Rev. Dr. Selvam Robertson

Brahma Samaj Reform Movement Brahma is adjective of Brahman (god) and Samj (noun) -society. It is theistic and opposed to idolatry. Its main policy was ‘reform’. Main purpose was to found a spiritual religion on the basis of Hinduism taking sources from Christianity. Raja Ram Mohna Ray (1772-1833) He was a pioneer of all living advancements – religious, social and educational in the Hindu community.   Born in Kulin Brahmin family. The family had long been connected with the Muhammadan government of Bengal.   Family –followers of Chaitanya – Bengali Vaishnavite leader.Parents were deeply religious. He was married when quite a boy. His girl wife soon died. Father married him to two other little girls. At the age of twelve hw was sent to study at Patna- Famous seat of Muhammadan learning which was passport to government service. Ray came under the influence of Sufi school. He also had the influence of the rationalistic school of Muslim thought i.e...

MRSM INTRODUCTION Renaissance literally ‘rebirth’ a period in European civilization characterized by surge of interest   in classical learning and values. Renaissance also witnessed the discovery and exploration of new continents, the substitution of the Copernican for the Ptolemaic system of astronomy, decline of feudal system, and the growth of commerce, inventions like paper, printing, the mariner compass and gunpowder. It is primarily a time of the revival of classical learning and wisdom after a long period fo cultural decline and stagnation. The spirit of humanism was mainly behind renaissance.             East India Company was at work in India from 1600. In 1600 Queen Elizabeth I granted charter to the London based East India Company to trade with East Indies. Came only for trade British through EIC began to assert itself only with the battle of Plassey in 1757. In 1857 after the Mutiny India was ...

TAMILS, TAMIL AND ĀLVĀRS Introduction Having set a concrete background from the point of Bhakti, Vaishnavismand Saivism, Buddhism and Jainism and Historical background for the study about the response to religious pluralism in the bhakti tradition of Alvars , it is paramount to trace the influence of Tamils and Tamil in the bhakti tradition of Alvars . It is because the literary style, religious notions and even the response of Alvars to religious pluralism have their strong background in Tamil culture and literature.   To do so, it is essential to trace the antiquity of the Tamil race, originality of their language, the dynamics of Cańkam age with reference to selected literatures, which have considerable bearing on religious matters, the unique contribution of akam principle for the soul stirring hymns of the Alvars , the division of habitable land into five regions and their respective deities, the northern influence on language, religion, caste, and a gene...