Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MATUYA LITERATURE
All blogs are relating to Matuya Religion
Harichand Thakur
And
The Matuya Religion
By
Sudhir Ranjan Halder
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 1/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
PREFACE
‘Harichand Thakur and The Matuya Religion’ is the English version of
my Bengali publication with the title.
A great portion of the Matuyas forget that the Matuya religion is a non-
Vedic religion. They use to mix it with the Hindu religion. So, they consider
Harichand Thakur, the introducer of the Matuya religion, as an ‘AVATAR’ of
Bishnu in the Hindu religion. Tarak Chandra Sarkar, the composer of the
biography of Harichand Thakur, also described like that. All other Hindus are
thinking that, the Matuya religion is a branch of the Vedic Hindu religion. But I
have followed hotly, the book ShriShriHarililamrita, that the Matuya religion is
purely separated, a non-Vedic religion. So, to make known to all the Matuyas
and others this reality, I have tried to write this booklet.
After the partition of India, many of the Matuya families are living in various
states outside Bengal. The new generations of those families do not know
Bengali language. Especially, I have written this booklet for those in three
languages other than Bengali— English, Hindi and Odia.
Shri Lakshman Chandra Sarkar, Head Master, Palpara Vidyamandir High
School, and Shri Subodh Kaiya of Bardhaberia, Gopalnagar gave me valuable
suggestions in editing and correcting the manuscript of this English version. I
am very grateful to them.
August; 2015. Sudhir Ranjan Halder
Palpara, Nadia. Mob: 9433814298
e-mail: sudhirranjanhalder2@gmail.com
One
Before telling about Harichand Thakur and the Matuya Religion, it is
important to tell regarding the social, the economical and the religious situation
of undivided Bengal in the beginning of the nineteenth century. But, at first, it is
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 2/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
also necessary to tell about the ancient religion of the people of India. Here I
am trying to say few lines what we knew from the ancient history of India.
In ancient time, before the arrival of Aryans, there was a noble civilized
society in India. The people of that time used to worship of nature. There was a
religion named Sanatan Dharma and it was the prime religion of India. It was
on the basis of truth, morality and equality. There was no division by the Caste or the
Varna between man to man. No one was considered his status as higher or
lower in the society, all the men were equal. There were many wise men
appeared in time to time who were called Buddhas. As far as we know, there
were 27 Buddhas up to that time.
The Aryans had come to India about 1500- 1800 BC. After arriving they
destroyed the ancient civilization of India. They occupied the properties of the
Indian people. They introduced a Brahmnical Religion with Varna system
instead of truth, morality and equality which were in the Sanatan Dharma. At
that time their religious book, the Vedas were written and for this, it is called
the Vedic religion also. In the Varna system, there are four Varnas namely the
Brahmana, the Kshatriya, the Vaishya and the Shudra.The Brahmana is the
highest Varna in the society, then the Kshatriya, next the Vaishya and the
lowest Varna is the Shudra. The Shudras are divided into many castes (more
than six thousand), some of them were untouchables. There was no equality in
the society. The Brahmins were on the top most place of the society. It was
also decided then that the particular jobs were to be done by the particular
Varna and Caste. No one Varna or Caste could do the jobs of another Varna or
Caste. The Shudras and the Untouchables had no right to keep properties and
education. They were deprived of all human rights. So, they were to live as
non-human beings.
When the ‘Bauddha Dhamma’ was introduced by Gautam Buddha, most
of the people of India were attracted by its nobleness, uprightness, equality
and liberty. After conversion to the Buddhism many Kings of India, most of the
people were also converted to the Buddhism. After conversion to the
Buddhism, the best of all Emperors, Ashoka was preaching the Buddhism
throughout the country. As a result, monopoly of the Brahmins was ended and
returned uprightness, equality and liberty in the societies of whole country and
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 3/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 4/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
nature. They used various type of works with the valorous government service
as army etc. Buddhist Pal-Kings were also in this community.
