Benoyendranath Sen
Encyclopedia
Benoyendranath Sen (1868 – 1913) was a Brahmo
activist in Kolkata
(then Calcutta) and a New Dispensation leader in the post-Keshub Chunder Sen era of the Brahmo movement.
Sivanath Sastri
wrote (about Sen and his contemporaries), “These young leaders are trying to keep up the Brahmo name and the work of the Brahmo Samaj of India; thereby strengthening the hope, expressed before, of their counteracting the narrowing influence of Keshub Chunder Sen’s close adherents.
. Sen topped his class throughout his academic career. He mastered the intricacies of Western philosophy. After his graduation with honours in English and philosophy from the General Assembly’s Institution (now Scottish Church College) in 1888, he did his Master of Arts in history and philosophy from Calcutta University
.
for a short period before joining Presidency College
in 1893. His lectures outside the college premises drew in large number of listeners.
and Krishnabihari Sen. In 1897, he and Mohit Chandra Sen opened a students’ hostel named ‘Fraternal Home’ at 92 Harrison Road (renamed Mahatma Gandhi Road). In 1898, when plague struck Kolkata, the residents of ‘Fraternal Home’ participated in the relief activities. Many persons attended his classes on Bhagavad Gita
held at Albert Hall. He took the lead to act parts of it and enlivened the entire environment.
Many persons attended his prayer-meeings. Among them was Brajendra Nath Seal
. He was elected president of “Youngmen & Interpretation” and “Theistic Endeavour Society”. He represented Brahmo Samaj in the World Conference of Liberal Religions, organised by Unitarians
at Geneva
in 1905 and was felicitated by the Unitarians. At the conference his paper dealt with the problem of religion in modern India. While arguing the need for more theology, he warned against ‘dry rationalism’ that would stifle the spiritual impulse.
He organised a school for the moral education of Brahmo children. It was looked after mostly by his wife, Shakuntala Devi. He was associated with numerous educational and welfare activities of the Brahmo Samaj. Sen was actively involved in the functioning of Victoria Institution. He presided over the Indian Theistic Conference held at Lahore
in 1909.
for many years, and was inspector of colleges. He was secretary of Calcutta University Institute.
Upadhyay Gour Govinda Ray
used to say, “Benoyendranath is a rose in bloom.” At the time of Titanic disaster in 1912, Sen presided over a memorial service. His prayer service evoked the tragic dimension of the disaster and touched all present.
He died at a comparatively young age after being ill for some time.
Brahmo
A Brahmo is either an adherent of Brahmoism to the exclusion of all other religions, or a person with at least one Brahmo parent or guardian and who has never denied his faith...
activist in Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
(then Calcutta) and a New Dispensation leader in the post-Keshub Chunder Sen era of the Brahmo movement.
Sivanath Sastri
Sivanath Sastri
Sivanath Sastri was a scholar, religious reformer, educator, writer and historian...
wrote (about Sen and his contemporaries), “These young leaders are trying to keep up the Brahmo name and the work of the Brahmo Samaj of India; thereby strengthening the hope, expressed before, of their counteracting the narrowing influence of Keshub Chunder Sen’s close adherents.
Formative years
The son of Madhusudan Sen, and nephew (sister's son) of Keshub Chunder Sen, he was born on 25 September 1868 at Kolkata. Sen received Western education, supported by his father, who had been initiated into the Brahmo Samaj by Debendranath TagoreDebendranath Tagore
Debendranath Tagore was one of the founders in 1848 of the Brahmo Religion which today is synonymous with Brahmoism the youngest religion of India and Bangladesh....
. Sen topped his class throughout his academic career. He mastered the intricacies of Western philosophy. After his graduation with honours in English and philosophy from the General Assembly’s Institution (now Scottish Church College) in 1888, he did his Master of Arts in history and philosophy from Calcutta University
University of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
.
Career
He started working in Baharampur College and worked in Tej Narayan Jubilee College at BhagalpurBhagalpur
Bhagdattpuram was one of the most influential towns in "Aryavarta" . It is supposed to have been concurrent to Patliputra or Patna. Bhagdattpuram finds its mention in the Vedas and Ramayana as well. It is supposed to be the kingdom of Daanvir Karna, the son of Kunti and the Sun God...
for a short period before joining Presidency College
Presidency College, Kolkata
Presidency University, Kolkata, formerly Hindu College and Presidency College, is a unitary, state aided university, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. and one of the premier institutes of learning of liberal arts and sciences in India. In 2002 it was ranked number one by the weekly news magazine...
in 1893. His lectures outside the college premises drew in large number of listeners.
Brahmo Samaj
Inspired by Keshub Chunder Sen from a young age, he undertook all work for the Brahmo Samaj, along with Pramathalal Sen and Mohit Chandra Sen, under the guidance of Protap Chunder MozoomdarProtap Chunder Mozoomdar
Protap Chunder Mozoomdar was a member of the Hindu reform movement the Brahmo Samaj, and a close associate of Keshub Chandra Sen. He is best known for his research into the "oriental" aspects of the teachings of Jesus....
and Krishnabihari Sen. In 1897, he and Mohit Chandra Sen opened a students’ hostel named ‘Fraternal Home’ at 92 Harrison Road (renamed Mahatma Gandhi Road). In 1898, when plague struck Kolkata, the residents of ‘Fraternal Home’ participated in the relief activities. Many persons attended his classes on Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita
The ' , also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that constitute general Vedic tradition...
held at Albert Hall. He took the lead to act parts of it and enlivened the entire environment.
Many persons attended his prayer-meeings. Among them was Brajendra Nath Seal
Brajendra Nath Seal
Sir Brajendra Nath Seal KCIE was a renowned Bengali Indian humanist philosopher. He was one of the greatest original thinkers of the Brahmo Samaj and did work in comparative religion and on the philosophy of science. He systematized the humanism of the Brahmo philosophical thought...
. He was elected president of “Youngmen & Interpretation” and “Theistic Endeavour Society”. He represented Brahmo Samaj in the World Conference of Liberal Religions, organised by Unitarians
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
at Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
in 1905 and was felicitated by the Unitarians. At the conference his paper dealt with the problem of religion in modern India. While arguing the need for more theology, he warned against ‘dry rationalism’ that would stifle the spiritual impulse.
He organised a school for the moral education of Brahmo children. It was looked after mostly by his wife, Shakuntala Devi. He was associated with numerous educational and welfare activities of the Brahmo Samaj. Sen was actively involved in the functioning of Victoria Institution. He presided over the Indian Theistic Conference held at Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
in 1909.
Other activities
Sen was a member of Calcutta UniversityUniversity of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
for many years, and was inspector of colleges. He was secretary of Calcutta University Institute.
Upadhyay Gour Govinda Ray
Gour Govinda Ray
Gour Govinda Ray, Upadhyay, was a notable scholar on Hinduism and a Brahmo missionary. He had edited for forty years Dhamatattva, an official publication of the Brahmo Samaj and assisted Keshub Chunder Sen in the compilation of Slokasangraha, a collection of quotes from different religious...
used to say, “Benoyendranath is a rose in bloom.” At the time of Titanic disaster in 1912, Sen presided over a memorial service. His prayer service evoked the tragic dimension of the disaster and touched all present.
He died at a comparatively young age after being ill for some time.