Mahanam Sampraday
Mahanam Sampraday is a Sampradaya or a tradition or religious lineage founded by Sripad Mahendraji .[1] Mahanam Sampraday was formed between late 19th century and early 20th century in Bengal Presidency/province of colonial British India.Presently followers of Mahanam Sampraday are centered in West Bengal, India and throughout Bangladesh. Radha Krishna, Gour Nitai and Prabhu Jagadbandu are the chief deities worshiped by the Mahanam Sampraday.
মহানাম সম্প্রদায় | |
 Worship taking place in a prominent temple of Mahanam Sampraday | |
| Formation | between late 19th century and early 20th century |
|---|---|
| Founder | Sripad Mahendraji |
| Type | Religious cult |
| Headquarters | Mahaudharon Math, Maniktala, Kolkata, India Sreedham Sreeangan, Faridpur, Bangladesh |
Previous head | Mahanambrata Brahmachariji |
Current head (India) | Upashak Bandhu Bhramachariji |
Current head (Bangladesh) | Kanti Bandhu Bhramachariji. |
Followers | More than 1 million |
| Website | mahanam |
History of formation
Arrival of new incarnation
Formation of Mahanam Sampraday started with the advent of Prabhu Jagadbandhu , whom Mahanam Sampraday ( and many others ) believe as a reincarnation of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Ram[2] on 28 April 1871.
Prabhu Jagadbandu was a great Hindu Saint. He said[3]
Show kindness and compassion and do well to all creatures. Make a free gift of religion to all. Initiation in the hallowed name of Hari is the sure means of attaining salvation (i.e; deliverance from all agonies and sufferings). This is the secret of salvation. This is the secret of eternal good done to others
Preaching of religion by Prabhu Jagadbandhu and Mahagambhira Lila :-
Prabhu Jagadbandhu preached Vaishavite Hinduism for 30 years. He asked people to chant the holy name of God ( Radha Krishna or Gour Nitai ), to develop love for God or prem. He urged everyone to love all creatures irrespective of caste or creed.
Later in 1902 Prabhu Jagadbandu closed him in a small cottage and stayed there for 17 years. This time period is referred to as the 'Maha Gambhira Lila'. ( in contrast to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Gambhira Lila.)
Arrival of Sripad Mahendraji :-
Sripad Mahendraji renounced the world at an early age of 20 years. He went to Vrindavan in search of lord Krishna. later, he went to Sri Angan, Faridpur, Bangladesh where Prabhu Jagadbandhu was at that time, in the small cottage.
Sripad Mahendraji decided to settle in Sri Angan and lead the life of an aashramite Brahmachari i.e. Living in a ashram and follow Brahmacarya .
Formation of Mahanam Sampraday and after:-
After few years, Prabhu jagadbandhu employed Sripad Mahendraji with a mission. Prabhu Jagadbandu asked Sripad Mahendraji to organise a band of selfless Brahmacharies i.e. those who follow Brahmacarya. He asked Sripad Mahendraji to go with the band of Brahmacharies from place to place and preach the 'Mahanam'.
Accordingly, a band of about 50 sannyasins was assembled, who together founded the Mahanam Sampraday under the leadership of Sripad Mahendraji.[4]
Later Sripad Mahendraji made his disciple Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji , the head of Mahanam Sampraday.
Mahanam Sampraday under Dr. Mahanambrataji.
After the formation of Mahanam Sampraday, 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.[4]
Sripad Mahendra ji sent Mahanambrata brahmachariji as a deligate to Chicago to attend the conference.
After returning from Chicago and after the death of Sripad Mahendraji, Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji was made the head of Mahanam Sampraday.
Under Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji's guidance Mahanam Sampraday developed further.Under Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji's guidance '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 Sampraday in present
Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji allowed Srimat Nabanibandhu Brahmachari and Srimat Upasakbandhu Brahmachari to carry forward the guru parampara or spiritual lineage or. allowed them to give mantra diksha or initiate devotees.
By the time Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji left the world in 1999,[5] Bangladesh attained its liberation.
So, in 1999, Srimat Nabanibandhu Brahmachari became the head of Mahanam Sampraday in Bangladesh and Srimat Upasakbandhu Brahmachari became the head of Mahanam Sampraday in India.
When Srimat Nabanibandhu Brahmachari left the world Srimat Kantibandhu Brahmachari became the head of Mahanam Sampraday in Bangladesh.
Therefore, Srimat Upasakbandhu Brahmachari Srimat Kantibandhu Brahmachari are the head of Mahanam Sampraday in India and Bangladesh respectively.[6]
Philosophy/Ideology of Mahanam Sampraday
Mahanam Sampraday is a neo Vaishavite religious cult. It believes in attaining the five principals of Mansatvya or Humanity namely-[4]
1.Achourya [also called Asteya].(Not to steal)
2.Ahimsa. (Non- Violence)
3.Satya ( to be truthful)
4. Samyama ( Self - restraint)
5.shaucha ( cleanliness of both inner self and body )
Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji once said the following about Mahanam Sampraday's philosophy called Manav Dharma -[7]
The perfection of human life is in the attainment of humanity. In order to gain humanity, one has to achieve five Qualities. Ahimsa(Non-Violence), Samyama(Self-restraint), Shaucha(cleanliness), Achourya( non- thiefness), and Satya(truth). Do not envy anyone. Do not steal anyone's goods. Body and mind, Keep them holy. Always be self - restrained in moral character. Don't let untruth touch(influence) your deeds and words . As a human being, we have just one Dharma ie. Attaining Manushatvya (Humanity). This same thing has been told by Prabhu Jagadbandhu in the form of a Sutra - " Ei Marma Ei Dharma" I advice all to become human beings after attaining Manushatvya (humanity) and also help others to become human. This is the best service to the people.
