Astrology Guru Sri Kanapram Narayanan Namboothiri

The word Guru is used for a person in the sense of honour. It is associated with the field of education and means teacher in Sanskrit. Sri Kanapram Narayanan Namboothiri, from Kaithapram (Pin code – 670631), a place near Payyannur, deserves to be honoured with the word “Guru” since he served for the same in the field of Indian astrology.  The author of this article actually used to reside in his residence as a disciple of astrology and has learnt various items related to the subject during the time periods from 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. in the years from 1983 up to 1989 approximately for six years, but in broken periods. He also provided food in that time and bed for overnight rest, similar to the Gurukulam system of learning.

His traditional house with Kerala laterite stone walls and the holy pooja muri (where worship is offered to Gods) inside with four square view, opened to the sky in the center, can be seen even today. It was comfortable and cool like an air conditioned room even in hot summer days. There is a traditional water tank beyond the court yard, having separate private partition space for taking bath for ladies. This premise is very near to the Kaithapram bus stop and from Pilathara to Kaithapram, road is accessible. This area is under Kannur district of Kerala state. Sri Shankaran Namboothiri is his son and at present residing in this residence. He is a writer for Malayalam Dinapatram.

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Early Life and Education

Sri Kanapram Narayanan Namboothiri was born on the day of Jyesta star of Simha month of Kollam Era 1097, (1918 CE) as son of Sri Late Thekke Kanapram Iswaran Namboothiri and Devaki Antharjanam couple.  In the childhood, he completed primary education as usual in the traditional set up of the family, acquiring sufficient Sanskrit knowledge and by hearting Yajurveda verses. Due to proficiency in Yajurveda, he got a scholarship in the court of Travancore Maharaja along with similar other Sanskrit scholars. He mastered astrology and Kerala Temple Architecture later.

Contribution to the Society

After marriage with Smt. Saraswathi Antharjanam, he dedicated the whole of his life time for the various temple renovation works on full time basis along with practicing Indian astrology. He was providing services by visiting the premises also for reconstruction of old downtrodden temples as per the requests of various social organizations.

He used to publish an almanac (Deshamithra Panchangam) in local language for the use of his local area people, continuously for 65 years. He expired on 5^th August 2005. During his life time, he has written many useful books based on architecture, mathematics and astrology. The published books are Ashoucha Deepika, Jyotisha prakashika, Navagraha stotra bhashya. In the house, there is a good collection of Sanskrit manuscripts.

His vedic knowledge has gained high and good appreciation, in a conference held in New Delhi and the then Prime Minister of India has honoured him with a momento and a citation of Veda Vidyachara Peetham of India.

During his astrological teachings he frequently used to quote the following lines in praise of knowledge.

नहि ज्ञानेन सदृशम् पवित्रमिह विद्यते ।
तत्स्वयम् योग सम्सिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ॥

But as he said, a Guru could provide only a portion, say one fourth only.

आचार्यात्पादमादत्ते पादम् स्वमेधया ।
देशसंचारेण पादम् च काले सम्पूर्णतया ॥

It is the mandatory duty of Indians to preserve the branches of useful knowledge, having Sanskrit as base which always provide peace, progress and all comforts of human life.

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Esteemed readers are kindly requested to browse this website frequently and bless the author for better articles in future.  It is hereby expressed the gratitude for the courtesy of Sri Shankaran Namboothiri, son of the astrologer “Guru” Sri Kanapram Narayanan Namboothiri, for providing current information and allowing to write this illustrative article. Wish the readers a happy and blessed Guru Poornima.