The Advaita Philosophy of Sreenarayana Guru in Advaita Deepika: An Analysis of Historical Monuments in Karunagapally Taluk

Abstract

India is globally recognised as the birthplace of four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. However, these religions are just a part of India's rich philosophical landscape, which includes Vaishesika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva Mimamsa, and Vedanta. Vedanta focuses on the philosophy derived from the Vedas, with Advaita, articulated by Adi Shankara, playing a pivotal role in the revival of Bhakti. He established four Mutts at each corner of Bharat for Vedic learning. Sree Narayana Guru, Kerala’s prominent spiritual follower of Shankara, sought to balance materialism and spirituality of Advaita Philosophy. Advaita Vedanta promotes the non-duality of the Universal Soul and the Individual Soul. Narayana Guru aimed to demonstrate how Advaita could address real-life challenges and blended it with Vedic teachings on love and service. His writings encouraged the acceptance of eternal truths and kindled a trust for knowledge among lower castes. For this end he erected many institutions like schools and religious mutts like his guru Sankaracharya.  This article aims to examine Narayana Guru's Advaita Deepika to illustrate how Advaita philosophy shaped his thoughts and actions, thereby examining the intention of Guru to start Shanmugha Vilasam Higher Secondary School in Karunagapally and other similar organisations which aimed for hindu revivalism.