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THE SAGE WHO REIMAGINED HINDUISM: The Life, Lessons, & Legacy of Sree Narayana Guru
Not yet published
Expected 25 Feb 26The Sage Who Reimagined Hinduism is an inspirational account of one of the most important spiritual leaders and social reformers of modern India, Sree Narayana Guru. In terms of his contribution to the betterment of Indian society and Hinduism, he ranks with Swami Vivekananda, B. R. Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi. However, he is not as well-known as he deserves to be, and this book is, among other things, an attempt to remedy that neglect.
Born in 1855 into a modest, middle-class family in Travancore (now Kerala) the Guru belonged to the Ezhava caste, which was considered untouchable at the time. The story of how a boy from a socially disadvantaged caste rose to become a charismatic sage with millions of followers is a remarkable one. Yet, the Guru was not just an inspiring spiritual leader. He was also a social reformer who was determined to reshape the oppressive caste system that held millions in its grip. He fought to make the society he was part of more equal, establishing and consecrating temples that were open to all castes, founding schools and other educational institutions, and doing everything he could to empower the lower castes and break the malign influence of the upper castes.
Today, if Kerala is one of the most progressive states in the country, plural, secular, and egalitarian, much of this can be traced back to the Guru’s transformative efforts. As the author ‘[Sree Narayana Guru] stands unmatched…as the greatest reformer to emerge from southern India since the incomparable Adi Shankara a millennium earlier, and the most successful champion of the rights of oppressed Hindus in the twentieth century.’
Born in 1855 into a modest, middle-class family in Travancore (now Kerala) the Guru belonged to the Ezhava caste, which was considered untouchable at the time. The story of how a boy from a socially disadvantaged caste rose to become a charismatic sage with millions of followers is a remarkable one. Yet, the Guru was not just an inspiring spiritual leader. He was also a social reformer who was determined to reshape the oppressive caste system that held millions in its grip. He fought to make the society he was part of more equal, establishing and consecrating temples that were open to all castes, founding schools and other educational institutions, and doing everything he could to empower the lower castes and break the malign influence of the upper castes.
Today, if Kerala is one of the most progressive states in the country, plural, secular, and egalitarian, much of this can be traced back to the Guru’s transformative efforts. As the author ‘[Sree Narayana Guru] stands unmatched…as the greatest reformer to emerge from southern India since the incomparable Adi Shankara a millennium earlier, and the most successful champion of the rights of oppressed Hindus in the twentieth century.’
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 25, 2026
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About the author
Shashi Tharoor
79 books3,084 followersShashi Tharoor is a member of the Indian Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala. He previously served as the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information and as the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.
He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.
He has served on the Board of Overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and a Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities at New York University. He has also served as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, and the Advisory of the Indo-American Arts Council, the American India Foundation, the World Policy Journal, the Virtue Foundation and the human rights organization Breakthrough He is also a Patron of the Dubai Modern High School and the managing trustee of the Chandran Tharoor Foundation which he founded with his family and friends in the name of his late father, Chandran Tharoor.
Tharoor has written numerous books in English. Most of his literary creations are centred on Indian themes and they are markedly “Indo-nostalgic.” Perhaps his most famous work is The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, in which he uses the narrative and theme of the famous Indian epic Mahabharata to weave a satirical story of Indian life in a non-linear mode with the characters drawn from the Indian Independence Movement. His novel Show Business (1992) was made into the film 'Bollywood'(1994). The late Ismail Merchant had announced his wish to make a film of Tharoor’s novel Riot shortly before Merchant’s death in 2005.
Tharoor has been a highly-regarded columnist in each of India's three best-known English-language newspapers, most recently for The Hindu newspaper (2001–2008) and in a weekly column, “Shashi on Sunday,” in the Times of India (January 2007 – December 2008). Following his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs, he began a fortnightly column on foreign policy issues in the "Deccan Chronicle". Previously he was a columnist for the Gentleman magazine and the Indian Express newspaper, as well as a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. His Op-Eds and book reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, amongst other papers.
Tharoor began writing at the age of 6 and his first published story appeared in the “Bharat Jyoti”, the Sunday edition of the "Free press Journal", in Mumbai at age 10. His World War II adventure novel Operation Bellows, inspired by the Biggles books, was serialized in the Junior Statesman starting a week before his 11th birthday. Each of his books has been a best-seller in India. The Great Indian Novel is currently in its 28th edition in India and his newest volume. The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone has undergone seven hardback re-printings there.