The Namas community’s degradation had begun from the Sen’s ruling
period after the dispossession of the Palraj and possession of Bijoy Sen, it
reached in extreme position at the time of Ballal Sen, son of Bijay Sen. All
Buddhists were wiped out from Bengal with severe cruelty. Ballal Sen
announced publicly that, all the Buddhists would be either converted to the
Brahmanya religion or be killed. They, who were converted to the Brahmanism
i.e. the Hinduism, were placed in the Shudra Varna and later they were known
as the Kayastha,the Baidya,the Rajbanshi, the Mahishya, the Paundra or the
Pod, the Kaibarta, the Kapali, the Teli, the Mali, the Bhuimali etc. as per their
profession. But, the Namas community were not agreed to be converted to the
Hinduism. So, they had taken shelter in wild, rain-water and muddy areas,
where difficult to access. At present, those areas are under the districts of
Barishal, Faridpur, Dhaka, Mymensing, Jessore, Khulna etc. The rehabilated
Brahmins in Bengal, abused them as ‘Chandala’ and made them untouchable
being failed to convert them to the Hinduism. Ballal Sen had angrily settled the
name as Chandala finally and kept them as untouchable.
In course of discussion, it is true that, the Namas were never in the Shudra
Varna in the Hinduism because, in fact, they were not converted to the
Hinduism from the Bauddha religion. So, it is not a question for them to be the
Shudra.
That is why, the Namas were hated by the all communities and castes of
the society. They were not able to observe their religious rites and practices by
the fear of the administrative power. So, they were living as irreligious lives. For this
reason, they were called as ‘Patit’. After a long time, gradually they had forgotten their
original religion, the Buddhism and thought themselves as Hindu and started
to use the Vedic cultures such as Puja, Shraddhakriya etc. by the inducement
of the brahmin priests.
In the first part of the Nineteenth century, the situation of the Namas were
very woeful. They had been extorted in all respects from the Higher Varnas,
specially from the Zeminders. They were fully ignorant because they had no
right to educate themselves. They had no sufficient land properties or no any
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 5/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
business. So, their financial condition was also very miserable. They were
living in the society without any prestige as they had no any particular religion.
Their superstitious lives were unbearable for poverty, lack of education, want of
medical treatment etc. The Shudras of the Vedic religion of Bengal such as the
Teli, the Mali, the Kamar, the Kumar, the Mahishya, the Rajbanshi, the Kapali,
the Paundra etc. were almost the same condition as the Namas. Besides
these, the oppresion and extortion of the Zeminders were very merciless.
Two
Harichand Thakur was born in an agriculturist family of Safaladanga village
in the district of Faridpur in East Bengal (now Gopalganj district in Bangladesh)
on the 11th March in 1812 AD (1218 Bengali year). His family was Namas in
race, then called as `Chandala’ or `Charal’ who were untouchables to the
Hindus in those days. The Brahmin priests and the rulers of the past times
motivatedly named them Chandala and keep untouchable by a conspiracy.
During the period of Ballal Sen, this designation was finally settled to them. But
originally, there is no connection of the Namas with the Chandalas of the Hindu
Religion.
As per the Hindu’s religious books, the Manusanghita and the
Brihaddharma Purana, the Chandala is the descendants of illegal sexual union
of the Shudra male and the Brahmin female. But it is not correct, it is wholly impossible,
because, the Chandalas (with the Namas community) were many times greater
than that of the Brahmins of the Vedic religion. That was not possible to give
birth so many Chandalas, if all the brahmin women were engaged with sexual
intercourse with the Shudra males.
The father’s name of Harichand Thakur was Yashomanta (not Yasobanta)
Thakur and mother’s name was Annapurna. His original name was Haridas,
but he liked to say him as Harichand. He had four brothers namely Krishnadas,
Vaishnabdas, Gouridas and Swarupdas. Haichand was the second son of his
parents.
Some say, the former generation of Harichand Thakur were Brahmins from
Mithila in the past, but it has no evidence. They say that, one Ramdas, the
forefather of Harichand, who was a brahmin from Mithila, came to
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 6/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 7/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
Thakur, who was familiar with Mochai Thakur and at the time of Yashomanta
Thakur, the title was permanently said as Thakur.
Harichand Thakur was very restless in his boyhood. His boyfriends were
Braja, Natu, Bishwanath and others. He spent his time with them rearing the
cows as a cowboy. He played with them also. He did not like the Vaishnabas.
When the Vaishnabas were used to come to his house, his father ordered him
to take the dust and water of the Vaishnaba’s feet, but he did not agree.
Sometimes he threw the cloth-bags of the Vaishnabas in the water lurkingly.
The name of the wife of Harichand Thakur was Santibala, who is known to
us as Santimata. Her father’s house was at Jikabari village in Faridpur district,
now in Bangladesh. Her father’s name was Lochan Pramanik.
The family of Harichand Thakur lived under the zemindary of Suryamani
Majumdar. The zemindar had obtained a decree in a false case against the
thakur-family and occupied their land property with dwelling-houses. After that
event being compelled the thakurs were deserted from Safaladanga village to
Ramdiya in Faridpur district. At Ramdiya, they took shelter in Sen’s house and
next stage in the house of Bhajaram Chowdhury at neighbouring village of
Orakandi.