Mahanam Mahakirtan
According to Mahanam Sampraday, Mahanam Mahakirtan is a key aspect of their religious practice/cult. Mahanam literally means 'Great name'. It generally refers to the following lines from Prabhu Jagadbandhu's book named 'Chandrapath'[8]
Hari purusha Jagadbandhu Maha Uddharana
Charihasta Chandraputra Hakitapatana
(Prabhu Prabhu Prabhu Hey) (Anantanantamaya)
— Prabhu Jagadbandhu, 'MAHANAM', Chandrapath
Mahakirtan means 'Great Kirtan or congregation chanting of holy name of lord.'
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 Mahendrababu Angan, a prominent temple of Mahanam Sampraday in Ghurni, Krishnanagar,India.The sandalwood casket called 'Shree Samput' preserves the holy body of Prabhu Jagadbandhu . Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji and Mahanam Sampraday believes that Prabhu Jagadbandhusundar will someday come out the casket after hearing the Mahanam Mahakirtan.
Mahanam Mahakirtan was started on 18 October 1921 and continuing till date.Mahanam Mahakirtan is also known as Mahanam 'Yajna'.[4]
Social Activities of Mahanam Sampraday[9]
Social Activities of Mahanam Sampraday are carried out by 'Mahanam Sevak Sangha' , a subsidiary of Mahanam Sampradaya.[10]
Since 1981, Mahanam Sampraday runs a charitable dispensary (free except 1 INR for registration of each patient)named 'Sri Sri Prabhu Jagatbandhu Sevangan'.
Free medical camps are organised every year by Mahanam Sampraday on the event of Ganga Sagar mela, an annual fair for pilgrims at Southern part of Sagar Island of West Bengal,India . Few ambulances are also operated by Mahanam Sampraday.
Mahanam Sampraday also donate free blankets for the poor and needy people in the winter months. Mahanam Sampraday runs two schools of their own and also provide free books for the needy and meritorious students.[9]
Temples of Mahanam Sampraday
Mahanam Sampraday has over dozens of temples in India and Bangladesh.Some prominent temples are listed below -[11]
| SL no. | Name of Temple | Location | Google plus code
[for Google maps] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MAHENDRA BANDHU ANGAN | GHURNI, KRISHNANAGAR, West Bengal, India | --- |
| 2 | MAHAUDDHARAN MATH | MANICKTALA, KOLKATA, West Bengal, India | H9JM+RH |
| 3 | MAHANAM ANGAN | RAGHUNATHPUR, KOLKATA | JC9J+9G |
| 4 | SRI SRI BANDHU KUNJ | VRINDAVAN, Uttar Pradesh, India | HPM3+94 |
| 5 | SRI SRI PRABHU JAGATBANDHU ASHRAM | PURI,Odisha, India | QRV7+7W |
| 6 | HARISABHA MANDIR | NABADWIP, West Bengal, India | C969+C7 |
| 7 | MAHANAM MATH | NABADWIP, West Bengal, India | --- |
| 8 | SRI SRI RADHAMADHAB - PRABHU JAGATBANDHU ASHRAM | SILIGURI,West Bengal,India | PC6X+4C |
| 9 | SRI SRI MAHANAM ANGAN | BANAMALIPUR, AGARTALA | R8VW+F7 |
| 10 |
SRI SRI JAGADBANDHU ASRAM |
SUBHASHGRAM,West Bengal,India | CCCV+QG |
| 11 |
SRI SRI DAHAPARA DHAM |
MURSHIDABAD,West Bengal,India | 57V3+5F |
| 12 | SRIDHAM SREE ANGAN | FARIDPUR, Bangladesh | JP7W+73 |
| 13 | PRABHU JAGADBANDHU ASHRAM | BAKCHAR, BANGLADESH | |
| 14 | PRABHU JAGADBANDHU ASHRAM | BRAHMANKANDA, BANGLADESH | --- |
There are some more temples of Mahanam Sampraday which are not included in the above list.
External links
References
- Mahanambrata Brahmachari. Mahendra Leelalamrita. Kolkata. p. 26.
- "mahanam.org". mahanam.org. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
- Collection by, Brahmachari Parimalbadhu Das. Bandhu Ved Bani[Veda quotes of Bandhu]. Kolkata,Sri Mahanambrata cultural and welfare trust. p. 1.
- "Mahanam Sampraday".
- "The New York Times". 1 November 1999.
- "Present Spiritual head of Mahanam Sampraday".
- Bio sketch of Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji by, Mahanam Sampraday (2008). Rekhay lekhay Mahanambrata [Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachariji in text and sketch]. Kolkata: Sree Mahanambrata Cultural and Welfare Trust. p. 33.
- Prabhu, Jagadbandhu (1951). Chandrapath. Mahanam Cultural and Welfare Trust. p. 3.
- "Social Activities of Mahanam Sampraday".
- "History of Mahanam Sevak Sangha".
- "List of ashrams of Mahanam Sampraday". 21 October 2020.