Tharoor has lectured widely on India, and is often quoted for his observations, including, "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.". He has also coined a memorable comparison of India's "thali" to the American "melting pot": "If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali--a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast."
He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.
He has served on the Board of Overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and a Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities at New York University. He has also served as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, and the Advisory of the Indo-American Arts Council, the American India Foundation, the World Policy Journal, the Virtue Foundation and the human rights organization Breakthrough He is also a Patron of the Dubai Modern High School and the managing trustee of the Chandran Tharoor Foundation which he founded with his family and friends in the name of his late father, Chandran Tharoor.
Tharoor has written numerous books in English. Most of his literary creations are centred on Indian themes and they are markedly “Indo-nostalgic.” Perhaps his most famous work is The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, in which he uses the narrative and theme of the famous Indian epic Mahabharata to weave a satirical story of Indian life in a non-linear mode with the characters drawn from the Indian Independence Movement. His novel Show Business (1992) was made into the film 'Bollywood'(1994). The late Ismail Merchant had announced his wish to make a film of Tharoor’s novel Riot shortly before Merchant’s death in 2005.
Tharoor has been a highly-regarded columnist in each of India's three best-known English-language newspapers, most recently for The Hindu newspaper (2001–2008) and in a weekly column, “Shashi on Sunday,” in the Times of India (January 2007 – December 2008). Following his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs, he began a fortnightly column on foreign policy issues in the "Deccan Chronicle". Previously he was a columnist for the Gentleman magazine and the Indian Express newspaper, as well as a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. His Op-Eds and book reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, amongst other papers.
Tharoor began writing at the age of 6 and his first published story appeared in the “Bharat Jyoti”, the Sunday edition of the "Free press Journal", in Mumbai at age 10. His World War II adventure novel Operation Bellows, inspired by the Biggles books, was serialized in the Junior Statesman starting a week before his 11th birthday. Each of his books has been a best-seller in India. The Great Indian Novel is currently in its 28th edition in India and his newest volume. The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone has undergone seven hardback re-printings there.
Tharoor has lectured widely on India, and is often quoted for his observations, including, "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.". He has also coined a memorable comparison of India's "thali" to the American "melting pot": "If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali--a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast."
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 25, 2026
Sree Narayana Guru's legacy, in essence, is nothing less than the profound expansion of human freedom. In the suffocating gloom of late nineteenth and early twentieth century Kerala, where the human spirit lay shackled by millennia-old prejudice, imagine a single, unwavering flame dispelling the darkness. It was not a raging inferno, but a steady, profound luminescence, a light that promised not destruction, but the gentle, persistent melting of adamantine chains.”
- Sree Narayana Guru 📖
- Shashi Tharoor ✍️
🧘🏽
Born in 1855 in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) Sree Narayana Guru was a reformer, healer, religious teacher, yogi, poet and a towering figure in field of social upliftment of masses. The Kerala as well as Bharat of that time was in shackles of poverty, social differences and caste discrimination. The so called “Lower Caste” were not allowed in temples, devoid of basic education and considered untouchables. In that very caste was born a figure who not only broke the chains of caste system but also brought an unprecedented change in society. Sree Narayana Guru worked not only for the social and religious upliftment but also made countless contributions to the welfare of society such as promoting education of Lower caste and women, promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth of the community, financial independence and self reliance, worked for spiritual development, technical training and industrial development. During that period the so called lower caste of Hindu society were moving towards Buddhism, Christianity and Islam for social validation and religious acceptance Guru worked against proselytisation keeping the sanatan dharma intact. According to author Guru’s contribution in religion is on a par with the likes of swami Vivekanand and Ramana Maharshi and his contribution in political field is on a par with the likes of Gandhi and Ambedkar.
