DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0520
510 Modern Theism. Rammohun Roy s successors.
schism have taken place in the Progressive Brahma-Samaj
Without doubt the career of this Samaj continued for several
years to be one of real progress. It did sterling work in
propagating its own reforming principles. It sent forth
earnest missionaries to all parts of India. It put forth an
ably written Sunday edition of its daily newspaper the Indian
Mirror K It encouraged fervour of faith and devotion (bhakti)
to such an extent that it was accused of making religion an
affair of mere emotion and excitement. One direction in
which the devotional side of the movement developed itself
was in the rapturous singing of hymns in chorus (samklrtana),
sometimes performed in procession through the streets.
Another form of development was the establishment of
Brahmotsavas, or periodical religious festivals as seasons of
special prayer, faith, and rejoicing. Besides all this, many
members of the Society were remarkable for austerity of life,
and the Samaj had a niche for those who'gave themselves up
to severe self-discipline and asceticism (Vairagya).
The rock on which it split was its too unquestioning
submission to the commanding ability of its leader. Keshab
Chandar Sen had fought his way through difficulties, hard-
ships and perils, with indomitable energy, but was not prepared
for an unsuspected danger—the danger of success—the danger
that too much praise would be lavished on the work he had
accomplished. For many years his daily path had certainly
not led him through clover; nor had his nightly rest been
taken on a bed of roses. Nowhere is eminent ability wor-
shipped with more fervour than in India. So conspicuous
were Mr. Sen's talents that he soon became the object of a
kind of adoration. He was even accused of accepting divine
1 Besides the ' Indian Mirror' the Sulabh Sumachar (' Cheap News')
and Dharma-tattva, 'Religious Truth,' have long been exponents of Mr.
Sen's teaching. Mr. Mozoomdar's ' Theistic Annual,' and his ' Theistic
Quarterly Review' which has lately taken its place, are more recent
advocates on the same side.
schism have taken place in the Progressive Brahma-Samaj
Without doubt the career of this Samaj continued for several
years to be one of real progress. It did sterling work in
propagating its own reforming principles. It sent forth
earnest missionaries to all parts of India. It put forth an
ably written Sunday edition of its daily newspaper the Indian
Mirror K It encouraged fervour of faith and devotion (bhakti)
to such an extent that it was accused of making religion an
affair of mere emotion and excitement. One direction in
which the devotional side of the movement developed itself
was in the rapturous singing of hymns in chorus (samklrtana),
sometimes performed in procession through the streets.
Another form of development was the establishment of
Brahmotsavas, or periodical religious festivals as seasons of
special prayer, faith, and rejoicing. Besides all this, many
members of the Society were remarkable for austerity of life,
and the Samaj had a niche for those who'gave themselves up
to severe self-discipline and asceticism (Vairagya).
The rock on which it split was its too unquestioning
submission to the commanding ability of its leader. Keshab
Chandar Sen had fought his way through difficulties, hard-
ships and perils, with indomitable energy, but was not prepared
for an unsuspected danger—the danger of success—the danger
that too much praise would be lavished on the work he had
accomplished. For many years his daily path had certainly
not led him through clover; nor had his nightly rest been
taken on a bed of roses. Nowhere is eminent ability wor-
shipped with more fervour than in India. So conspicuous
were Mr. Sen's talents that he soon became the object of a
kind of adoration. He was even accused of accepting divine
1 Besides the ' Indian Mirror' the Sulabh Sumachar (' Cheap News')
and Dharma-tattva, 'Religious Truth,' have long been exponents of Mr.
Sen's teaching. Mr. Mozoomdar's ' Theistic Annual,' and his ' Theistic
Quarterly Review' which has lately taken its place, are more recent
advocates on the same side.