Socio- Religious Reform Movements - Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Prarthna Samaj, Ram Krishna Mission.

<–2/”>a >Reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Jyotiba Phule, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Pandita Ramabai understood that ignorance and backwardness in the Society was responsible for hindering its progress and development. They studied the religious scriptures and criticized the prevalent religious and social practices. According to them, society should be based on the concepts of Liberty and Equality both for men and Women and this was possible only by the spread of modern and scientific Education especially among the women.These movements came to be called socio-religious movement because the reformers felt that no change is possible in a society without reforming the religion.

Raja Rammohan Roy’s efforts to fight the social evils were supported by the then Governor General of India, Sir William Bentinck. A law was passed in 1829 making Sati illegal and punishable. He also made efforts to advocate widow re-marriage and condemned child marriage. He advocated the importance of Vedas in reforming religion and upheld the fundamental unity among all religions.He started a campaign for the abolition of sati, condemned polygamy and concubinage, denounced casteism, advocated the rights of Hindu widows to remarry. He rejected Christianity . denied the divinity of Jesus Christ , but accepted the humanism of Europe Thus, Rammohan Roy sought to effect a cultural synthesis between the East and the West.

The Arya Samaj founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875 undertook the task of reforming Hindu religion in North India. He considered Vedas to be infallible and the foundation of all knowledge. He rejected all those religious thoughts which were in conflict with the Vedas. He believed that every person had the right to have direct access to God.He disregarded the authority of the later Hindu scriptures like the Puranas and described them as the work of lesser men a responsible for the evil practices of idol worship and other superstitious beliefs in hindu religion. Dayanand condemned idol worship and preached unity of Godhead.

Ramakrishna Paramhansa (1836-1886) highlighted the essential unity of religions and the need to lead a spiritual life. He believed that the different religions of the world are only different ways to reach the same god.Ramakrishna Mission are based on ancient and traditional concepts amidst increasing westernization and modernization. The Mission was conceived and founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897, eleven years after the death of Ramkrishna. He considered and emphasized that Krishna, Hari , Rama, Christ, Allah are different names for the same God. Unlike the Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission recognizes the utility and value of image worship in developing spiritual fervor and worship of the Eternal Omnipotent God.

Swami Vivekanand believed in the spirit of Vedanta and the essential unity and equality of all religions. He laid Stress on the removal of religious superstitions, obscurantism, and outdated social customs. He tried to remove caste rigidities, and untouchability. He motivated the people to respect women while he himself worked for women’s upliftment and education. Vivekananda attached primary importance to the removal of ignorance among the people.

On 7 September 1875, HPB, Col. Olcott and W. Q. Judge, together with several others, formed a Society which they chose to call The Theosophical Society, for promulgating the ancient teachings of Theosophy, or the Wisdom concerning the Divine which had been the spiritual basis of other great movements of the past, such as Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, and the Mystery Schools of the classical world. The influence of Theosophical Society spread under Annie Beasant in 1893 who played an important role in India’s struggle for freedom. She and her associates advocated the revival and strengthening of the ancient religions of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism. The members of that his society believe that a special relationship can be established between a persons soul and God by comtemplation, prayer , revelations etc. The Society accepts the Hindu beliefs in reincarnationtion. Krma and draws inspiration from the philosophy of the Upanishads and Samkhya, Yoga/”>Yoga and Vedanta School of though. It aims to work for universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction of race, creed., sex, caste or colour. The Society also seeks to investigate the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man. The Theosophical Movement came to be allied with Hindu Renaissance.

The Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, and Ram Krishna Mission are four major Hindu reform movements that emerged in India in the 19th century. These movements were all founded in response to the perceived decline of Hinduism in the face of Western colonialism and modernity. They sought to revitalize Hinduism by reforming its practices and beliefs, and by making it more relevant to the modern world.

The Brahmo Samaj was founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Roy was a Bengali social reformer who was critical of many aspects of traditional Hinduism, such as idol worship, caste discrimination, and the practice of sati (widow burning). He believed that Hinduism needed to be reformed in order to be compatible with modern values such as reason, science, and social equality. The Brahmo Samaj promoted monotheism, the equality of all religions, and the education of women.

The Arya Samaj was founded in 1875 by Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Saraswati was a Hindu reformer who was critical of what he saw as the Corruption of Hinduism by Muslim and Christian influences. He believed that Hinduism needed to be restored to its original Vedic purity. The Arya Samaj promoted monotheism, the authority of the Vedas, and the rejection of idol worship and caste discrimination.

The Prarthana Samaj was founded in 1867 by Mahadev Govind Ranade. Ranade was a Marathi social reformer who was critical of many aspects of traditional Hinduism, such as idol worship, caste discrimination, and the lack of social reform. He believed that Hinduism needed to be reformed in order to be relevant to the modern world. The Prarthana Samaj promoted monotheism, social reform, and the education of women.

The Ram Krishna Mission was founded in 1886 by Swami Vivekananda. Vivekananda was a Hindu monk who was inspired by the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Ramakrishna was a Bengali mystic who believed in the unity of all religions. Vivekananda promoted a form of Hinduism that was compatible with modern values such as reason, science, and social equality. The Ram Krishna Mission promotes social reform, education, and the practice of yoga.

The Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, and Ram Krishna Mission were all important movements in the Hindu reform movement of the 19th century. They sought to revitalize Hinduism by reforming its practices and beliefs, and by making it more relevant to the modern world. These movements had a significant impact on the development of Hinduism in the 19th and 20th centuries, and their influence continues to be felt today.

In addition to their religious and social reforms, the Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, and Ram Krishna Mission also made significant contributions to the development of Indian education, literature, and culture. These movements helped to promote a more modern and progressive understanding of Hinduism, and they played a key role in the development of Indian nationalism.

Brahmo Samaj

What is the Brahmo Samaj?
The Brahmo Samaj is a Hindu reform movement that was founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The goal of the Brahmo Samaj was to reform Hinduism and make it more compatible with modern ideas.
What are the main beliefs of the Brahmo Samaj?
The Brahmo Samaj believes in one God, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe. They also believe in the equality of all people, regardless of caste or gender.
What are some of the practices of the Brahmo Samaj?
The Brahmo Samaj does not believe in idol worship or animal sacrifice. They also do not believe in the caste system. Instead, they focus on personal piety and social reform.
Who were some of the important figures in the Brahmo Samaj?
Some of the important figures in the Brahmo Samaj include Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Debendranath Tagore, and Keshub Chandra Sen.

Arya Samaj

What is the Arya Samaj?
The Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement that was founded in 1875 by Swami Dayananda Saraswati. The goal of the Arya Samaj was to revive the Vedic religion and make it more relevant to modern times.
What are the main beliefs of the Arya Samaj?
The Arya Samaj believes in one God, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe. They also believe in the Vedas as the supreme authority on religion and morality.
What are some of the practices of the Arya Samaj?
The Arya Samaj does not believe in idol worship or animal sacrifice. They also do not believe in the caste system. Instead, they focus on personal piety, social reform, and education.
Who were some of the important figures in the Arya Samaj?
Some of the important figures in the Arya Samaj include Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Prarthana Samaj

What is the Prarthana Samaj?
The Prarthana Samaj is a Hindu reform movement that was founded in 1867 by Mahadev Govind Ranade. The goal of the Prarthana Samaj was to reform Hinduism and make it more compatible with modern ideas.
What are the main beliefs of the Prarthana Samaj?
The Prarthana Samaj believes in one God, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe. They also believe in the Vedas as the supreme authority on religion and morality.
What are some of the practices of the Prarthana Samaj?
The Prarthana Samaj does not believe in idol worship or animal sacrifice. They also do not believe in the caste system. Instead, they focus on personal piety, social reform, and education.
Who were some of the important figures in the Prarthana Samaj?
Some of the important figures in the Prarthana Samaj include Mahadev Govind Ranade, Gopal Hari Deshmukh, and Vishnushastri Chiplunkar.

Ram Krishna Mission

What is the Ram Krishna Mission?
The Ram Krishna Mission is a Hindu reform movement that was founded in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda. The goal of the Ram Krishna Mission is to spread the message of love, compassion, and service to humanity.
What are the main beliefs of the Ram Krishna Mission?
The Ram Krishna Mission believes in one God, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe. They also believe in the Vedas as the supreme authority on religion and morality.
What are some of the practices of the Ram Krishna Mission?
The Ram Krishna Mission does not believe in idol worship or animal sacrifice. They also do not believe in the caste system. Instead, they focus on personal piety, social reform, and service to humanity.
Who were some of the important figures in the Ram Krishna Mission?
Some of the important figures in the Ram Krishna Mission include Swami Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita, and Swami Brahmananda.

Which of the following socio-religious reform movements was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy?
(A) Brahmo Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Prarthna Samaj
(D) Ram Krishna Mission
Which of the following socio-religious reform movements was founded by Dayanand Saraswati?
(A) Brahmo Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Prarthna Samaj
(D) Ram Krishna Mission
Which of the following socio-religious reform movements was founded by Keshab Chandra Sen?
(A) Brahmo Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Prarthna Samaj
(D) Ram Krishna Mission
Which of the following socio-religious reform movements was founded by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore?
(A) Brahmo Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Prarthna Samaj
(D) Ram Krishna Mission
Which of the following socio-religious reform movements was founded by Ramakrishna Paramhansa?
(A) Brahmo Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Prarthna Samaj
(D) Ram Krishna Mission
The Brahmo Samaj was founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
(A) True
(B) False
The Arya Samaj was founded in 1875 by Dayanand Saraswati.
(A) True
(B) False
The Prarthna Samaj was founded in 1867 by Keshab Chandra Sen.
(A) True
(B) False
The Ram Krishna Mission was founded in 1886 by Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
(A) True
(B) False
The Brahmo Samaj was a Hindu reform movement that sought to purify Hinduism and make it more compatible with modern Western ideas.
(A) True
(B) False
The Arya Samaj was a Hindu reform movement that sought to revive the Vedic religion and restore Hinduism to its original purity.
(A) True
(B) False
The Prarthna Samaj was a Hindu reform movement that sought to promote religious Tolerance and harmony among different faiths.
(A) True
(B) False
The Ram Krishna Mission was a Hindu reform movement that sought to spread the message of love and compassion through social service and education.
(A) True
(B) False