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Leonard Theological College, Subject: Major Religious and Secular Movements, Topic: Parajapita Brahma Kumaris, Submitted to: Dr. Pranaybin Sir, Submitted by: Divy Paul, Date of Presentation: 08/02/2022, 1. Introduction: India is mix up of many religions and movement ancients’ time, but in every movement and religions mostly women are not enjoying equality, they were treated as lower to men in the movement and in religious. In this we will deal with one of the Hindu-oriented movement called Prajapita Brahma Kumari which is run and usually for the betterment of women. In this we will see the life of the founder, the growth of the development of the movement, aims and objectives, administration set up and the teaching of this movement., 2. Prajapita Brahma Kumari: A Hindu-oriented movement composed in the main of unmarried women and founded in Hyderabad in 1937 by the one-time Sind diamond merchant, Dada Lekhraj. Women are clearly the spiritual and moral leaders in this movement, in which the traditional role of wives and husbands has been reversed., Through the practice of celibacy and yoga, souls can attain unity with the founder, Shiv Baba as he came to be known, and a right of entry to the golden age. In the late 1960s the movement, with headquarters in Mount Abu, India, began to acquire a following in the West., 3. The Founder and the Foundation of the Brahma Kumari Movement: The movement was founded in 1937 in Karachi by Lekhraj who was born in 1876. He grew up in a devout Hindu environment which placed heavy emphasis on the Bhakti. Lekhraj was a diamond merchant and attempted to live in accordance with the praxis of the ashramas. Through his business he come contact with women. It is a conceivable that this contact may have fostered more than ordinary insight into the situation of women. In such a context Dada Lekhraj had spiritual experiences and a serious concern for the well-being of women. In 1937, he laid the foundations of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Movement. He himself was the inspiring force in the background, called Brahma or the comforting Brahma Baba by the adherents. It was striking that he surrendered the leadership within his organization emphatically to women. Women are still the main leaders in the movement., 3.1. Growth of the Movement: The growth of the Movement can be divided into two periods as follows:, i) Movement in Early Years (1937-1951): When LekhRaj wanted to withdraw from his life in 1937 so that he could devote himself to the spiritual life, he had a radical religious experience. He had the feeling that he had come into contact with the Supreme Soul or God; at the same time he experienced himself in this encounter as an eternal soul and the connectedness of that soul with the Supreme Soul. In this event he acquired insight into himself and into the true nature of reality. After Dada Lekhraj’s personal experience with the God Shiva he was used as a medium to reveal the mysteries of the self and the world order. These experiences brought about a tremendous change in him to whom the God Shiva gave the name ‘Prajapita Brahma.’ Dada Lekhraj now started a regular satsang (fellowship) in Hyderabad Sindh in Jashoda Niwas in the year 1937. It was in the nature of a family satsang but many people began to flock there as they experienced God and felt inspired. This satsang slowly came to be known as ‘OM Mandli.’ Men, women and children attended this satsang. Among these devotees was a teenage girl (virgin), OM Radhe, the most promising of all. She later rose to become the spiritual mother and came to be known as Jagadamba Sarasvati because of her divine intellect and her excellence in godly knowledge. Dada Lekhraj opened the Om High School with residential facilities, and through it many boys and girls took a keen interest in Raja Yoga teaching. The knowledge that Lekhraj received is written down in the so-called Murli., From the very beginning the movement met savage hostility from the society. The Anti Om Mandhli was formed in 21st June 1938, to destroy the Brahma Kumari’s Movement, making use of the media to destroy this movement. This Anti Om Mandhli was formed by rich business community and they hired some ruffians to do away with Dada Lekhraj. An angry misguided mob set his house on fire on 21st June 1938. Due to this the followers of this movement shifted to Karachi in Radha Palace and start Om Mandhli institutions., India gained independence in 1947 and many people left Pakistan and came to India as a result of partition. After the division this programme continued for three years. Muslims were not against the movement and they never tried to damage this Institution. However, some people in India requested the Institution to transfer the head office to India and in accordance with their request the Institution was shifted to India in 1951., b) Expansion of the Movement in later years (1951-present): The headquarters was established in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, and it remains there till today. The reason why he chooses this place is that 5000 years before, Brahma, the first deity, had observed penance there along with the first goddess Sarasvati. All the 157 respondents were of the opinion that Dada Lekhraj selected Mt. Abu because God Shiva wanted him to do so., The Institution has survived all storms because as the adherents believe, it was not created by a human being, nor did it exist for any human ends. In spite of the shortage of money, the bond of faith between the children and the father was never broken. For the first 14 years, the inmates of the Institution devoted themselves mainly to the in-depth study of godly knowledge and the practice of intense meditation, introspection and self-transformation. After they advanced towards the path of self-realization and accumulated