Prarthana
Samaj - History, Principles, & Socio-Religious Reforms
The Prarthana Samaj, established in 1867 in Bombay
(Mumbai) by Dr. Atmaram Pandurang, Prarthana Samaj (meaning “Prayer Society”)
was a socio-religious reform movement founded in Bombay (Mumbai) in 1867 by Dr.
Atmaram Pandurang . It envisaged to combine spirituality with social justice
and promoted monotheism, equality, women’s education, widow remarriage, and the
abolition of untouchability and child marriage. Inspired by the Brahmo Samaj,
it rejected idolatry and ritualism, instead emphasizing simple prayer meetings
and reinterpretation of Hindu scriptures to highlight unity and dignity. Over
time, it spread to other parts of Maharashtra and even southern India through
reformers like Kandukuri Veeresalingam, leaving a strong imprint on India’s
reformist tradition.
Historical
Background of Prarthana Samaj
The Prarthana Samaj emerged at a time when Indian
society was facing rigid caste rules, gender inequality, and outdated customs.
Practices such as that of restrictions on lower castes entry in temples or
reading scriptures, along with the prevalence of child marriage and denial of
women’s rights, had taken root.
Leaders like Atmaram Pandurang and Vishnushastri
Chiplunkar believed that the essence of Hinduism lay in values of unity,
equality, and moral upliftment, not in oppressive traditions.
By starting open prayer meetings and educational
initiatives, they created a platform for reform-minded individuals to challenge
orthodoxy and advocate social change, laying the foundation for a progressive
society in modern Maharashtra.
Prarthana
Samaj Principles
Equality
and Brotherhood
The Prarthana
Samaj rejected the caste system and emphasized the spiritual equality of all
humans, citing the Vedas and Upanishads to show that the soul (atman) is
identical in every being. It promoted universal brotherhood and unity,
recognizing no distinctions of caste, gender, or religion, and sought to create
a harmonious human family.
Prayer,
Meditation, and Rational Worship
Regular collective prayers were the spiritual
foundation of the movement. Members engaged in chanting, reading sacred texts,
and meditation. It resulted in cultivating values like truth, and compassion.
The Prarthna Samaj encouraged worship of a single formless God, and rejected
idolatry, elaborate rituals, and superstition in favor of a simplified,
rational, and ethical form of devotion.
Education
and Social Upliftment
Education was
seen as one of the most powerful tools for reform. The Samaj worked to
establish schools and spread modern learning, ensuring access for women and all
castes. It believed ignorance sustained harmful customs like child marriage and
caste discrimination, and education was essential for progress and empowerment.
Open
Discussion and Reform from Within
The Samaj encouraged free, rational debate on issues
like women’s rights, untouchability, and social justice. Reformers, scholars,
and activists came together to reinterpret Hindu theology in light of equality
and morality. Instead of rejecting Hinduism, the Samaj aimed to purify it from
within, showing that true Hindu scriptures supported values of harmony,
equality, and virtue.
Moral,
Ethical, and Spiritual Basis for Reform
The movement
stressed that lasting social transformation must rest on spiritual values such
as compassion, truthfulness, and selfless service. It encouraged followers to
live lives of simplicity, honesty, and integrity, demonstrating that social
reform and ethical conduct were inseparable. By combining spiritual devotion
with social activism, the Prarthana Samaj laid down a model for reform rooted
in both faith and rationalism.
Prarthana
Samaj Four Point Social Agenda
The Prarthana Samaj had a focused social and religious
reforms agenda with four main points -
1.Removal
of Untouchability
The Prarthana Samaj was strongly opposed to the caste
system and the practice of untouchability. They argued that all humans are
equal in the eyes of God.
No one is intrinsically superior or inferior based on
birth. They cited Vedic verses that declare all atmans or souls are part of the
divine.
The Prarthana Samaj worked to remove discrimination
against lower castes. They provided financial assistance and scholarships to
students from backward communities to help them get an education.
They campaigned
publicly against untouchability and caste-based segregation. They encouraged
people from different castes to pray and interact together. Slowly this led to
changes in attitudes and practices within society.
2. Women's
Education and Improvement of Widow's Condition
The Prarthana Samaj put a lot of emphasis on women's
education and spreading female literacy.
They argued
that educated mothers would build strong social foundations and raise
knowledgeable children. They provided scholarships to help girls get access to
modern schooling.
They also worked for the improvement of widows'
conditions in Hindu society. They campaigned against harmful traditions such as
forcing widows to remain unmarried and depriving them of basic dignity. They
stressed that the remarriage of widows should be allowed and actively advocated
this change.
3.
Prohibition of Child Marriage
The Prarthana Samaj was strongly opposed to the
practice of child marriage, especially the marriage of girls below the age of
puberty.
They argued that this led to many problems like health
issues for young brides, disruption of education, and lack of maturity in
married life.
They advocated for raising the legal age of marriage
and building public awareness about the harms of child marriage.
They published
literature explaining the physical and psychological dangers of marrying off
children. Their campaign slowly started changing traditional attitudes on the
ideal age of marriage.
4.
Promotion of Basic Education Among the Masses
The Prarthana Samaj recognized mass education as an
important tool for social reform.
They believed
that lack of knowledge had allowed harmful traditions to take root in society.
They strongly
felt the need to promote basic education, especially for women and marginalized
communities.
The Prarthana Samaj established English schools and
Marathi Pathshalas to spread literacy. They also provided scholarships and
financial aid to students from underprivileged backgrounds.
Their focus was on elementary education that could
make ordinary people aware of social issues and empower them to think
rationally.