Pope Francis Lauds Indian Saint Devasahayam Pillai: Who Was He and His Impact on Society

Pope Francis, the supreme religious leader of Christians, died on Monday (21 April) morning at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, a day after the holy festival of Easter. With this news, a wave of mourning has spread in the Christian world all over the world. Pope Francis was 88 years old and was ill for the last few days. Although his health was improving, he suddenly died today. At quarter to ten in the morning, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the death of Pope Francis. He was originally from Argentina. Before attaining the position of Pope, his name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Pope Francis on Devasahayam Pillai

The world's largest Christian religious leader has been known for his compassionate nature and service to humanity. At the end of last year, i.e. in December 2024, he also praised an Indian saint. The name of that saint is Shri Narayan Guru. Pope Francis had then said that Saint Narayan Guru's message of universal human unity is very relevant today because hatred is increasing everywhere in the world. The Pope had said these things when a huge gathering of religious leaders had taken place on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of the Sarva-dharma Sammelan of Shri Narayan Guru in Aluva, Ernakulam district of Kerala. The Pope had then said these things while addressing the religious leaders and representatives gathered at the Vatican.

The reason for unrest in the world is not following the teachings of religion
The Pope had said that today there is an atmosphere of unrest everywhere in the world, a big reason behind this is not adopting the teachings of religion. Then he praised Shri Narayan Guru and said that Saint Narayan Guru dedicated his life to promoting social and religious awakening through his message. The Pope said that the Guru had said in his message that all human beings, whatever their ethnicity, their religious and cultural traditions, are members of the same human family. The Pope then reiterated Narayan Guru's message that there should be no discrimination of any kind against anyone at any level, but the sad thing is that today everyone is facing some kind of discrimination at every level and everywhere.

Who was Saint Sri Narayana Guru?
Saint Sree Narayana Guru was an Indian philosopher, social reformer and poet. He led the movement against caste discrimination and social injustice in Kerala. He promoted Advaita Vedanta philosophy and supported equality and education for all. Sree Narayana Guru was born on August 22, 1856 in Chempazhanthi, a small village in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala to Madan Asan and his wife Kuttiamma. According to the social customs of the time, they were originally from the Ezhava caste which was considered a low caste.

Pope Indian lauds Indian Saint
He loved solitude and since childhood spent a lot of time in deep contemplation. He used to offer prayers in local temples and wrote bhajans and devotional songs. He fought against caste discrimination in Kerala and gave the slogan "One caste, one religion, one God". He founded the Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), an organisation working for social reform. He was a proponent of Advaita Vedanta and believed in one God in all beings. He wrote many important works like Advaita Deepika, Atma Vilasam, Daiva Dasakam and Brahmavidya Panchakam.