Home > Society > Religion in India > Vaishnavite Revival in Bengal
Vaishnavite Revival in Bengal
Vaishnavite Revival in Bengal was a socio-religious movement led by Keshab Chandra Sen and Bijoy Krishna Goswami.

Share this Article:

Keshab Chandra Sen - Vaishnavite Revival in Bengal was a socio-religious movementVaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, which is known to worship Lord Vishnu or his associated avatars. Vaishnava theology includes the central beliefs of Hinduism such as reincarnation, samsara, karma, and the various Yoga systems. Vaishnavism is followed in all parts of the country and it has undergone a transition in many states. Vaishnavite revival in Bengal took place in February 1880. Keshab Chandra Sen followed a universalistic religious ideology. He called upon his supporters to create a religious revival. Sen organized a procession with musical instruments and sang hymns with his disciples representing Chaitanya`s devotional Vaishnavism. The religious path undertaken by Keshab Chandra Sen, thus, can be defined as new-Vaishnavism. This became one of the famous socio-religious movements in India.

Vaishnavite revival in Bengal also established newer dimension with the support of Bijoy Krishna Goswami. Goswami studied several religious works such as the Chaitanya Charitamrita, a biography of the great Bhakti saint, under the guidance of Harimohun Pramanil. In addition to that Bijoy Krishna Goswami visited various Vaishnava gurus to gather more knowledge on Vaishnavism. He continued his works as a Brahmo missionary yet blended devotional Vaishnavism as taught by Chaitanya with his own concept of Brahmoism. He even spent most of his qualitative time by studying yogas and bhakti. Bijoy Krishna Goswami started worshipping the idols of Radha, Krishna, and Durga. In 1885 Goswami broke completely with the Brahmo movement and continued as a presenter of revived Vaishnavism. In 1890, he even visited Brindaban and Mathura and four years later travelled to Allahabad for the festival of Kumba Mela.

Vaishnavite revival in Bengal took place because of the interest and involvement of Bijoy Krishna Goswami as an orthodox Vaishnavism. He inspired a revival of Vaishnavism through his disciples such as Bipan Chandra Pal. Revival of Vaishnavism was also possible through the religious literature produced by the disciples of Goswami. Thus, Bijoy Krishna`s drift away from Brahmo ideals toward a revival of orthodox Vaishnava bhakti paralleled Keshab Chandra Sen`s own path. This action also acted as a force helping the rise of nationalism and the emergence of another socio-religious movement that combined defence of Hinduism, social service, and a restructuring of ancient monasticism.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India


Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.