Topic: Theosophical Society (దివ్యజ్ఞాన సమాజం) - Part of SRRM

 

Topic: Theosophical Society (దివ్యజ్ఞాన సమాజం) - Part of SRRM

Context & Speaker's Notes:

• Follows lectures on Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission.

• Speaker notes that for exams like Group 2, basic facts (founder, HQ, Annie Besant's role, schools/colleges) are important. Depth like that needed for Arya/Brahmo Samaj (for Group 1 Mains) isn't required here.

• Video length is shorter, reflecting the exam demand for this topic.

Key Feature:

• Unique Origin: Unlike Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, and Ramakrishna Mission (which started in India), the Theosophical Society was founded Outside India. (Very Important Point).

Foundation:

1. Founders:

   • Madame H.P. Blavatsky (మేడం బ్లవట్స్కీ) - Russian woman.

   • Colonel H.S. Olcott (కల్నల్ ఓల్కట్ / ఆల్కట్) - American.

2. Year: 1875 (Same year as Arya Samaj).

3. Place: New York City, USA.

Meaning & Objectives:

1. Meaning:

   • Theo = God (దైవం)

   • Sophia = Wisdom/Knowledge/Study (జ్ఞానం/అధ్యయనం)

   • Literal: Divine Wisdom (దివ్య జ్ఞానం). Study of God and divine matters.

2. Objectives (3 Main Goals):

   • To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour. (విశ్వ మానవ సౌభ్రాతృత్వం / సోదర భావం).

   • To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and Science (focus on ancient religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism). (ప్రాచీన మతం అధ్యయనం).

   • To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man (related to concepts like occultism (మంత్ర తంత్రాలు), Karma (కర్మ సిద్ధాంతం), Rebirth/Reincarnation (పునర్జన్మ)).

Move to India:

• The society's ideas (ancient philosophies, karma, rebirth) resonated more in India than in the West.

• Shifted base from New York to Bombay initially.

• International Headquarters established permanently at Adyar (అడయార్), near Madras (Chennai) in 1882 (some sources, like Bipin Chandra mentioned by speaker, say 1886). (Key Place & Year).

• Colonel Olcott was the president during the move to Adyar.

Annie Besant (అనిబిసెంట్):

1. Background:

   • Irish lady. Initially an atheist (నాస్తికురాలు).

   • Became interested in spirituality/theism (ఆస్తికురాలు) influenced by Charles Bradlaugh and Madame Blavatsky's book "The Secret Doctrine" (రహస్య సిద్ధాంతం / గుప్త విద్య - dealing with hidden powers/occultism).

   • Joined the Theosophical Society in London.

2. Arrival in India: 1893 (Same year Vivekananda went to Chicago). Attended the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago.

3. Leadership: Became President of the Theosophical Society (after Olcott's death, around 1907).

4. Publications:

   • Newspapers: New India, Commonweal (discussed previously under Press).

   • Compilation of her speeches: "The Wake Up India" (ద వేక్ అప్ ఇండియా) - compiled by disciples.

5. Educational Work:

   • 1898: Founded the Central Hindu School/College at Benaras (Varanasi).

   • This institution was later (1916) handed over to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (మదన్ మోహన్ మాలవ్య) and became the nucleus for the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). (Malaviya also founded the Hindu Mahasabha in 1915).

   • Founded Besant Theosophical College (BTC) at Madanapalle (మదనపల్లి), Chittoor District, AP.

     • Principal: James H. Cousins (J.H. కజిన్స్).

     • His wife, Margaret Cousins (మార్గరెట్ కజిన్స్), set the music/tune for Rabindranath Tagore's "Jana Gana Mana" (India's National Anthem) here.

Other Presidents:

• After Annie Besant: George Arundale (అర్నాండేల్).

• After Arundale: C. Jinarajadasa (సినరాజ దాస) - First Indian President of the Theosophical Society. (Important).

Other Connections Mentioned:

• Home Rule League: Annie Besant was heavily involved (Modern Indian History topic).

• Two-Nation Theory: Hindu Mahasabha (founded by Malaviya) activities were seen by Muslims with suspicion, contributing indirectly to communal divergence.

• Poona Pact: Malaviya acted as a mediator between Gandhi and Ambedkar.

Overall Summary:

• Founded outside India (USA, 1875) by Blavatsky and Olcott.

• Moved HQ to Adyar, Madras (India) in the 1880s.

• Aimed to study ancient wisdom, investigate latent human powers, and promote universal brotherhood.

• Annie Besant joined in 1893, became its most prominent leader, contributing significantly to education (Central Hindu College -> BHU, BTC Madanapalle) and the Indian National Movement (Home Rule League).

• Played a role in reviving Indian interest in its own religious and philosophical traditions.