ABSTRACT
Embodiment of the divine continues to be a subject of study in many religions, more so in the Hindu tradition, primarily because divine and human boundaries are blurred in rituals, performances, and perceptions regarding divine and divine–human interactions. One such case remains, that of Sree Narayana Guru, a member of the Izhava caste, and a product of the colonial time period in Kerala, who critiqued and rejected some of the customary practices within the caste oriented society of early twentieth century Kerala, and pioneered the socioreligious reform movement. Based on ethnographic research in Kerala since 2008, hagiographies, and historiographies, this chapter discusses the factors contributing toward the apotheosis of Guru. Three significant aspects—movement, miracles, and mysticism—serve as trajectories for understanding this process in early twentieth century Kerala. The chapter highlights how "healings" as miracles attribute supernatural power to Guru, and by extension accomplish his apotheosis.