Harichand Thakur had no opportunity to get systemic education from any
school. In that period, the Namas were named as Chandala and were
untouchables. For that reason they had no right to get education in the
Brahmnical system. So, he could not go to school and had no bookish
education. But he had very sharp intelligence and power of good memory
which was exposed to his friends at childhood. His friends and companions
were always encircled around him. He had solved all the problems and
answered all the questions all of them.
The medical facilities of that time was not so good like to-day’s. In the
villages it was more pathetic as there were no doctors and medicines,
especially in the villages where the Patit people were living. A great number of
villagers died being affected by the waterborne diseases like diarrhoea,
cholera, chickenpox, smallpox, typhoid etc. in every year. The Ojhas were the
doctors of them. To wear amulets, to exorcise by Ojhas and to depend upon
God was only the treatment of the villagers.
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 8/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
Three
The real fight of Harichand Thakur was against the inhuman rules such as
inequality, false discrimination etc. and baseless imagination of the Vedic
religion or the Hinduism. His fight was against the self-seeking rules in the
religious books, like the Vedas, the Puranas, the Manusanghita etc. with
groundless supersitions and to establish the rationalism. He said, “I am ready
to eat the remaining food after eating by a dog, but I will not show
respect to rules of the Vedas.” At last he introduced a new religion opposing
the Vedic religion for the Patit people of the country. That religion was
established as “Matuyadharma”.
Harichand Thakur and his followers were ‘Matta’ (absorbedly engaged)
with ‘Haribol’ to do practices of virtue with abandment the Vedic conducts and
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 9/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 10/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
Similarly, daily prayer does not mean self-dedication, worship or prayer for
a desire to a god or goddess like the Hindus. Continuous practising of those,
which makes the act of living very prosperous, development of highest
humanity in all respects, are called prayer.
Self-sacrifice to God does not mean surrender to any imagined or
created God as almighty by the Hindus or others. The definition of
God in the Matuya religion is different from that of the God of the Vedic or
other religions. Haricahand Thakur said, “He, who uplifted some one, is his
God”. Uplift means to be raised in prosperous life in all respects from
downfallen state and obey the directions, visions and philosophy of that God is
self-sacrifice to God. Here Harichand Thakur had uplifted the Patits
(downfallen people), so, he is their God and to follow his idealism is self-
sacrifice to God.
Some people have propagated that, the Matuya religion is a branch of the
Hindu religion, but it is not true. It is completely a different religion. It has no
connection with the Hindu religion. The Hindu religion obeys the Vedas, so it is
the Vedic religion, but the Matuya religion disobeys the Vedas, so it is not the
Vedic or the Hindu religion. There is no any created god or goddess and their
worshipping or Puja in the Matuya religion.
The images of various gods and goddesses are seen in many houses of
the Matuyas and they are worshipping or doing puja to them by the side of
Harichand Thakur. This is not right to do in any way. Gods and goddesses
were created by the Vedic men, really it has no existence. The Matuya religion
is not a Vedic religion, so, puja of created gods or goddesses in the Hinduism
is forbidden for the Matuyas. But common Matuyas are doing those habitually
having no idea about this and by the instigation of the Hindu brahmins. The
erroneous habit of doing puja by the Matuyas are increasing day by day for
some books written by the Matuya writers concerned with the Matuya religion.
It is a matter of deep concern.
The greater portion of the Matuyas knows Harichand Thakur as an Avatar
(incarnation) of God. But it is not true. There is no such word ‘Avatar’ in any
religion in the world except the Hinduism. The Avatar is a so-called title given
by the Vedic brahmins (sages) who were originally Indians and stood for the
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 11/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
alien Aryans to support them against the original inhabitants of India and killed
them brutally for the interest of the Aryans; the title ‘Avatar’ was given to them.
Rama and Krishna were the examples of those. When the Matuya religion is a
seperate religion, then it has no cause to say Avatar to any one. Harichand
Thakur had a human body and he was highly glorious, a revolutionary, a fighter
and establisher of the Matuya religion. The Hindus called Gautam Buddha, the
introducer of the Bauddha religion, an Avatar, but Buddhists do not say so.
Four
The main specialities in the Matuya religion are truth, love, purity, equality,
friendship and honesty. To love to all, not to think anybody low or inferior,
liberty for all, equal rights and privileges for all, not to try to trace any imaginary
god, thinking of worshipping of god by the sacred task of serving to mankind or
any living being etc. are the religious practices of the Matuya religion.
