The following article is about Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Sree Narayana Guru (1855 – 1928) of Kerala, a Jnani who shone simultaneously as a Spiritual Master, a Mystic poet, a social reformer, etc.
Mahatma Gandhi had visited Kerala on five occasions. His first visit was on 18th August 1920 when he arrived at Calicut (Kozhikode) to garner support for the Non Co-operation movement. The next one was in 1925 (March 8 – 19) to support the Vaikom Satyagraha. The third visit was in 1927 (October 9 – 15), when he spent sometime in Kerala before proceeding to Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The fourth visit was in 1934 (January 10 – 22), during which he visited the Matrubhumi news press. The fifth and final visit was in 1937 (January 12 -21), the chief purpose of which was the celebration of the Temple Entry Proclamation announced by the King of Travancore on 12th November 1936.
Mahatma Gandhi met Sree Narayana Guru at his ashram (Sivagiri Mutt) during his second visit to Kerala (1925). Let us have a brief look at the details of that meeting.
The main purpose of Gandhiji’s visit was to support the Vaikom Satyagraha and address its participants. The Satyagraha was being conducted against the Government’s ruling which prevented the so-called backward classes from using the public roads around the Vaikom temple. Gandhiji spent two days at the Satyagraha Ashram (9th and 10th March 1925). On learning about the circumstances which led to the Satyagraha, Gandhiji had a meeting with the orthodox Hindu leader Indanthuruthu Namboodiri at his residence. Mahadeva Desai, C. Rajagopalachari, Mannathu Padmanabhan, etc. also accompanied Gandhiji. Gandhiji criticized the views of the orthodox leader and pointed out that it was unjust to deprive a section of the society of their basic rights based on the castes they were born into. However, the leader was adamant that the backward classes should not allowed freedom.
Later that day, Gandhiji gave a speech at the general meeting and opined, “We should resist these rogues (the oppressors)”. He participated in the group prayers in the evening.After that he departed for Thiruvananthapuaram, where he met the Regent Empress Sethulakshmibai on 11th March 1925.
The news of Mahatma Gandhi’s much anticipated visit to Sivagiri Mutt on 12th March 1925 had spread far and wide. People had gathered in large numbers to witness the meeting of these two great Mahatmas. A building donated to Sree Narayana Guru by his devotee M.K.Govindadas was chosen as the meeting place of Gurudevan and Gandhiji. This building was named as ‘Gandhi Ashram’. White sand was laid on the path leading to the Gandhi Ashram. A mattress was laid inside the building and special seats were arranged decorated with Khadar cloth for the guests. Gandhiji was to reach there at 3 p.m. Gurudevan had arrived there in advance to receive Gandhiji. Soon Gandhiji arrived there in a car. He was accompanied by C.Rajagopalachari, E.V.Ramaswami Naiker, Ramdas Gandhi, Mahadeva Desai, etc. After the traditional salutations and greetings between them, one of the disciples of Gurudevan did the ‘Athithipooja’ and prostrated before them. Gandhiji and Gurudevan then got into a discussion.
Gandhiji enquired whether Gurudevan spoke English and was told that he didn’t. Gurudevan asked Gandhiji whether he knew Sanskrit and the later admitted that he didn’t. Mr.N.Kumaran, an advocate acted as the interpreter. The conversation was as follows –
Gandhi : Is Swamiji aware of any mention of untouchability in the Hindu scriptures?
Guru : No
Gandhi : Does Swamiji have any kind of difference in opinion regarding the Satyagraha movement going on at Vaikom for the removal of untouchability?
Guru : No
Gandhi : Does Swamiji feel anything more needs to be added or changed in the movement?
Guru : I have learnt that it is going on well. I don’t think any changes are necessary.
Gandhi : I would like to learn about your opinion on what more steps are to be taken to relieve the troubles of the backward classes other than the removal of untouchability.
Guru : They should have education and wealth. I don’t say intercaste dining and intercaste marriages are required urgently. They too should have oppurtunities to improve like others.
Gandhi : Some say that non-violent Satyagraha is useless and that there must be use of force for the establishment of our rights. What is your opinion?
Guru : I don’t think use of force is good.
Gandhi : Do Hindu scriptures advocate use of force?
Guru : Puranas depict that it is necessary for kings and they have used it. However, it is not justifiable in the case of the common people.
Gandhi : Some say that we must resort to religious conversion and that it is the right way to attain freedom. Does Swamiji give permission for that?
Guru : It is being seen that those who are converting are gaining freedom. Looking at these, the people can’t be blamed for thinking that religious conversion is good.
Gandhi : Does Swamiji think that Hindu religion is enough for spiritual liberation?
Guru : There are ways of liberation in other religions too.
Gandhi : Let the case of the other religions be so. Does Swamiji have the opinion that Hindu religion is enough for spiritual liberation?
Guru : Hindu religion is enough for spiritual liberation. But people desire material freedom (liberation) more.
Gandhi : Isn’t it about the slavery due to untouchability? Let that be. Does Swamiji have the opinion that religious conversion is necessary for spiritual liberation?
Guru : No. Religious conversion is not necessary for spiritual liberation.
Gandhi : Aren’t we trying for material freedom? Will it be in vain?
Guru : It won’t be in vain. When we think of its deep-rootedness, we have to say that Gandhi may have to reincarnate for its complete success.
