President Murmu hails Sree Narayana Guru as one of India’s greatest spiritual reformers

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said Sree Narayana Guru was one of India’s greatest spiritual leaders and social reformers, whose philosophy and actions reshaped the social and spiritual landscape of the country.

Inaugurating the Mahasamadhi centenary celebrations of Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri Madhom in Varkala, the President said that the revered saint and philosopher inspired generations with the ideals of equality, unity and love for humanity.

“Sree Narayana Guru was one of the leading figures of the pan-Indian revival witnessed in the 19th century. He devoted his life to liberating people from the darkness of ignorance and superstition,” the President said.

Emphasizing the social reformer’s belief in the unity of all existence, he stated that he sees God as the divine presence within every living being and propagates the message of “One Caste, One Religion, One God for Humanity”.

He added that the Guru’s teachings transcended the boundaries of religion, caste and sect, and emphasized that true salvation comes from knowledge and compassion rather than blind faith. “Sree Narayana Guru always emphasized self-purification, simplicity and universal love,” he said.

President Droupadi Murmu at the inauguration of Sree Narayana Guru’s Mahasamadhi centenary at Varkala, Sivagiri Madhom in Thiruvananthapuram. | Photo Credit: Rashtrapati Bhavan via PTI Photo

The President noted that temples, schools and social institutions established by Sree Narayana Guru have become centers of literacy, self-reliance and moral awakening among the oppressed sections of society. He said his verses in Malayalam, Sanskrit and Tamil blend deep philosophical insight with simplicity. His works reflect his deep understanding of human life and spirituality.

A timeless solution

Emphasizing the relevance of his teachings in today’s world, he said that Sree Narayana Guru’s message of unity, equality and mutual respect offers a lasting solution to the conflicts faced by humanity. “His message of unity reminds us that all humans share the same divine essence,” he added.

Among those who attended the event were Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, General Education Minister V. Sivankutty, Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan, Adoor Prakash, MP V. Joy, MLA, Sivagiri Madhom president Swami Sathchidananda and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Earlier, the President was warmly welcomed by school children who arranged flowers on the roadside on his way to Madhom. He briefly exited his vehicle to greet them in person.