Mahanam Sampradaya () is a monastic organisation founded in the last decade of the 19th century within

Hinduism Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...

in the

Bengal Presidency The Bengal Presidency, officially the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal until 1937, later the Bengal Province, was the largest of all three presidencies of British India during Company rule in India, Company rule and later a Provinces o ...

of colonial

British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance in South Asia. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one form or another ...

and spiritually inspired by

Prabhu Jagadbandhu Prabhu Jagadbandhu was an Indian religious leader from Bengal. He spent much of his life meditating and preaching at the Sri Angan ashram in modern India and Bangladesh. His teachings inspired the founding of a Krishnaite Hindu revival movem ...

. pp.140–141. As the tradition-

sampradaya ''Sampradaya'' (/ səmpɾəd̪ɑjə/,; ), in Indian-origin religions, namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, can be translated as 'tradition', 'spiritual lineage', 'sect', or 'religious system'. To ensure continuity and transmissi ...

is also known as a Krishnaite institution and it was formed in the early 20th century by Sripad Mahendraji. Presently followers of Mahanam Sampradaya are centered in both India and Bangladesh.

Radha Krishna Radha-Krishna (IAST , ) is the combined form of the Hindu god Krishna with his chief consort and ''shakti'' Radha. They are regarded as the feminine as well as the masculine realities of God and gender in Hinduism, God, in several Krishnaism, Kr ...

Gaur The gaur (''Bos gaurus''; ) is a large bovine native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, and has been listed as Vulnerable species, Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986. The global population was estimated at a maximum of 21,000 ...

Nitai and

are the chief deities worshiped by the Mahanam Sampradaya.

History of formation

Arrival of new incarnation

Formation of Mahanam Sampradaya started with the advent of

(1871 – 1921) — a mystic and author of

Kirtan Sikh ''kirta''n with Indian harmoniums and '' Kenya.html" ;"title="tabla'' drums (a common and popular pairing), in Kenya">tabla'' drums (a common and popular pairing), in Kenya (1960s) ''Kirtana'' (; ), also rendered as ''Kiirtan'', ''Kirt ...

songs—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 an

Avatar Avatar (, ; ) is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means . It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearance" is sometimes u ...

Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (; ), born Vishvambhara Mishra () (18 February 1486 – 14 June 1534), was an Indian Hindus, Hindu saint from Bengal and the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mode of worshipping Krishna with bha ...

and

Nityananda Nityananda (, ; c. 1474-c. 1540), also called Nityananda Prabhu and Nitai, was a primary religious figure within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Bengal. Nityananda was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's friend and disciple. Chaitanya and Nityananda are ...

. At the first time, in 1891 Annada Charan Datta—the leader of Hari Sabha, a circle of devotees at Hooghly—was reported to have had a vision that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was reincarnate in the form of Prabhu Jagadbandhu. Prabhu Jagadbandu was a great Hindu saint and yogi from

Gaudiya Vaishnavism Gaudiya Vaishnavism (), also known as Chaitanya Vaishnavism, is a Vaishnavism, Vaishnava Hindu denominations, Hindu religious movement inspired by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534) in India. "Gaudiya" refers to the Gaura or Gauḍa region o ...

. He said

Preaching of Vaishnavism by Prabhu Jagadbandhu and Mahagambhira Lila

preached

Krishnaism Krishnaism is a term used in scholarly circles to describe large group of independent Hinduism, Hindu traditions—sampradayas related to Vaishnavism—that center on the devotion to Krishna as ''Svayam Bhagavan'', ''Ishvara'', ''Para Brahman'' ...

and

Vaishnavism Vaishnavism () ), also called Vishnuism, is one of the major Hindu denominations, Hindu traditions, that considers Vishnu as the sole Para Brahman, supreme being leading all other Hindu deities, that is, ''Mahavishnu''. It is one of the majo ...

for 30 years. He asked people to chant the holy name of God (

and

Gour Gour may refer to: * Gour Brahmins, an Indian caste of Brahmins or landlords * Gour, an Indian caste of Muslims * Hari Singh Gour (1870-1949), Indian lawyer, educator, and writer * Joseph-Omer Gour (1893-1959), Canadian politician * Rimstone, a ...

