Brahmo Samaj - Summary
The Brahmo Samaj is an important movement in the Brahmo religion, mainly observed today as the Adi Dharm, especially after its decline in Bengal when the Tattwabodini Sabha left in 1859. Founded by Raja Ram Mohun Roy in 1828, the Brahmo Samaj Movement plays a vital role in India’s reform movements, aiming to bring a renaissance to Bengal by combating societal evils like Sati and the caste system while promoting educational, religious, and social reform.
Brahmo Samaj – Introduction
The Brahmo Samaj originated as a monotheistic sect of Hinduism in 1828, initiated through gatherings of Bengalis in Calcutta. One of the pivotal figures, Ram Mohun Roy, helped form the Brahmo Sabha. In 1831, Roy traveled to England as a reforming ambassador and passed away there in 1833.
The primary aim of the Brahmo Samaj is to worship the eternal God. It opposes priesthood, rituals, and sacrifices, focusing instead on prayer, meditation, and reading scriptures. In 1814, Raja Ram Mohan Roy established the “Atmiya Sabha,” which ultimately became known as the Brahmo Samaj in 1828. Devendranath Thakur continued Roy’s work, and later, Keshav Chandra Sen joined the movement. Due to differences, Keshav Chandra Sen started the “Bharatvarsha Brahmo Samaj” in 1866.
Brahmo Samaj Principal Objectives
- God: The Brahmo Samaj believes in an ‘Infinite Singularity,’ which is considered to be infinite, indivisible, imperceptible, and indefinable. It rejects the concepts of Avatars, reincarnation, and rebirth, and strongly opposes idolatry and polytheism.
- Love: The movement emphasizes love and respect for all living beings while advising its followers against idolization, reserving worship only for the Singularity, or “Brahman.”
- Scripture: Followers of Brahmo Samaj do not recognize any books, prophets, or intermediaries between Brahman and the human soul, nor do they subscribe to the teachings of Karma.
- Adherents might personally believe in Karma and reincarnation, based on their individual views.
- Liberation: The Brahmo Samaj acknowledges the immortality of the soul, ready to unite with Brahman, but does not advocate for the idea of salvation or “Mukthi.”
- Moreover, it rejects the concepts of heaven and hell. Knowledge, truth, and free will are highly valued.
- Righteousness is viewed as the only true way of life. The Samaj encourages secular principles while opposing sectarian views and coercive religious practices.
- Superstition: It actively works against superstition and dogma. The eradication of practices like ‘Sati’ was one of the significant motivations behind the formation of the Brahmo Samaj.
- The Samaj contends that non-scientific rituals, priests, and places of worship like temples, churches, and mosques hold little significance.
- It denounces all forms of totalitarianism and inequality based on race, caste, religion, and other factors, recognizing that these disparities often lead to conflict.
Brahmo Samaj’s Importance
- It condemns polytheism and idol worship.
- The Samaj has rejected all beliefs in divine incarnations.
- It refutes the notion that any scripture holds ultimate authority over reason and conscience.
- It critiques the caste system.
- Nevertheless, it takes no definitive stance on concepts of karma and the transmigration of souls.
Later, after Keshav Chandra Sen’s daughter married a Cooch-Behar prince, many members opposed this act for contradicting Brahmo Samaj principles, leading to a split.
Additionally, some did not accept his “Doctrine of God in Conscience,” resulting in the formation of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj in 1878, led by Anand Mohan Bose, Derozia Shib Chandra, Sivnath Shastri, and Vijay Krishna.
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