Moving beyond devotional hymns, Narayana Guru composed Instructive works, also known as prescriptive works (‘Anushasana Kritikal’), which served as societal wake-up calls. These compositions aimed to express his principles and emphasized morality.
'Muni Charya Panchakam', also known as ‘Mananamala’, was composed by Guru during his years at Aruvippuram. This profound work discusses eclectic non-dualistic matters and outlines the practices for a sage who has achieved liberation from material existence.
Guru felt that it was necessary to form a monastic order focused on spiritual goals. This led to the formation of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangha. ‘Ashramam’ is a work of five Sanskrit verses composed to explain the monastic rules for the members of this order.
‘Dattahaaram’ is a instructive work composed by the Guru in 1920. The word 'Dattahaaram' means to take back what was given. This poem is a reminder that it is a great sin to steal what is given to someone.
The work ‘Ahimsa’ is a stepping stone to the work ‘Jeeva Karunya Panchakam’. It contains five verses that establish the importance of adhering to nonviolence.
One who consumes harmless animals will not find any comfort either in life or after death. If one refrains from harming or killing animals and instead loves them, supreme happiness will be attained. This is the essence of the idea conveyed through this work.
The work ‘Anukampa Dasakam’ is the realization of the Guru's principle of religious harmony. Although there is ambiguity about the period of its inception, it is believed to have been composed at Aluva Advaitha Ashram while the idea for an All-Religion Conference was taking shape. It is a work that stemmed from Guru’s concern for a society drifting away from compassion.
‘Anukampa Dasakam’ is the best among Guru’s prescriptive works. In the midst of agitations like the Vaikom Satyagraha, Guru aimed to instill the value of compassion in his fellow human beings. Guru realized that religious thought made life miserable. People were struggling based on caste, colour, and class. Through ‘Anukamba Dasakam’, he wanted to convey a message of unity.
What makes ‘Anukamba Dasakam’ different from other didactic works is the ‘Phalashruti’ included in it. ‘Phalashruti’ consists of a collection of ten verses. The truth that the essence of all Vedas is one is contained in these verses.