the power of silence through the practice of Raja Yoga, they set out to give the message of Raja Yoga and godly knowledge to their fellow beings., 4. Aims and Objects of the Movement, 1. To impart moral and ethical education to the members of the society., 2. To impart spiritual, metaphysical and philosophical knowledge of the Creator and His creation., 3. To establish universal peace through the inspiration of spiritual knowledge., 4. To teach easy Raja Yoga so that an individual can forge his/her direct link with God., 5. To educate people to foster their consciousness and the universal brotherhood/sisterhood so as to develop a broader outlook., 6. To educate people so as to remove superstition, blind faith, meaning less rituals and ignorance in the sphere of religion., 5. Administrative set up: In October 1937 Dada Lekhraj formed a managing committee of eight young women. OM Radha, the eldest daughter of the founder, was appointed as the first chief Administrative Head of the Movement. The soundness of his decision is choosing women and young girls as administrators and spiritual teachers can be seen in the increasing need for the more traditionally feminine qualities of patience, tolerance, kindness and love as core values which are necessary for personal growth, human relations, and caring committees. After her death, Dadi Prakash Mani was appointed as the chief Administrative Head in 1969., 6. Teaching of the Movement:, i) Concept of God: The Movement taught that God is the Supreme Father, Benefactor, Creator. God is Shiva and is not subject to birth and death, He speak through Dada Lekhraj. God, according to the Movement, is infinite and unlimited. He has the same form as the human souls. The only difference is in the qualities, not in size. He is not love but the source of love. He is not truth but the source of truth. He is a conscious being. He is all knowing. He is absolutely Just God. God is seen as one of the souls, even though he is the ‘supreme soul' or the ‘all-highest soul.’ He therefore has all knowledge and is in that sense omniscient, although he is not omnipresent. Different names are given to God: Father, Shiva, sometimes also in combination ‘God Father Shiva,’ Brahma, Baba, ‘ocean of bliss,’ ‘ocean of love,’ ‘ocean of virtues,’ liberator and redeemer, guide and liberator., The God Shiva is the Creator of Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar. He is formless Shiva. He is the Father of all souls. He is the tower of spiritual light. He is omnipotent but not omnipresent. The God Shiva is not to be confused with the figure of Hindu mythology. The Sanskrit word 'Shiva' describes His eternal attributes and functions. It means benefactor Father, the seed of creation and point source, and implies that there can be no other creator above Him., The movement gives a more specific content to the ‘Creator Aspects’ and ‘Destroyer Aspect.’ The meaning of the ‘creator aspect’ means that God, whenever humanity is at a low point, will come into the world, awaken humanity and thus restore primal harmony; such an act of creation will preferably occur via a messenger, whereby one can think of someone like Lekhraj. The ‘destroyer aspect’ is expressed in the fact that evil and negativity will be eliminated, particularly by the meditative activities of those who walk along the way., ii) Concept of the World: Dada Lekhraj and the movement taught that the world is eternal, and that it passes through changes. God, Shiva is the Creator of this universe. This is called the gross world, the corporeal world. The dissolution of this world never takes place and God brings about its transformation after 5000 years., Beyond this world of angels is another world which is called Paramdham, Parloka or Brhamloka. This is called the supreme dwelling of the Supreme Soul. From Paramdham the souls come down to this earth and take bodies according to their karmas., According to the movement, the whole world never gets transformed into what is called primordial matter or atomic state of matter, nor does this karma kshetra (earth plane) ever become totally devoid of human beings. Rather, just as a New Year or cycle comprising four seasons begins immediately when the old cycle of seasons has ended, the world also will continue. There is neither birth nor death in Paramdham or the highest world. There is a peace and peace alone. Hence it is called Muktidham., iii) Concept of Yuga (Age): Hindus originally believed that the world cycle comprises of four ages, namely the golden age, the silver age, the copper age and the iron age. They have different opinions about the lengths of these ages. In general it is believed that they are of 4000, 3000, 2000, and 1000 years respectively. However the movement has a different view. Each age, according to them, comprises 1250 years., i. Satya Yuga or Golden Age : Satya Yuga is the age of justice, peace and love. In Satya Yuga all the inhabitants are holy and pure in mind. They belong to the dynasty of Lakshmi and Narayan and this is called heaven. This dynasty of Lakshmi and Narayan lasts eight generations. Shiva Baba does not dwell in heaven or Satya Yuga (golden age) eternally. He comes and makes the residents of hell as the residents of heaven. From the beginning, there will be only 900,000 inhabitants in heaven or in the Golden Age., ii. Treta Yuga or Silver Age : This age lasts 13 generations. It is known as the Moon Dynasty and it lasts 1250 years. In the relationship amongst souls there is pure love, but as the population increases, the kingdom also expands. Treta Yuga starts with the peaceful and prosperous reign of Shri Sita and Shri Rama, the period of their kingship is remembered even now as ‘Ram Rajya.’, iii. Dvapara Yuga or Copper Age: In the Copper Age, the ability to perform or act truthfully will be lost. People will be affected by sex-lust, anger, greed, attachment, and in order to be rid of vices and sorrow, they will take to sacrifices, austerities, Vedas and other scriptures, worship, bhakti and yogic method. In this period comprising 1250 years, each soul undergoes 21 births., iv. Kali Yuga or Iron Age or Hell: Kali Yuga or Iron Age is the Age of Satan. Everyone is unhappy here. One’s life and relationship with others becomes devoid of real love, peace, and happiness. Life is controlled by vice. The status of women is demeaning and they are treated as objects of sexual indulgence. People become slaves to their desires and material attachment increases. Disease, premature death, accidents, poverty and mental suffering make life a veritable ‘hell.’ People become enslaved to their sense organs, but they pray to God to remove sufferings. This place and age is called hell. Hell is not a fiery pit underground; both heaven and hell are periods of history., v. Transformation of Hell into Heaven (Confluence Age): This is the age of confluence. This means the meeting of souls and God, and the meeting of the old world and the new. Both the creation of the golden age (heaven) world and that of its necessary corollary, the destruction of the old Iron Age world (hell), are sparked off by the advent of the Supreme Being, the only soul whose power never diminishes and who is never born into the cycle of history. Remembering God Shiva daily will find a change and will be able to experience real happiness and peace. The soul can be purified by bathing in knowledge and not in water., iv) Concept of the Soul: According to Dada Lekhraj, souls are living or sentient beings. They are eternal and bereft of physical dimension. Dada Lekhraj and the movement taught that souls are created by the God Shiva. Souls are atoms and all human souls are equal. The human body undergoes birth and death., The soul is not distinct from the mind and the intellect. Mind is the name given to the soul’s own faculty of experiencing pleasure or pain. So the soul’s own volition, will, thoughts and experiences are named as mind and the soul’s reasoning, deliberation and knowledge is known by the name intellect. The soul which desires ill is called the sinful soul. Every soul has to be born 84 times in accordance with their karmas., v) Karma and Rebirth: Dada Lekhraj taught that the world is what it is today due to the effect of karma since every action has a deep impact upon everyone. The Brahma Kumaris Movement taught that for every action there will be an equal and opposite reaction. Whatever interaction one has with others, one receives the equivalent in return., The present-day sufferings are mainly due to ignorance regarding our real identity. Having identified with the body the human being’s basic characteristic of love has become transformed into sexual-lust attachment and greed. Salvation is not an eternal quality of the soul. If it were an inborn and eternal feature of the soul, then the soul would, like the Supreme Soul, be free from the ties of pleasure and pain and the bondage of birth and death. However, it is clear to all that the soul is subject to transmigration and to pleasure or pain. The human soul is born but as a human and not as an animal. Through yoga a human being can cross 63 births and become a member of heaven., vi) Concept of Raja Yoga: Lekhraj taught the importance of easy Raja Yoga to overcome sins. He stated that it was through practice to attain the state of Samadhi. It is related to the mind and the mind is considered as the king that rules the sense organs and the body. It enables the soul to have contact with God and to reach the highest peak of purity, peace, bliss, virtue and spiritual power., The word Raja means king of the supreme. Another reason for calling it Raja Yoga is that it relates mainly to the mind. Yet another reason is that even such a person as a king, who is very busy and has so much to do, can practice it. In this Yoga, one does not try to concentrate on any image of a diety or a guru but on one incorporeal God who is a radiant point of light. This yoga taught by God Shiva speedily reforms habits. It increases a person’s will-power, improves his/her power of concentration, gives him/her the power of intuition and makes him active and alert. This yoga meditation helps one to have knowledge of oneself, and to remove the impure tendencies and sins of previous births which cause differences in gender., vii) The Murli: Formally, the movement does not have any ‘holy book.’ Nevertheless, there is the so-called ‘Murli,’ a work that has originated since Lekhraj received his messages. It contains the words of the Highest Soul itself. These messages have been written down and are largely to be found in the Murli. The work is thus to be used for teaching and study. This material is therefore extremely important, for it provides the truth and true knowledge. The truth content of the book also has a continual effect in the experiences of the disciples: one does not accept the words in a purely intellectual way but learns in one’s own life that the knowledge is completely true. The Murli is read and studied carefully. Nevertheless, the Murli did not close with the death of Lekhraj. Messages continued to be received from the other world via one person, Dai Gulzar. The messages are becoming increasingly rarer, but they still occur. The knowledge that has been passed on also appears in the Murli., 7. Conclusion: From the study and dealings with this movement we can know that this movement is run by women till today. Although it is a Hindu-oriented movement there are different in their concept from the Hindu religion. Their main objectives are to remove blind faith, superstition and so on and also to build link with god through their practice of Raja Yoga. They also work for the betterment of the society and this movement is not only functioning in India but also in outside India.