Arya Samaj

Swami Dayananda (1824-1883) founded the Arya Samaj in 1875. Dayanand was born in Gujarat into a rich Brahmin family who worshipped Shiva. He was invested with Sacred Thread (Upanayanam) at the age of eight years. Three years later while keeping night at the Shiva Temple, he noticed rats eating away the Prasadams offered to God. He doubted the Deity's power and started to dislike Idol Worship. When his parents fixed his marriage, he left home, travelled widely, met holy men and widened his knowledge on religion and philosophy. He studied Vedas at Mathura. His teacher entrusted him with the duty of spreading Vedic Faith.

Swami Dayanand founded the Arya Samaj (Society of Aryans) in 1875. He claimed the Vedas to be eternal, infallible and a complete revelation of God. He accepted the Doctrine of Karma and Rebirth, but was against Idol worship, caste distinction, pilgrimages, ritual bathing and polytheism. He also condemned child marriages and segregation of women. He opposed widow-remarriage. He introduced re-conversion to Hinduism, for converted Christians. They worship Agni (Fire), recite Gayathri Japam and read Vedas. The Samaj is a democratic organization without regular priests. Members are required to practice austerity, truth and devotion to God.

Brahmo Samaj

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772- 1833) was born into a Brahmin family in Bengal and experienced the orthodox practices of Hinduism in his youth. He studied the Quran, Buddhism and the New Testament. He disliked Idol worship and hated the practice of Sati, after seeing his brother's widow burnt alive on her husband's funeral fire. He fought to abolish polytheism, idol worship, the caste system, child marriage, animal sacrifice and Sati which is the practice of a widow being burnt alive on the funeral pyre.

In 1828, Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj (Society of Brahma) in an attempt to reform Hindu religious beliefs and practices. Brahmo Samaj's hall of worship has no images, statues or pictures. Only prayers and Hymns are sung, selecting one God for concentrating their prayers. Members offered prayers as a group. This community worship was a new aspect to Hinduism. The form of worship under Brahmo Samaj system was based on the Christian school of thought as the founder was inspired by the Western ideas. The Samaj inspired progressive development in Hindu Society, religion and politics.

The indirect result of the reform movement of Ram Mohan Roy was the abolition of Sati, child marriage, untouchability, caste distinction, and established women's right to property and widow re-marriage.

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the chanting of Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Hare Rama Hare Rama as a great means of propaganda for spreading love of God. It is recommended not only for Kaliyuga, but also for all ages.

Long before Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu introduced a massive non-violent and disobedience movement. He swept aside the stifling restrictions of the hereditary caste system and made it possible for people of all ranks to achieve the highest platform of spiritual enlightenment.

Great saints and scholars detected that he was not an ordinary human being, but an incarnation of Supreme God, Lord Krishna Himself, appearing as a devotee. Chaitanya wished the experience of the love of God for all people. Hence this awakening of attaining of enlightenment by Sankeertana, the chanting of the Holy names of God- Hare Krishna Mantra.

When the local Muslim ruler rebelled, tried to suppress the Sankeertana movement and destroy Chaitanya, he started a peaceful disobedience movement and the Muslim ruler was convinced with the chanting system. Once during Hindu-Muslim riots, Chaitanya manifested his form as Sri Krishna, which made the opponents surrender. They also accepted Chaitanya's philosophy for universal religion, for all mankind, "CHANT AND BE HAPPY".

SRILA PRABHUPADA BHAKTHI VEDANTHA SWAMY

Though Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was the author of chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra, it was Prabhupada Swamy who elaborated the Mantra and had taken this Mantra to all the corners of the world. Chaitanya himself spread the transcendental teachings of Sri Krishna to the Western world and Prabhupada followed up vigourously round the world. "HARE " is the form of addressing the energy and the names Rama and Krishna are forms of addressing the Lord Himself. The three words Hare Rama, Krishna are the transcendental seeds of the Mahamantra. The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His energy to give protection to our soul.

Hare Krishna Mantra can be chanted by any man, in any social position, in any country and in any age for Krishna is The Supreme Lord of all people in all social positions, in all countries, in all ages. His Divine Grace, Prabhupada Swamy has the unique distinction for having spread the power of chanting Hare Krishna Mantra throughout the world, without encountering any enimity, opposition or persecution. It is amazing how he could convince the world's toughest audience, bohemians, acidheads, potheads, and hippies, that he knew the way to God.

The Founder Acharya of International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) , has several books to his credit .

We have compiled some of the best for you below
The Bhagavat Gita - by ISKON
Srimad Bhagavatam - by ISKON
A nectar of Devotion - by ISKON
Krishna, The Reservoir of Pleasure - by ISKON

THEOSOPHY

Theosophy is a System of philosophy and religious thought. Theosophy is based on claims of a mystic insight – that is insight into the nature of God and the laws of the Universe. The Theosophist believes that the truest knowledge comes not through reason or senses, but through a direct communication of the soul with the Divine Reality.

Madame Elena Petrona Blavatsky founded the Theosophical Society in the United States in 1875. Hindu and Buddhist thoughts and doctrines have become prominent in Theosophy, with characteristic belief in reincarnation in accordance with the Hindu doctrine of Karma.

Annie Wood Besant (1847- 1933) was an English leader in the Theosophical Movement and a prominent political figure in India. Though she participated in political field her main contribution was with the Theosophical Society. Jiddu Krishnamurty, the great Theosophist was a great propounder of the Indian Theosophy and Annie Besant was drawn to his knowledge and it was believed that she adopted him. His speeches and literary works were well acclaimed. The Indian Theosophical society is a well-established organisation in Chennai.

Stress is laid on the service due from those left on the earth to those who had passed away. The Hindu religion has the Dharma called Shraddha, by which he helps his elders souls in the passage to the other world - quickening and smoothening the passage to the Heaven.

TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION (T M)

Transcendental Meditation is a method of relaxing the mind, which became popular in many countries during 1970's. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a Hindu Monk from India, developed this form of meditation. Transcendental is the process of reaching a state of pure consciousness, where the mind is not aware of anything in particular. The contemporary spiritual leader, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi declared that people who used this technique are happier, more relaxed and creative. Followers of the Maharishi call the Transcendental meditation the "Science of Creative Intelligence".

People practice TM by sitting quietly in a comfortable position. They close their eyes and silently repeat their Mantra, a pleasant sounding word, from Hindu scriptures – a select, personal, secret mantra is used by each person which is practiced for 15-20 minutes in the morning and evening before meals.

Scientific studies show that certain bodily changes occur during meditation. The blood pressure and the rate of heartbeat also decrease. Scientists also found that alfa waves (brain waves) increase in intensity during meditation and people who practice Transcendental Medidtation feel less anxious and less aggressive.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has spread his thesis throughout the world and established universities to spread and enhance the knowledge of Vedas and Transcendental Meditation.