Thiruvananthapuram, April 25 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday condoled the passing of Muni Narayana Prasad (87), head of Narayana Gurukulam and a leading interpreter of Sree Narayana Guru's philosophy, describing him as a teacher who inspired society to think with humanism and a sense of equality.
With his demise that happened on Saturday, a life that harmonised knowledge and humility draws to a close.
Based at the Gurukulam in Sreenivasapuram area of Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district, Prasad made the ashram both his meditative anchor and field of action, presenting the essence of the Upanishads and Guru's teachings in clear, accessible language.
A successor to Nataraja Guru and Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati, Prasad led the Gurukulam's global network while living with the simplicity of a monk.
Honoured with the Padma Shri, he remained deeply engaged in the institution's daily rhythm, underscoring through personal example that spirituality demands constant, disciplined action.
Born in 1938 near Thiruvananthapuram, Prasad began as an engineer before an inner quest led him to renounce his career.
Initiated into brahmacharya in 1970, he later embraced sannyasa, immersing himself in Advaita philosophy.
A prolific scholar, he authored nearly 200 works in Malayalam and English.
His commentaries on major Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita are regarded as authoritative, while his interpretations of Guru's poetry brought complex ideas closer to ordinary readers.
He also served as a visiting professor abroad and spoke at global forums, extending his intellectual reach from Moscow to Fiji.
At the Gurukulam, Prasad combined intellectual rigour with physical labour, beginning his days with routine tasks and insisting on discipline among disciples.
Detached from acclaim, Prasad accepted the Padma Shri with characteristic equanimity.
Prasad's legacy lies in distilling profound philosophical truths into lived humanism beyond caste and creed.
His passing marks an irreparable loss to the Sree Narayana movement and Kerala's cultural life. He would be laid to rest near his teachers at Varkala.
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