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P. Lakshmi Narasu
{{tone|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- For more information see [[:Template:Infobox Writer/doc]]. --> 
| image         = P. Lakshmi Narasu.jpg
| image_size    = 200px
| alt           = 
| caption       = P. Lakshmi Narasu
| pseudonym     = 
| birth_name    = 
| birth_date    = 1861
| birth_place   = 
| death_date    = 14 July 1934 (aged 73)
| death_place   = 
| resting_place = 
| occupation    = Professor and writer
| language      = English and Tamil (writing languages), French, Japanese, Pali, Telugu and Sanskrit
| nationality   = Indian
| ethnicity     = 
| citizenship   = 
| education     = 
| alma_mater    = Madras Christian College
| period        = 
| genre         = Education, Literature, Religion and Science
| subject       = 
| movement      = 
| notableworks  = The Essence of Buddhism (1907) 
| spouse        = {{•}}Rukmini Ammal<br />
{{•}}Ramarathnam Ammal
| partner       = 
| children      = son: Venkat <br/>daughter: Veerlaxmi
| relatives     = 
| influences    = 
| influenced    = 
| awards        = 
| signature     = 
| signature_alt = 
| website       = 
| portaldisp    = 
}}{{Complex}}
'''Pokala Lakshmi Narasu''' (1861 – 14 July 1934), sometimes known as '''P. L. Narasu''' or '''P. Lakshmi Narasu''', was an [[India|Indian]]n [[Academia|scholar]], [[author]], [[Social reform|social reformer]]er and [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] [[philosopher]]. He was a [[professor]] of [[Physics]].  His research papers have been [[Publishing|published]] in science [[Journal|journals]]s. He worked mainly on [[dynamics]].  

== Personal life ==
Narasu was born in 1861 to a rich family. His father was Pokla Chellum Narayanguru belongs to Kapu Community. He was a prominent lawyer at the [[Madras High Court]]. Narasu had one sister named Andal Ammal. He also had three brothers named Krishnaswamy, Ramanujan and Bhashyam. In 1911, Ramanujan and Bhashyam died in a [[train]] accident. Narasu's first wife was Rukmini Ammal. She was also active in public life through a Women’s Welfare Association.  

They had ten children, but only two survived. These two children were their son Venkat and daughter VeerLakshmi. Venkat died in [[Paris]] while he was studying. Narasu's wife died soon after. In 1925 Narasu married Ramarathnam Ammal, a [[widow]], as per [[Buddhist culture|Buddhist rite]] in the Perambur Viyaram.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Religion of modern Buddhist|last=Narasu|first=P. L.|publisher=Samyak Prakashan, New Delhi|year=2002|isbn=978-81-98524-70-8|location=Delhi|pages=IX|language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://keetru.com/dalithmurasu/feb07/aloysious.php|title=Dalithmurasu {{!}} Ambedkar {{!}} Lakshmi Narasu {{!}} Budha|website=keetru.com|access-date=2020-08-06}}</ref>

== Education and professional life ==
Narasu studied [[science]]. He [[Graduation|graduated]] from [[:en:Madras University|Madras University]]. He was the joint winner of the Jagirdar of Arni’s Gold Medal of 1892-94. He joined the [[Madras Christian College]] as [[Professor|Assistant Professor]] in 1894.  

In 1909 Narasu left Christian College. He became a full-time professor at [[Pachaiyappa’s college]]. He was at the college for 16 years. Narasu [[Retirement|retired]] from teaching at the college in 1925. Narasu's main interests were [[exact sciences]], but he was also interested in [[society]], [[literature]], [[art]], [[philosophy]], [[history]], [[culture]] and [[religion]].

