Question

Swami Vagbhatananda denounced caste barriers and idol worship and exhorted his followers to abjure such practices. He was the founder of

• A. Sidhasramam
• B. Atma Vidya Sangham
• C. Yogakshema Sabha
• D. Arya Samaj

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Atma Vidya Sangham

• Founder of Atma Vidya Sangham (1917): Founded in Muttungal near Vadakara, Kerala, this reformative movement had the motto "Awake, remember the Lord, arise, fight against injustice." It strongly opposed social evils like caste discrimination, untouchability, idol worship, and animal sacrifice.

• He emphasized rational thinking, Vedic knowledge, and education as the primary paths toward social equality and liberation.

• He launched the journal "Abhinava Keralam" to spread social reform ideas and enlightenment across the region.

• Sidhasramam: Established by Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi at Alathur, Palakkad (focusing on Ananda Yoga and rejection of rituals).

• Yogakshema Sabha: Founded in 1908 by V. T. Bhattathiripad and other leaders to reform social practices within the Nambudiri Brahmin community.

• Arya Samaj: Founded in 1875 by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in Bombay to reform Hinduism by returning to the authority of the Vedas.