Thiruvananthapuram: Guru Muni Narayana Prasad, a revered spiritual teacher, scholar, and author, passed away at the age of 87. He succumbed to a heart ailment in the early hours of Saturday after being hospitalized for nearly a week.
Life and Legacy
Narayana Prasad served as the president of the Varkala Narayana Gurukulam. He was also a visiting professor at various universities in India and abroad. The Gurukulam announced that Muni Narayana Prasad Swami attained samadhi on April 25 at 3:40 am. His body was kept at the Gurukulam for public homage in the evening.
Born on December 9, 1938, Prasad completed engineering and joined the Public Works Department. In 1958, he moved into the Gurukulam and later received formal spiritual initiation from Nitya Chaitanya Yati in the mid-1980s. He became the president of the Gurukulam in 1999. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2024.
Prolific Author
Prasad authored around 130 books in English and Malayalam on subjects including Vedanta, philosophy, and religion. His works have been widely acclaimed for their depth and clarity.
Tributes Pour In
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his condolences, stating that society has lost a teacher who taught people to think. "Muni Narayana Prasad was notable for spreading the messages of Sree Narayana Guru, analyzing Guru's literary works, and delivering heart-touching speeches. He was a scholar who deeply embraced and presented the philosophies of Guru to the world. He had the ability to convey profound philosophical thoughts in simple language," the CM said in his message. "He filled his words and actions with human compassion and a sense of equality, influencing the thoughts of many people," he added.
Governor Rajendra Arlekar said that Muni Narayana Prasad carried forward the timeless message of Guru with great wisdom, clarity, and compassion. "His profound contributions in philosophy, spiritual thought, and in universal values have left an enduring impact on society," Arlekar remarked.