== Religious works ==
Pt. [[Iyothee Thassar]], M. Singaravelu(Father of Indian communist party) and P. L. Narasu started the South Indian Buddhist Association (Shakya Buddhist Society). This was to make Buddhism more popular. They worked with the [[Mahabodhi Society]] which [[Anagarik Dharmapal]] started in 1890. Narasu wrote several articles and books on [[Buddhism]]. The Shakya Buddhist Society used his book ''The Essence of Buddhism'' (1907) to [[Promotion|promote]] their ideas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/180723792|title=Trove|website=trove.nla.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2020-08-06}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2020}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=42,4897,0,0,1,0|title=Buddhist Channel {{!}} India|website=www.buddhistchannel.tv|access-date=2020-08-06}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2020}} The book had in huge demand in [[Japan]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Religion of Modern Buddhist|last=Narasu|first=P. L.|publisher= Samyak publication|year=2002|isbn=|location=Delhi|pages=XVIII|language=English}}</ref>{{sps|date=September 2020}} [[Czechoslovakia|Czechoslovakian]]n [[Foreign minister|foreign Minister]] [[Jim Mosarik]] [[Translation|translated]] his other book ''What is Buddhism?'' (1916) into [[Czech language|Czech]]. It was regarded as a guide on Buddhism.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Religion of modern Buddhist|last=Narasu|first=P. L.|publisher=Samyak Prakashan|year=2002|isbn=978-81-98524-70-8|location=Delhi|pages=XVIII|language=English}}</ref>{{sps|date=September 2020}} He also wrote ''Religion of Modern Buddhist'' in the early 1930s. He also wrote a book on [[caste]] called ''A Study of Caste'' (1922).  

In 1910, with the help of South Buddhist Association, he did a [[census]] of Buddhist people of [[Madras]]. He found there were 18,000.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Essence of Buddhism|last=Narasu|first=P. L.|publisher=|year=|isbn=|location= |pages=03|language=English}}</ref> Narasu gave lectures at various places to promote Buddhism. He also organised four Buddhist [[Conference|conferences]]s. The first was held in 1917 at Moore Pavilion People’s Park in Madras. The second was in 1920 in [[Bangalore]]. The third was in Madras in 1928. The fourth one was in Bangalore Presidency, at Tirupatur Kolar Gold Field in 1932.<ref>{{Cite book|title=What is Buddhism|last=Narasu|first=P. L.|publisher=Samyak Prakashan, New Delhi|year=|isbn=81-88794-42-2|location=Delhi|pages=8, 9|language=English}}</ref>    

P. L. Narasu had a large [[influence]] on the work of [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar]], who revived [[Buddhism in India]]. He also republished (published again) his most famous book ''The Essence of Buddhism'' in 1948. He also wrote a [[preface]] to it. In the preface of the book he [[wikt:recommend|recommended]] the book for those who are interested in the study of Buddhism.

==Views==
{{NPOV|date=August 2020}}

===Thoughts on caste===
(contracted; show full)

== Writing ==
Narasu wrote many books especially in English. His books have been translated into many languages.<ref>http://roundtableindia.co.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8847:decoding-the-spirit-of-castes-a-book-review-of-pokala-lakshmi-narasu-s-a-study-of-caste&catid=119:feature&Itemid=132</ref><ref>http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n89650321/</ref>

* ''Essence of Buddhism'' (1907)<ref
 name="amazon.in">https://www.amazon.in/Books-P-Lakshmi-Narasu/s?rh=n%3A976389031%2Cp_27%3AP.+Lakshmi+Narasu</ref><ref>https://ia800205.us.archive.org/9/items/essenceofbuddhis015612mbp/essenceofbuddhis015612mbp.pdf</ref>
**The second edition of this book was published in 1911 by [[Anagarik Dharmapala]]; The third edition was published in 1948 by [[Babasaheb Ambedkar]]. This book has been translated into Hindi by [[Bhadant Anand Kausalyayan]] and G. Appa Duriyar translated the book into Tamil.
* ''What is Buddhism'' (1916)
* ''A Study of Caste'' (1922)<ref>https://www.amazon.in/Books-P-Lakshmi-Narasu/s?rh=n%3A976389031%2Cp_27%3AP.+Lakshmi+Narasu</ref name="amazon.in"/><ref>http://archive.org/details/studyofcaste00plak</ref>
* ''Religion of the Modern Buddhist'' (2002; Samyak Publication, New Delhi)
* ''Buddhism In a Nutshell''

== References==
{{reflist}}

==Other websites==
* [https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/madras-miscellany-the-essential-buddhist/article2079228.ece Madras miscellany: The ‘Essential Buddhist' (''The Hindu'')]


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Narasu, P. L.akshmi}}
[[Category:Indian writers]]
[[Category:Buddhists]]
[[Category:Tamil people]]⏎
[[Category:1861 births]]
[[Category:1934 deaths]]