Nitai), to develop Love for God. He urged everyone to love all people irrespective of

caste A caste is a Essentialism, fixed social group into which an individual is born within a particular system of social stratification: a caste system. Within such a system, individuals are expected to marry exclusively within the same caste (en ...

and creed. This time period is referred to as the 'Maha Gambhira Lila' (in contrast to

's Gambhira Lila).

Leadership of Sripad Mahendraji and formation of Mahanam Sampradaya

Sripad Mahendraji renounced the world at an early age of 20 years. He went to

Vrindavan Vrindavan (; ), also spelt Vrindaban and Brindaban, is a historical city in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located in the Braj, Braj Bhoomi region and holds religious importance for Hindus who believe that Krishna, one of ...

in search of

Lord Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is wi ...

. later, he went to Sri Angan where

was at that time, in the small cottage. Sripad Mahendraji decided to settle in Sri Angan and lead the life of an ashramite Brahmachari i.e. Living in a

Ashram An ashram (, ) is a spiritual hermitage or a monastery in Indian religions, not including Buddhism. Etymology The Sanskrit noun is a thematic nominal derivative from the root 'toil' (< Brahmacarya ''Brahmacharya'' (; Sanskrit: Devanagari: ब्रह्मचर्य) is the concept within Indian religions that literally means "conduct consistent with Brahman" or "on the path of Brahman". Brahmacharya, a discipline of controlling ...

. After few years,

Prabhu jagadbandhu Prabhu Jagadbandhu was an Indian religious leader from Bengal. He spent much of his life meditating and preaching at the Sri Angan ashram in modern India and Bangladesh. His teachings inspired the founding of a Krishnaite Hindu revival movem ...

employed Sripad Mahendraji with a mission. Prabhu Jagadbandu asked Sripad Mahendraji to organise a band of selfless brahmacharies i.e. those who follow

Brahmacarya ''Brahmacharya'' (; Sanskrit: Devanagari: ब्रह्मचर्य) is the concept within Indian religions that literally means "conduct consistent with Brahman" or "on the path of Brahman". Brahmacharya, a discipline of controlling ...

. 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 50 Sannyasins was assembled, who together founded the Mahanam Sampradaya under the leadership of Sripad Mahendraji. Later Sripad Mahendraji made his disciple Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji, the head of Mahanam Sampradaya.

Mahanam Sampradaya under Mahanambrata Brahmachari

After the formation of Mahanam Sampradaya, Sripad Mahendraji received letter of invitation for the 2nd parliament of world religion (or more commonly the world fellowship of faiths) in the year 1933. Sripad Mahendraji sent Mahanambrata Brahmachari, a scholarly leader of Mahanam Sampradaya, as a deligate to

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

, U.S.A. to attend the conference. After returning from Chicago and after the death of Sripad Mahendraji, Mahanambrata Brahmachari was 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

Mahanambrata Brahmachari the Head of Mahanam Sampradaya in India and the Head of Mahanam Sampradaya in Bangladesh allowed Nabanibandhu Brahmachari, Upasakbandhu Brahmachari, Kantibandhu Brahmachari and many more brahmacharies to carry forward the guru parampara and the spiritual lineage and allowed them to give mantra diksha to initiate as many devotees. By the time Mahanambrata Brahmachari died in 1999, Bangladesh attained its liberation. So, in 1999, Nabanibandhu Brahmachari became the Head of Mahanam Sampradaya in India and the Head of Mahanam Sampradaya in Bangladesh. When Nabanibandhu Brahmachari died, Upasakbandhu Brahmachari became the Head of Mahanam Sampradaya in India and 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 the Mahanam Sampradaya in Bangladesh respectively.

Philosophy and Ideology of Mahanam Sampradaya

Mahanam Sampradaya is a new Krishnaite Vaishava denomination. It believes in attaining the five principals of Mansatvya or Humanity namely- 1. Achourya lso called Asteya( Not to steal) 2.

