Theosophical Society

The word ‘Theosophy’ is derived from the Greek word ‘theosophia’. The meaning of theosophy is the wisdom of God. It focuses on gaining the latent knowledge and wisdom of the individual to attain enlightenment or salvation. The meaning of theosophy was based on three principles. These principles are to promote the idea of universal brotherhood, the comparative study of different religions and philosophies and discovering the natural laws that will help to understand the unexplained hidden laws of the universe. The followers of these principles are called theosophists and their community is known as theosophical society.

The seal of the Theosophical Society is designed from seven elements that represent unity. It combines various symbols drawn from various religious traditions around the world to give the message of the spiritual unity of all life. The motto of this society is very spiritual, that is “There is no religion higher than truth.”

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Origin of Theosophical Society In India

The theosophical society was founded by Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott in the year 1875 in New York. The society gained an international following. In 1879 the founder of this society Madame Blavatsky and Olcott travelled to Mumbai where They met Hari Chand Chintamani. With the help of Hari Chand Chintamani. They founded the first Indian theosophical lodge. India was a suitable place for the theosophical movement. Thus the ideology of the theosophical society gained its roots in Indian culture. This society influences Hinduism and Buddhism teachings. The headquarters of the theosophical society was established in Adyar, Chennai in India in 1882. The movement gained pace under the leadership of Annie Besant in India. She joined the society in England in 1988. Her membership is an asset of greatest value to the theosophical society. Society is appreciated for its commendable work in the field of education in India. Theosophical society roles and features of the movement In India will be remembered in Indian history for its social reformation of the society.

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Roles of Theosophical Society 

There were several social organizations working in India in the 19th century to reform Indian society such as Arya Samaj, Prathna Samaj, Brahma Samaj and theosophical society. They played an important role in the social reform of India. A lot of philosophers, thinkers are social reformers of these societies who contributed to the reforming of Indian society. Among them, the theosophical society worked for the revival of Hinduism in India. Society helped Indians to generate a feeling of nationalism. The theosophist used to respect all the religions of the world. They were against conversions. Theosophists used to believe in the transmigration of the soul. Theosophical Society was an integral part of Hinduism in India. Annie Besant believed that India has no future without Hinduism. Hinduism is the root and this root is structured in the soil of India, and turning out this root like a tree is turning out of its place. The theosophists also worked against casteism, untouchability in India. They treated every person at the same level. They usually worked for the social acceptability of all the sections. The theosophist makes efforts to provide mainstream education to everyone. To accomplish this aim Annie Besant set up several educational institutes and promoted the need to spread modern education.

Features of Theosophical Movement in India

Under the leadership of theosophists, the principles of the theosophical society turned into a Theosophical Movement in India. There are some features of the Theosophical Movement in India which are given below.

• The followers of this society believe that a special relationship can be developed between the soul of a person and meditation, prayer, revelation, etc.

• The theosophist accepted the Hindu beliefs of reincarnation, Karma (one will get the results of his/her deeds) and philosophy of the Upanishads and Samkhya, Yoga, and thoughts of Vedanta schooling.

• They believe in universal brotherhood. They do not follow any kind of discrimination based on religion, race, creed, sex, caste, and colour.

• The Society taught everyone to investigate the laws of nature which are unexplained to mankind and try to find out the powers latent in man.

• The movement aimed  to get the Hindu spiritual wisdom because they believe that Hinduism is a deep religion and their teachings is in Vedas, Puranas and other religious books

• The Theosophical Movement strengthened the faith in the ancient faiths, teachings and philosophies of Hinduism.

• The society promoted the study of Aryan philosophy and religion.

• They taught that Upnisads revealed the hidden truth.

• They respect all religions and their mode of worship.

• Society came up with a valuable contribution to the Hinduism awakening activities through literary and research activities.

• They published Hindu scriptures and translated them into different languages.

• The Society encouraged different types of reforms and framed educational schemes to work them out.

• The Theosophical Movement influenced Indian Muslim Community which result in Ahmadiya Movement and the Aligarh Movement.

Contribution of Annie Besant in Theosophical Society

In 1889 Annie Besant joined the theosophical society. She was a believer in the teachings of Vedas and Upanishads. She loved Indian soil and considered it liberating. She made India her permanent abode. She was the President of the theosophical society in India from 1907 to 1933. She was against the evil practices of the Indian Society such as child marriage, the unacceptability of widow remarriage etc. Annie Besant's remarkable step in the field of education was to start the Banaras Central School. In this school, Hindu religious subjects and other western scientific subjects were taught. Later it became the origin for the formation of Banaras Hindu University in 1916.  She promoted women education in India. South India also witnessed a wave of her efforts in several Schools and colleges being established. She was also an impactful writer. Her prime concerns were education, philosophy, and politics. She worked to attain her target by the means of the Theosophical Society. She published two journals popularly known as the “ The New India '' and the “Common Weal”. The Theosophical Movement had more appeal among the highly intelligent people and made its own mark in the nineteenth century.

Did You Know?

• The books of theosophical writers played an important role in the Theosophical Movement. The famous books of the theosophical society are The Secret of Doctrine, The Key to Theosophy, The Voice of the Silence, At the Feet of the Master, the Ancient Wisdom, The Mahatma Letters, Collected Writings, The Seven Principles of Man etc.

• After three years of the formation of the Theosophical Society in New York. The founder’s Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott left New York and came to Bombay in 1879. Then the theosophical society alliance with the Hindu reform movement of the Arya Samaj but this alliance was short-lived and later failed because both sides misunderstood the basic orientation of the other.