch. Guru picked up a Pappadam, which was served with the meal and asked Ulloor and the children: “So, shall we all crumble this pappadam together?” Poet Ulloor smiled and said: “Yes” and the rustle of many Pappadams merged with their laughter. The intelligent poet did not need even seconds to realize that Pappadam was Guru's metaphor for the uneasy feeling of Caste that remained in people's mind.
Guru's intention was to convey that caste was more in the mind and all that was needed to crumble it was a strong will. A century has passed and our minds are still struggling to crumble the casteism that has hardened like concrete in them. But, all is not lost. The everlasting influence of Guru's philosophy and teachings strengthens our faith in universal brotherhood, communal harmony and unity, in spite of divisive actions of those with vested interests. The Guru reminded us that God resides in our intellect and we who think sensibly can be certain that our minds are capable of crumbling any hardened barrier with the ease of crumbling Pappadams. And, Guru said joyfully: "See, the Pappadam has crumbled!", only to stress that if we decide, we can drive away caste from our minds.
It is worthwhile to remember Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru who said in 1958 that in order to get a casteless society, one should follow the approach of Sree Narayana Guru. Pt. Nehru describes Guru’s approach as “the approach through the mind and heart, and NOT of compulsion and coercion”. He also said that, “where there is not this turning of heart and mind, all other things are likely to be superficial”.
Recently, the Government had come forward to celebrate the Centenary of Guru's proclamation of “We have No Caste”. That century old proclamation gave us the dream of a united world without barriers; the Guru also showed us the importance of knowledge, to be attained through education. We should ask ourselves if our education does make us bold enough to rise above caste.
As we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the installation of Guru's idol and as we begin the 55th Sree Narayana Dharma Meemamsa Parishath, let us look within us and strengthen our minds to crumble the walls of division that may have come up knowingly or unknowingly.
I wish the celebrations all success and hope that the Meemaamsa Parishath would empower the participants’ minds with the loftiest ideals of the Guru.
I compliment the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
May the lofty ideals of the Guru ennoble our minds.
Ellaavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
