A renunciate who does not rely on religion can shape a history free from religious prejudice. Sree Narayana Guru's renunciation emerged without any support from religious establishments. In Guru, a new face of renunciation was revealed. He adopted a secular renunciation that did not accept any religious rites, refusing to wear any of the external trappings of a renunciate. In Guru's life, we can see the spectacle of a renunciate presenting a true humanistic vision. Finding himself in a world where the basic human moral fabric was eroding, he fought against this nonviolently, without the backing of any armed force and without the clamour of protests. Through his poems, he showed that God was knowledge and bliss. His path to spiritual enlightenment was focused on humanity.
Coming down from Maruthwamala and Aruvippuram, Guru dedicated his life to the common man. His system of renunciation reflected a synthesis of Vedantic traditions. Vedantic renunciates generally adopt the ‘Dasanami Sampradaya’ (‘Tradition of Ten Names’ or ‘Order of the Swamis’) established by Sree Shankaracharya. Aranya, Ashrama, Bharati, Giri, Parvata, Puri, Sarasvati, Sagara, Tirtha and Vana are the Dasanamis (ten names). One of the Dasanamis is usually appended to the names of renunciates. Along with that, there will be other monastic symbols like saffron robes. However, Guru's white robes were those of a Shaivite ascetic. While his close friend Chattampi Swami and others adopted the Dasanami tradition and became Tirthapada, Guru did not opt for it.He continued to write and sign his name as 'Narayana Guru'. He was not prepared to give sermons like other renunciates.
Guru was a leader of extraordinary vision, tirelessly combating inequalities and superstitions. He realized a profound truth: humanity, then spiraling into degradation, could only be redeemed through spiritual awakening. This groundbreaking social vision was his unique contribution to spirituality and the very revolution he spearheaded in history. Consequently, Guru's life, became an embodiment of the era’s defining history.