🧘🏽
The biggest irony is that such a towering figure is almost unknown to the masses today specially in the north of Bharat. Guru’s contribution in all these reforms are second to none, his efforts garnered praise from Ramana Maharshi, Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore to Nehru and Current PM Narendra Modi. Such is his influence that rightists, leftists, Marxist all of them claim to be associated with him. Whereas he never claimed to be part of one specific religion or caste Sree Guruji spread message of Advaita Vedanta, insisted on economic and spiritual development, talked about interfaith and inter caste harmony, promoted rational thought, intellectual liberation and knowledge acquisition. With a moto of “One Caste, One Religion and One God” Sree Narayana Guruji advocated for the service of humanity, political empowerment and spiritual upliftment of the masses. It’s strange that we are unknown to such a powerful figure of pre-independence era. Dr. Tharoor has written a brilliant book on him, it’s a simple read, a message loud and clear, short and concise. Everyone should read and know about such an illuminating mahapurusha 🙏🏽
Highly recommended.
- Sree Narayana Guru 📖
- Shashi Tharoor ✍️
🧘🏽
Born in 1855 in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) Sree Narayana Guru was a reformer, healer, religious teacher, yogi, poet and a towering figure in field of social upliftment of masses. The Kerala as well as Bharat of that time was in shackles of poverty, social differences and caste discrimination. The so called “Lower Caste” were not allowed in temples, devoid of basic education and considered untouchables. In that very caste was born a figure who not only broke the chains of caste system but also brought an unprecedented change in society. Sree Narayana Guru worked not only for the social and religious upliftment but also made countless contributions to the welfare of society such as promoting education of Lower caste and women, promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth of the community, financial independence and self reliance, worked for spiritual development, technical training and industrial development. During that period the so called lower caste of Hindu society were moving towards Buddhism, Christianity and Islam for social validation and religious acceptance Guru worked against proselytisation keeping the sanatan dharma intact. According to author Guru’s contribution in religion is on a par with the likes of swami Vivekanand and Ramana Maharshi and his contribution in political field is on a par with the likes of Gandhi and Ambedkar.
🧘🏽
The biggest irony is that such a towering figure is almost unknown to the masses today specially in the north of Bharat. Guru’s contribution in all these reforms are second to none, his efforts garnered praise from Ramana Maharshi, Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore to Nehru and Current PM Narendra Modi. Such is his influence that rightists, leftists, Marxist all of them claim to be associated with him. Whereas he never claimed to be part of one specific religion or caste Sree Guruji spread message of Advaita Vedanta, insisted on economic and spiritual development, talked about interfaith and inter caste harmony, promoted rational thought, intellectual liberation and knowledge acquisition. With a moto of “One Caste, One Religion and One God” Sree Narayana Guruji advocated for the service of humanity, political empowerment and spiritual upliftment of the masses. It’s strange that we are unknown to such a powerful figure of pre-independence era. Dr. Tharoor has written a brilliant book on him, it’s a simple read, a message loud and clear, short and concise. Everyone should read and know about such an illuminating mahapurusha 🙏🏽
Highly recommended.
January 30, 2026
The Sage Who Reimagined Hinduism is an accessible and thoughtful account of Sree Narayana Guru, a spiritual leader whose influence on Kerala’s social conscience far outweighs his national visibility. Tharoor’s central achievement lies in repositioning the Guru not just as a mystic, but as a quiet revolutionary who challenged caste hierarchy through education, temple reform, and a radically inclusive vision of faith.
Structured into The Life, The Lessons, and The Legacy, the book moves smoothly from biography to philosophy to impact. Tharoor’s prose is clear and measured, making complex spiritual ideas—especially the Guru’s emphasis on equality and human dignity—easy for general readers to grasp. The chapters on caste oppression and social reform are particularly effective, rooting spirituality in lived social realities rather than abstraction.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
Structured into The Life, The Lessons, and The Legacy, the book moves smoothly from biography to philosophy to impact. Tharoor’s prose is clear and measured, making complex spiritual ideas—especially the Guru’s emphasis on equality and human dignity—easy for general readers to grasp. The chapters on caste oppression and social reform are particularly effective, rooting spirituality in lived social realities rather than abstraction.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
January 29, 2026
It is about Guru Shree Narayan of Shivgiri Kerala.
He was a legendary guru of Advaita Vedanta.
He fought for equality of everyone and the value of education.
He is not famous but he had a huge impact on the society of Kerala.
Book is breezy and easy.
His poems are heart touching.
His life lessons and legacy are eternal.
Highly recommend.
He was a legendary guru of Advaita Vedanta.
He fought for equality of everyone and the value of education.
He is not famous but he had a huge impact on the society of Kerala.
Book is breezy and easy.
His poems are heart touching.
His life lessons and legacy are eternal.
Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews