Mahanam Sampradaya
Bengali:মহানাম সম্প্রদায় | |
 Prabhu Jagadbandhuconsidered avatar by Mahanam Sampradaya | |
| Formation | 1891 as movement[1] |
|---|---|
| Founder | Prabhu Jagadbandhu(inspirator) Sripad Mahendraji (organisator) |
| Founded at | Bengal,British India |
| Type | Hindu denomination Religious organization |
| Purpose | Educational,philanthropic,religious studies,spirituality |
| Headquarters | Mahauddharana Math,Maniktala,Kolkata,West Bengal,India Sri Angan,Faridpur,Bangladesh |
| Location |
|
Area served | India&Bangladesh |
Membership | more than 1 million |
Official languages | Bengali |
Previous head | Mahanambrata Brahmachari |
Current head | Upasakbandhu Bramachari in India and Kantibandhu Brahmachari in Bangladesh |
Key people | Mahanambrata Brahmachari |
| Affiliations | Hinduism |
| Part ofa serieson |
| Hinduism |
|---|
 |
Mahanam Sampradaya(Bengali:মহানাম সম্প্রদায়) is a monastic organisation founded in the last decade of the 19th century withinHinduismin theBengal Presidencyof colonialBritish Indiaand spiritually inspired byPrabhu Jagadbandhu.[1]As the tradition-sampradayais also known as a Krishnaite institution and it was formed in the early 20th century by Sripad Mahendraji.[2]Presently followers of Mahanam Sampradaya are centered in both India and Bangladesh.[1]Radha Krishna,GaurNitaiandPrabhu Jagadbandhuare the chief deities worshiped by the Mahanam Sampradaya.[citation needed]
History of formation
[edit]Arrival of new incarnation
[edit]Formation of Mahanam Sampradaya started with the advent ofPrabhu Jagadbandhu(1871 – 1921) — a mystic and author ofkirtansongs[3]—who was the focus of a new revival movement within the Bengali Vaishnavas in the last decade 19th century, and whom Mahanam Sampradaya (and many others) believe as anavatarofKrishnaasChaitanya Mahaprabhu[4]andNityananda.At the first time, in 1891 Annada Charan Datta—the leader of Hari Sabha, a circle of devotees atHooghly—was reported to have had a vision that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was reincarnate in the form of Prabhu Jagadbandhu.[5]
Prabhu Jagadbandu was a great Hindu saint and yogi fromGaudiya Vaishnavism.He said[6]
Show kindness and compassion and do well to all creatures. Make a free gift of religion to all. Initiation in the hallowed name of Hari is the sure means of attaining salvation (i.e. deliverance from all agonies and sufferings). This is the secret of salvation. This is the secret of eternal good done to others
Preaching of Vaishnavism by Prabhu Jagadbandhu and Mahagambhira Lila
[edit]Prabhu JagadbandhupreachedKrishnaismandVaishnavismfor 30 years. He asked people to chant the holy name of God (Radha KrishnaandGourNitai), to developlove for God.He urged everyone to love all creatures irrespective ofcasteor creed.[citation needed] This time period is referred to as the 'Maha Gambhira Lila' (in contrast toChaitanya Mahaprabhu's Gambhira Lila).[citation needed]
Leadership of Sripad Mahendraji and formation of Mahanam Sampradaya
[edit]Sripad Mahendraji renounced the world at an early age of 20 years. He went toVrindavanin search oflord Krishna.later, he went toSri AnganwherePrabhu Jagadbandhuwas at that time, in the small cottage.
Sripad Mahendraji decided to settle inSri Anganand lead the life of an ashramite Brahmachari i.e. Living in aashramand followBrahmacarya.
After few years,Prabhu jagadbandhuemployed Sripad Mahendraji with a mission. Prabhu Jagadbandu asked Sripad Mahendraji to organise a band of selfless Brahmacharies i.e. those who followBrahmacarya.He asked Sripad Mahendraji to go with the band of Brahmacharies from place to place and preach the 'Mahanam Sampradaya'.
Accordingly, a band of about 50sannyasinswas assembled, who together founded the Mahanam Sampradaya under the leadership of Sripad Mahendraji.[7]
Later Sripad Mahendraji made his discipleDr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji,the head of Mahanam Sampradaya.
Mahanam Sampradaya under Mahanambrata Brahmachari
[edit]
After the formation of Mahanam Sampradaya, Sripad Mahendraji received letter of invitation for the 2ndparliament of world religion( or more commonly theworld fellowship of faiths) in the year 1933.[7]
Sripad Mahendra ji sentMahanambrata Brahmachariji,a scholarly leader of Mahanam Sampradaya, as a deligate toChicago,Illinois,U.S.A.to attend the conference.[8]
After returning from Chicago and after the death of Sripad Mahendraji,Mahanambrata Brahmachariwas made the head of Mahanam Sampradaya.
Under his guidance Mahanam Sampradaya developed further. Thus, 'Mahanam Sevak Sangha', a subsidiary of Mahanam Sampradaya was established for the non-ashramite followers. 'Mahanambrata Cultural and Welfare Trust', a publication was also initiated by Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji.
Mahanam Sampradaya in present
[edit]Mahanambrata Brahmachariallowed Upasakbandhu Brahmachari and Nabanibandhu Brahmachari to carry forward the guru parampara or spiritual lineage or allowed them to givemantra dikshato initiate devotees.
By the time Mahanambrata Brahmachari died in 1999,[9]Bangladesh attained its liberation.
So, in 1999, Upasakbandhu Brahmachari became the head of Mahanam Sampradaya in India and Nabanibandhu Brahmachari became the head of Mahanam Sampradaya in Bangladesh.
When Nabanibandhu Brahmachari died, Kantibandhu Brahmachari became the head of Mahanam Sampradaya in Bangladesh. Therefore, Upasakbandhu Brahmachari and Kantibandhu Brahmachari are the head of Mahanam Sampradaya in India and Bangladesh respectively.[10]
Philosophy and Ideology of Mahanam Sampradaya
[edit]Mahanam Sampradaya is a new Krishnaite Vaishava denomination. It believes in attaining the five principals ofMansatvya or Humanitynamely-[7]
1.Achourya [also called Asteya].(Not to steal)
2.Ahimsa.(Non-Violence)
5.shaucha(cleanlinessof bothinner selfand body )
Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji once said the following about Mahanam Sampradaya's philosophy called Manav Dharma -[11]
The perfection of human life is in the attainment of humanity. In order to gain humanity, one has to achieve five Qualities.Ahimsa(Non-Violence),Samyama(Self-restraint),Shaucha(cleanliness),Achourya( non- thiefness), andSatya(truth). Do not envy anyone. Do not steal anyone's goods. Body and mind, Keep them holy. Always be self - restrained in moral character. Don't let untruth touch(influence) your deeds and words. As a human being, we have just oneDharmai.e. Attaining Manushatvya (Humanity). This same thing has been told byPrabhu Jagadbandhuin the form of aSutra- "Ei Marma Ei Dharma" I advice all to become human beings after attaining Manushatvya (humanity) and also help others to become human. This is the best service to the people.
Mahanam Mahakirtan
[edit]According to Mahanam Sampradaya, Mahanam Mahakirtan is a key aspect of their religious practice and cult. Mahanam literally means 'Great Name'. It generally refers to the following lines from Prabhu Jagadbandhu's book named 'Chandrapath'[12]
Hari Purusha Jagadbandhu Maha Uddharana
Charihasta Chandraputra Hakitapatana
(Prabhu Prabhu Prabhu Hey) (Anantanantamaya)
— Prabhu Jagadbandhu,'MAHANAM', Chandrapath
Mahakirtan means 'GreatKirtanand congregation chanting of the holy name of God.'
So, Mahanam Mahakirtan literary means congregation chanting of above mentioned Mahanam. Whereas, Mahanam Mahakirtan more generally refers to the ceaseless congregation chanting of Mahanam around the sandalwood casket placed first inSri Anganbut later moved to Mahendra Bandhu Angan, a prominent temple of Mahanam Sampradaya inGhurni,Krishnanagar,West Bengal,India.The sandalwood casket called 'Shree Samput' preserves the holy body ofPrabhu Jagadbandhu.Sripad Mahendraji andMahanambrata Brahmachariand Mahanam Sampradaya believes thatPrabhu Jagadbandhuwill someday come out from the sandalwood casket after hearing the Mahanam Mahakirtan.
Mahanam Mahakirtan was started on 18 October 1921. Mahanam Mahakirtan is also known as Mahanam 'Yajna'.[7]
Social activities of Mahanam Sampradaya
[edit]Social activities of Mahanam Sampradaya are carried out by Mahanam Sevak Sangha, a subsidiary of Mahanam Sampradaya.[13]
Since 1981, Mahanam Sampradaya has run a charitabledispensary(free except 1INRfor registration of each patient) named Sri Sri Prabhu Jagatbandhu Sevangan.
Free medical camps are organised every year by Mahanam Sampradaya on the event of Ganga Sagar mela, an annual fair for pilgrims at Southern part ofSagar Islandof West Bengal, India. A few ambulances are also operated by Mahanam Sampradaya.
Mahanam Sampradaya also donate free blankets for the poor and needy people in the winter months. Mahanam Sampradaya runs two schools of their own and also provide free books for the needy and meritorious students.[14]
Temples of Mahanam Sampradaya
[edit]Mahanam Sampradaya has dozens of temples in India and Bangladesh. Some prominent temples are listed below.[15]
| SL no. | Name of Temple | Location | Google plus code
[forGoogle maps] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MAHENDRA BANDHU ANGAN | Ghurni, Krishnagar, West Bengal, India | --- |
| 2 | MAHAUDDHARANA MATH | Maniktala, Kolkata, West Bengal, India | H9JM+RH |
| 3 | MAHANAM ANGAN | Raghunathpur I, Kolkata, West Bengal, India | JC9J+9G |
| 4 | SRI SRI BANDHU KUNJ | Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India | HPM3+94 |
| 5 | SRI SRI PRABHU JAGATBANDHU ASHRAM | Puri, Odisha, India | QRV7+7W |
| 6 | HARISABHA MANDIR | Nabadwip, West Bengal, India | C969+C7 |
| 7 | MAHANAM MATH | Nabadwip, West Bengal, India | --- |
| 8 | SRI SRI RADHAMADHAB - PRABHU JAGATBANDHU ASHRAM | Siliguri, West Bengal, India | PC6X+4C |
| 9 | SRI SRI MAHANAM ANGAN | Banamalipur, Agartala, Tripura, India | R8VW+F7 |
| 10 |
SRI SRI JAGADBANDHU ASRAM |
Subhashgram, West Bengal, India | CCCV+QG |
| 11 |
SRI SRI DAHAPARA DHAM |
Murshidabad, West Bengal, India | 57V3+5F |
| 12 | Sri Angan | Faridpur, Bangladesh | JP7W+73 |
| 13 | PRABHU JAGADBANDHU ASHRAM | Bakchar, Bangladesh | |
| 14 | PRABHU JAGADBANDHU ASHRAM | Brahmankanda, Bangladesh | --- |
There are some more temples of Mahanam Sampradaya which are not included in the above list.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcCarney, Gerald T. (2020)."Baba Premananda Bharati: his trajectory into and through Bengal Vaiṣṇavism to the West".In Ferdinando Sardella; Lucian Wong (eds.).The Legacy of Vaiṣṇavism in Colonial Bengal.Routledge Hindu Studies Series. Milton, Oxon; New York: Routledge. pp. 135–160.ISBN978-1-138-56179-3.pp.140–141.
- ^Mahanambrata Brahmachari.Mahendra Leelalamrita.Kolkata. p. 26.
- ^Mandal, Paresh Chandra (2012)."Jagadbandhu".InIslam, Sirajul;Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.).Banglapedia—National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh(2nd ed.).Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- ^Carney 2020,p. 140.
- ^Carney 2020,p. 141.
- ^Collection by Brahmachari Parimalbadhu Das.Bandhu Ved Bani [Veda quotes of Bandhu].Kolkata: Sri Mahanambrata cultural and welfare trust. p. 1.
- ^abcd"History of Mahanam Sampradaya".mahanam.org.Retrieved19 October2020.
- ^Carney 2020,p. 143.
- ^Niebuhr, Gustav (18 October 1999)."The New York Times".
- ^"Present Spiritual head of Mahanam Sampradaya".Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2020.
- ^Bio sketch of Dr.Mahanambrata Brahmacharijiby, Mahanam Sampradaya (2008).Rekhay lekhay Mahanambrata [Dr.Mahanambrata Brahmacharijiin text and sketch].Kolkata:Sree Mahanambrata Cultural and Welfare Trust. p. 33.
- ^Prabhu, Jagadbandhu (1951).Chandrapath.Mahanam Cultural and Welfare Trust. p. 3.
- ^"History of Mahanam Sevak Sangha".Archived fromthe originalon 19 October 2020.
- ^"Social Activities of Mahanam Sampradaya".Archived fromthe originalon 21 October 2020.
- ^"List of ashrams of Mahanam Sampradaya".21 October 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2020.
External links
[edit]- Official websiteArchived2020-10-20 at theWayback Machine