[GHHF] Students learned about Narayana Guru, the Yogi, a social reformer Who Fought Against Untouchability, a Cause of Hindu Disunity.
Any nation that forgets its past glory and does not learn lessons from its past experiences will perish in the course of time. The main enemies of the Hindu Dharma are not foreigners, but impurities like disunity and untouchability that have crept into it over time. Sri Narayana Guru was a great sage and social reformer who was born to eradicate such impurities. His entire life testified that all people are equal, beyond caste boundaries.
Childhood and Grief over Untouchability:
Narayana Guru was born on August 20, 1856, in the village of Chempazhanthy in Kerala, to Madan Asan and Kutti Amma. His childhood name was Nanu. His father, Madan Asan, was a farmer but also a great scholar who knew Sanskrit, astrology, and Ayurveda. From a young age, Nanu showed deep devotion to God. He was deeply pained by the discrimination and untouchability that existed in society in the name of caste. Even as a child, he would spend hours meditating in solitude.
Asceticism and Struggle:
Narayana Guru renounced worldly bonds and became an ascetic in search of truth. At the age of 30, he performed severe penance and attained enlightenment. He was very saddened to see that some Hindus were not allowed into temples in the name of untouchability. To protest this, in 1888, he himself took an idol of Shiva from a river and consecrated it for everyone. When asked by those who said, "Only Brahmins should consecrate an idol in a temple," he replied, "I did not consecrate the Brahmins' Shiva, I consecrated my Shiva."
We at Global Hindu Heritage Foundation have also built many such temples. When some Hindus said, "We are not allowed into their temples, so we will convert," we strongly questioned them. "God is not the property of any one group. If they don't let you into their temple, build your own temple." We stood by them. Moreover, we argued strongly that only cowards, the helpless, and those who succumb to greed convert, while those with self-respect do not. Through the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation, we are also providing archaka (priestly) training to our SC and ST Hindu brothers who have devotion and love for Dharma and God.
Narayana Guru - A True Social Reformer:
In today's society, some fake social reformers are trying to destroy Dharma by using the inequalities that arose from ignorance in the Hindu Dharma as an excuse. But Narayana Guru was not like them. He sought only to remove impurities in Hindu Dharma and proclaimed the greatness of Hinduism. That is why he propagated the Advaita philosophy taught by Adi Shankara.
In 1904, Narayana Guru stopped traveling around the country and settled in a place called Sivagiri. There, he started a Sanskrit school for poor and orphaned children and taught everyone regardless of their caste. The main message of the Advaita Ashram he founded in 1913 was "Om Sahodaryam Sarvatra" (Everyone is equal in the eyes of God). Narayana Guru taught the philosophy, "One Caste, One Religion, One God." He propagated Advaita philosophy: even though God manifests in different forms, He is one. The Global Hindu Heritage Foundation also carries forward the ideals of such great men with the slogan, "Caste is within the threshold; beyond the threshold, we are all Hindus."
Main Message:
We must remove the impurities of caste discrimination and untouchability that have entered the Hindu Dharma. No one is different; everyone is equal. Our Dharma and our culture belong to all of us. We must all remain united and protect our Dharma.
Teacher Tasks:
Discussion after the story:
● Why is untouchability dangerous to Hindu Dharma?
Answer: Untouchability reduces unity among Hindus. It goes against the teaching of Hindu Dharma that everyone is a child of God.
● What do you understand about the principle of "One caste, one religion, one God"?
Answer: In Hindu Dharma, everyone is equal in the eyes of God. It conveys the message that we should live unitedly by respecting each other without caste discrimination.
● What would you do if someone distances you in the name of caste?
Answer: I will respond calmly and make them understand that everyone is equal. I will seek the help of elders and try to resolve the issue with love and respect.
Expression of Feelings:
● Create a slogan that says "Everyone is equal."
● Talk about one good thing you can do to increase unity among us.
Practical Activities:
Play a game with all your friends, without leaving anyone out.
Whenever possible, have community meals with your friends, regardless of caste.
Draw a picture that shows "Everyone is equal."
Your donations are appreciated.
By Zelle: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com
PayPal: savetemples.org
By Check: GHHF, 14726 Harmony Lane, Frisco, TX 75035.
Call 601-918-7111; +91 83096 43979
{{album_1658}}














Urgent support needed for Bangladesh Hindus