Gandhi : (Laughing) I believe it will be successful in my lifetime itself. Isn’t there untouchability among the backward classes too? Are everyone permitted entry into Swamiji’s temples?
Guru : All are permitted. Children belonging to Pulaya and Pariah communities are residing and studying with others at Sivagiri. They participate in the prayers with others.
Gandhi : Very gladdening.
Although Gandhiji was against untouchability, he believed in the Varnashrama system. Citing the example of the difference in the sizes of the leaves of the same tree, Gandhiji stated that different varnas (classes of people) did exist naturally. Gurudevan replied with the same example that though the sizes of the leaves maybe different, they all taste the same. Just like the same sap runs through leaves of different shapes, the people said to be belonging to different castes are the manifestations of the same reality. This simple illustration changed Gandhiji’s mind-set about the varna system.
Gandhiji rested at Sivagiri that day. His stay was arranged at Vaidika Madhom. He participated in the evening prayers at the Sharadha Madhom. After that, he also attented the prayers at the Vaidika Mutt where he saw Pariah students singing the universal prayer – ‘Daivadashakam’. He learnt the meaning of the prayer and was very happy to know that it was composed by Gurudevan. After the prayers, Gandhiji talked to the Pariah students. He was awed by their fluent recitation of the Upanishad verses. Next morning (13th March 1925), Gurudevan visited Gandhiji at the Vaidika Mutt after which, Gandhiji visited the Sharadha Madhom again. He praised the beauty and cleanliness of Sivagiri Mutt. A large crowd had gathered that day too. Gandhiji addressed the people seated on a platform alongwith Gurudevan. He advised the people to learn spinning and weaving. He also spoke about the Satyagraha. At the end of the speech, Gurudevan asked the people to follow whatever Gandhiji advised.
The following are extracts from that historical speech –
I am deeply grateful to you for the address that you have kindly presented to me. Needless to say, I was looking forward to this visit. I wanted to know who were the different communities that were barred entrance to roads that are public or semi-public in Vykom and it has, therefore, been a matter of study, to come here and make your acquaintance personally. I have now a demonstration of what is in store for His Holiness, if he went to Vykom and tried to cross the barrier.
As you are aware, I was to have waited upon Her Highness the Maharani Regent, and similarly, I was to have waited upon His Holiness (Swami Narayana Guru), both of which I did yesterday, and feel highly flattered that I was able to wait upon these high personages. I am able to tell you that Her Highness’s sympathies, so far as she herself is personally concerned, are entirely with those who are trying to seek redress. I am free to tell you that she considers that the roads at Vykom and similar roads elsewhere should be open to all classes, (Cheers.) but as the head of the State, she feels powerless, unless there is public opinion behind her, and unless, therefore, public opinion in Travancore is organized in a perfectly legitimate, peaceful and constitutional manner, and unless that opinion is expressed in an equally constitutional, legitimate and peaceful manner, though ever so emphatic, she will feel powerless to grant the relief desired. I, for my part, entirely accept that position. It is for you and me to break down the opposition of blind orthodoxy. You will not feel the glow of freedom and liberty, unless you yourselves take a leading part in breaking down that opposition………………………………………………………………..
Do not be frightened that it is a long-drawn-out battle. His Holiness told me yesterday that we might not see the end of this agony (caste-discrimination) during our life time, in this generation, and that I should have to wait for another incarnation of mine before I had the pleasure of seeing the end of this agony. I respectfully differed from him. I hope to see the end in this very age during my lifetime, but I do not hope to do so without your assistance. Assist me to the full measure of your ability to show to you that this wrong becomes a thing of the past. Do your duty manfully and I undertake to show to you that this fifth class from Hinduism entirely eradicated. (Cheers.) May God grant the necessary strength and determination to His Holiness to infect you with a proper
understanding and may God grant you the wisdom and the strength to carry out this sacred task.
I tender my thanks publicly to His Holiness for the extreme kindness that he has shown to me and the hospitality that he has extended to me. I thank you once more for the address that you have presented to me and for the patience with which you have listened to me, but the best reward that I ask you to give me, I expect, is the translation of what you have listened to in action.
(Loud and continued cheers from the audience)
After sometime, Gandhiji prepared to take leave of the Ashram. Gurudevan accompanied Gandhiji to his car. After greeting each other once more, Gandhiji departed. Later at Thiruvananthapuram (then Trivandrum) Gandhiji expressed his happiness on having visited the ashram – “I feel it as the greatest privilege in my life to have visited the beautiful state of Travancore and to have a darshan of Venerable sage Sree Narayana Guru. I had the fortune to stay one day in his holy Asramam. Her Excellency the Regent Empress also spoke to me about the greatness of Guruswamy. I fervently hope that you would enforce his lofty ideals.”
Credits and References:
Photos : 1. Gandhiji with Sree Narayana Guru, from spiderkerala.net
2. Gandhiji alighting from a train from Aditya Arya archive, BBC News, In pictures : A peek into history
3. Vaikom Boat Jetty by Sivavkm, taken from Wikimedia Commons
4. Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, from Wikipedia
5. Mahatma Gandhi sitting, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
6. Gandhiji and Sree Narayana Guru, from gururnarayana.blogspot
References :
The dates of Gandhi’s visits to Kerala were taken from the article by Malayankiz Gopalakrishnan posted on 18 Jan 2010 in mathrubhumi.com
Biographies of Sree Narayana Guru written by his direct disciples
Courtesy - Krishna Chaitanya
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