Ahimsa (, IAST: , ) is the ancient Indian principle of nonviolence which applies to actions towards all living beings. It is a key virtue in Indian religions like Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. (also spelled Ahinsa) is one of the cardinal vi ...

(

Non-Violence Nonviolence is the personal practice of not causing harm to others under any condition. It may come from the belief that hurting people, animals and/or the environment is unnecessary to achieve an outcome and it may refer to a general philosoph ...

) 3.

Satya (Sanskrit: ; IAST: ) is a Sanskrit word that can be translated as "truth" or "essence.“ In Indian religions, it refers to a kind of virtue found across them. This virtue most commonly refers to being truthful in one's thoughts, speech and act ...

( to be truthful) 4.

Samyama ''Samyama'' (from Sanskrit संयम saṃ-yama—holding together, tying up, binding, integration) is the combined simultaneous practice of dhāraṇā (concentration), dhyāna (meditation) and samādhi (union). Description Samyama is a too ...

( Self-restraint) 5.

shaucha () literally means purity, cleanliness, and clearness. It refers to purity of mind, speech and body. is one of the of Yoga. It is discussed in many ancient Indian texts such as the Mahabharata and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It is a virtue in Hi ...

(

cleanliness Cleanliness is both the state of being clean and free from Germ (microorganism), germs, dirt, Trash (garbage), trash, or waste, and the habit of achieving and maintaining that state. Cleanliness is often achieved through cleaning. Culturally, cl ...

of both inner self and body) Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji once said the following about Mahanam Sampradaya's philosophy called Manav Dharma -

Mahanam Mahakirtan

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' Mahakirtan means 'Great

and 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 in Sri Angan but later moved to Mahendra Bandhu Angan, a prominent temple of Mahanam Sampradaya in

Ghurni Ghurni is a neighbourhood of Krishnanagar in Nadia district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the centre for the production of clay dolls, often referred to as Krishnanagar clay dolls. Geography Location Ghurni is located at on the ba ...

Krishnanagar Krishna Nagar or Krishnanagar may refer to: Places India * Krishna Nagar, Delhi ** Krishna Nagar metro station (Delhi) ** Krishna Nagar (Delhi Assembly constituency) * Krishna Nagar, Hyderabad * Krishna Nagar, Lucknow ** Krishna Nagar metro stati ...

West Bengal West Bengal (; Bengali language, Bengali: , , abbr. WB) is a States and union territories of India, state in the East India, eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabi ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. The sandalwood casket called 'Shree Samput' preserves the holy body of

. Sripad Mahendraji and Mahanambrata Brahmachari and Mahanam Sampradaya believes that

will 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 In Hinduism, ''Yajna'' or ''Yagna'' (, Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐd͡ʒɲə ) also known as Hawan, is a ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with mantras. Yajna has been a Vedas, Vedic tradition, described in a layer of Vedic literature ...

Social activities of Mahanam Sampradaya

Social activities of Mahanam Sampradaya are carried out by Mahanam Sevak Sangha, a subsidiary of Mahanam Sampradaya. Since 1981, Mahanam Sampradaya has run a charitable

dispensary A dispensary is an office in a school, hospital, industrial plant, or other organization that dispenses medications, medical supplies, and in some cases even medical and dental treatment. In a traditional dispensary set-up, a pharmacist dispense ...

(free except 1 INR for 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 of

Sagar Island Sagar Island is an island in the Ganges delta, lying on the Continental Shelf, continental shelf of Bay of Bengal about 100 km (54 nautical miles) south of Kolkata. This island forms the Sagar (community development block), Sagar CD Block ...

of 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.

Temples of Mahanam Sampradaya

Mahanam Sampradaya has dozens of temples in India and Bangladesh. Some prominent temples are listed below. There are some more temples of Mahanam Sampradaya which are not included in the above list.

References

External links

Official website
{{Bengal Renaissance Anti-caste movements Krishnaite Vaishnava denominations Hindu new religious movements Hindu organizations Hindu organisations based in Bangladesh Organisations based in Kolkata Hinduism in Kolkata Hinduism in West Bengal Hinduism in Bangladesh 1891 establishments in British India