The Discovery of Hinduism: A Phenomenon of Social Thought of the Bengali Renaissance
https://doi.org/10.24412/2686-9675-1-2024-136-154
Abstract
The ‘discovery of Hinduism’ is described as meaningful component in social thought in the Bengal Renaissance XIX – early XXth century. Being the part of ‘discovery of India’ (J. Nehru), the phenomenon proceeded from the response of Bengal intellectuals to spiritual and intellectual challenge for Indian religious traditions from Christianity and Western culture. The phenomenon is the becoming of thought about native religion and the attempts of its description to create the image of Hinduism in comparison of other religions Christianity and Islam. The foundation for the discovery had been created by Rammohun Roy and his followers in the Brahmo Samaj. Their monotheistic image of Hinduism was addressed to coreligionists to prove its general and uniting ancient core and to equalize to other world religions. The discovery of native religion in its wholeness belongs to Neo-Hindu thinkers. Bankimchandra Chattopaddhyay, Swami Vivekananda, and Aurobindo Ghose have presented Hinduism as out- standing ‘unity in diversity’, that offers place for any worship practices as well as highest ideas on God. Being addressed both Indian and world audience, Neo-Hindu image of native religion united the positive and critical understanding to restore the dignity of his followers. The discovery of eternal values and high social norms in Hinduism served to social and cultural ‘gathering’ of India in Bengal thought.
About the Author
T. G. Skorokhodova
Penza State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Tatiana G. Skorokhodova
Penza
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Review
For citations:
Skorokhodova T.G. The Discovery of Hinduism: A Phenomenon of Social Thought of the Bengali Renaissance. Modern Oriental Studies. 2024;6(1):136-154. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24412/2686-9675-1-2024-136-154
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