Guru's perspective differs from Sree Shankara's in certain matters. In the scientific approach to Advaita, Shankara emphasizes the distinction between ‘Jivatman’ (Individual Soul) and ‘Paramatman’ (Supreme Soul). However, this concept of duality is not expressed in any of Guru's works.
In "Daiva Dasakam," Guru points out that knowledge is ‘Maya’ (illusion) and also a sport of Maya. Narayana Guru's actions were profoundly guided by Advaita principles, which he viewed as the cornerstone for eradicating caste and eliminating the detrimental effects of dualistic manifestations. This philosophy is further highlighted by his statement to his disciple, Nataraja Guru: "In principle, Shankara's religion is also ours”.
For Nataraja Guru, Narayana Guru was the most authoritative sage and scholar. Nataraja Guru was a sage who fully imbibed Guru's Darshanam. He found that Guru’s vision was fully experiential and also scientifically logical. He compared Guru's Darshanam with philosophies from other regions, highlighting its comprehensiveness, scientific nature, and clarity. He synthesized and re-evaluated Guru's Darshanam to make it understandable to the modern world. He took it upon himself to realise his mentor’s vision of a unified world through his life, his works, and his institutions.
Nataraja Guru wrote many works that shed light on Guru's Darshanam. In addition, he translated most of Guru's works into English. In the work ‘Guru Arul’, after philosophically articulating the concept of Guru, Nataraja Guru provides a biographical account of the Guru’s life. This work was composed to help those attracted to Narayana Guru and his path to understand Guru's life and philosophy. Through this study, he proves that Yogic intellect, rather than rational thought, leads to true realization.
In his commentary on Guru's ‘Atmopadesa Shatakam’, Nataraja Guru states that Guru composed this work to create a conceptual framework for the fundamental principles of the different schools of Vedanta, namely Sree Shankara's Advaita (Non-Dualism), Ramanuja's Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-Dualism), and Madhvacharya's Dvaita (Dualism). Through this, Guru has demonstrated how these extremely contradictory paths can be harmonized and utilized practically. Similarly, Nataraja Guru presents Guru’s ‘Darshanamala’, as a work composed in a traditional style for the synthesis of all Darshanams. He considers this work as a garland of philosophies strung on the thread of knowledge. This is a work where Guru views truth through ten different philosophies. Narayana Guru showed how karma can be ennobled and transformed into a path to gain knowledge. The synthesis of knowledge and action is seen in his life as well as in his philosophies.
Many who tried to study Guru's thoughts and philosophy primarily gave importance to Advaita Darshanam. In particular, they put forward their opinions by focusing more on philosophical works rather than devotional hymns. They focused on arguments and debates that were not rooted in life and did not touch human beings. Guru believed that the root of humanity lies in human beings and that self-happiness is important. He understood that humanity is paramount. That is why Guru's thoughts and philosophical views are gaining more popularity even in modern times.
