The Indian Messenger Online

[Published in Brahmo Public Opinion, March,1879] Babu Raj Narain Bose’s letter, which our readers will find in the correspondence column, raises a very important question for the consideration of Brahmo Samajes in Calcutta is a “consummation to be devoutly wished for”. No one for one moment will question. But how far this is possible in the present state of affairs is rather a difficult question. The letter set out in our respected correspondent’s communication, deserve more than a passing notice, Read More …

Dr. Asim Pada Chakrabarti India as a nation is going to celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, popularly held as the ‘Father of our Nation’. After his pathetic demise in 1948, Gandhi’s life, philosophy, views, ideals and activities had been thoroughly researched and analyzed by scholars all around the world and thousands of articles and books were written on him. Gandhi, the shrewd practical politician, a great social reformer, a deeply religious saint, an unifying public figure, successful implementer Read More …

Charles Easton Life in the presence of God is, rich and gracious. In thought of God sorrow and sighing flee away. Those who love God find it their supreme joy continually to offer him delighted thanks-giving. When we erase the traditional picture of heaven our speaking, these truths are often left unsaid. Until we are ready with new ways of saying them the perennial truth of heaven is overlooked. We may say that heaven is a state of mind and Read More …

By Debanjan Ray Continued from last issue… Keshub Chandra Sen’s philosophy: The Sloka Sangraha (“The collection of Hymns”) initiated by Keshab Chandra Sen (1866) contained selected texts from Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Christian, Jewish, Parsee, and Chinese scriptures. The representation of the world religion thus expanded the Brahma of Upanishad to all Monotheistic Gods from all theism into a single platform. In Jibanbed, Keshub explained “Who knew I should obey Isa(Jesus)? When I felt I cannot but care Gauranga, I went Read More …

Continued from last issue… Excessive jealousy of their female connections operating in the breasts of Hindu Princes renders those despots regardless of the common bonds of society, and of their incumbent duty as protector of the weaker sex, in so much that with a view to prevent every possibility of their widows forming subsequent attachment, they availed themselves of their arbitrary power, and cloak of religion, introduced the practise of burning widows alive, under the first impression of sorrow or Read More …

By Pratap Chandra Chunder Continued from last issue… At meeting held in the United States of America, Tagore said, India had never had a real sense of nationalism even though from the childhood I had been taught that idolatry of the Nation is almost better than God and humanity, I believe I have outgrown that teaching and it is my conviction that my countrymen will truly gain their India by fighting against the education which teaches them that a country Read More …

Continued from last issue… About this interview the India Gazette of July, ,27 1829 noted : “An eminent native philanthropist who has been taken the lead of his countrymen on this great question   has been encouraged to submit his views of it in a written form and has been subsequently honoured with an audience by the Governor General who are learn, has expressed his anxious desire to put an end to a custom constituting so foul a blot.”. The Gazette Read More …

By Pratap Chandra Chunder Richard Church, English writer and critic, has called Rabindranath Tagore the “universal man”. To be precise I looked up some modern standard dictionaries to find out the meaning of the word ‘universal’ in this context. The recent Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary defines the word ‘universal’, as “affecting or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group”. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines the word as “including or covering all or whole Read More …

Continued from last issue… The cruel custom of burning widows had the sanction of antiquity and the approbation of the Hindu people. The alien Rulers did not venture to touch it lest thereby they incurred the displeasures of the Hindus and stood the chance of losing their revenue and empire. The custom could have been stopped if the Nizamat Adalat had given rulings on the lines indicated by Rammohun Roy. No special resolution would have been necessary in that case. Read More …