The Matuya religion follows many teachings from ancient religion of India—
the Sanatan Dharma and the Bauddha Dhamma. But, it is done more simple,
easy, household, reasonable and scientific. the Matuya religion may be called
as ‘Sukshma Sanatan Dharma’ because, it has many similarity with that. That
was on the basis of truth, morality and equality. There was no division by Caste
or Varna between man to man. No one was regarded as higher or lower in the
society, all men were equal. Any one could do any work by his eligibility. The
Matuya religion was also introduced on the basis of those.
The Matuya Dharma is a new form of the Bauddha Dharma. We know it
from the holy book “ShriShriHarililamrita”, written by Tarak Chandra Sarkar.
He says—
“Buddher kamana taha paripurna janya.
Yashomanta grihe Hari haila abatirna.”
It means, Harichand Thakur was incarnated to fulfil the wishes of Buddha. Here,
Buddha means Gautam Buddha. So, we can say Harichand Thakur introduces
the non-Vedic Matuya Dharma to publicize the intention of Gautam Buddha.
With the preaching of religion, he advised to get education for all for prosperity
of the community and to get their old hereditary culture. But he could do
nothing for education for the backward communities in his short-lived existence
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 12/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
due to the situation and environment of that time. As he advised all, he also
directed his elder son Guruchand Thakur to fulfil his wishes and outstanding
works.
The backward communities (Namas, Teli, Mali, Kamar, Kumar, Mahishaya,
Jele, Malo, Kapali etc.) of undivided Bengal were enlightened and began to
convert to the Matuya religion introduced by Harichand Thakur. Even the
Kayasthas, the Baidyas, the Brahmins, the Christians, the Muslims were also
converted to this religion.
There is no Gurugiri (profession of a Guru) or act of receiving initiation from
a guru like the Hindus. The Matuyas’s have only one Guru— he is Harichand
Thakur. There is no pilgrimage or act of touring in so-called holy places for the
Matuyas. There is no any gain by unnecessary expenditure through pilgrimage
and by offering worship to any god or goddess in the temples of holy places. It
is only profitable for the brahmins priests. It is directed to do all the religious
practices of the Matuya religion, the idealism of Harichand Thakur, means—
good thinking, charitable works, public welfare, serving for public beneficial etc.
staying at their own houses. So, it may be called as a domestic religion.
Nowadays, it is seen that, some Matuya Gosains (like as a guru) are
holding a Brahmnical title as ‘Maharshi’, ‘Ananda’, ‘Goswami’, ‘Maharaj’ etc.
and initiating the Matuya religion to new persons as like gurugiri in the
Hinduism. These are not admissible in the Matuya religion. Who are doing
these, they do not know the moralities of the non-Vedic Matuya religion. They
follow the Vedic culture only for their lack of knowledge. They do not know the
doctrine of Harichand Thakur. Of course, some are doing these intentionally
with cleverness to have money, honour and immoral advantages. So, the real
Matuyas should prevent these from deception of them.
Some have written books about the ceremonial procedures of the Matuya
religion. They have written Mantra for Gurupuja, Anjali, Naibedya etc. in
Sanskrit language in their books. All these are only the act of following the
Vedic cultures. As there is no place of Guruism in the Matuya religion, similarly
there is no meaning of Sanskrit Mantras. Are the Matuyas speaking in
Sanskrit? Did Harichand Thakur speak in Sanskrit? So, why in Sanskrit
language? These are all the effects ofthe Vedic-brains of some Matuyas, who
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 13/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 14/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
of all the Varnas have no right to receive education. But in the Matuya religion,
there is no any profession which will be continuing from generation to
generation, there is equal right to all men and women to receive educaion and
to do any job as per his or her qualification.
5. The Vedic religion is established with unreasonable and unscientific
baseless thoughts. It is a religion of the Varna system and the Brahmanas are
on the top position of all and so, it is called as Brahmanya religion also. In this
doctrine, the Brahmana has taken birth from Brahma’s mouth, the Kshatriya
from arm, the Vaishya from thigh and the Shudra from leg. This Varna system
had been written in all the religious books of Hinduism, such as the Vedas, the
Brahmanas, the Puranas, the Geeta, the Bhagabat, the Ramayana, the
Mahabharata etc. Though it is of four Varnas, but there are many castes (more
than six thousand) in the Varnas. The people of one caste have no social
relation with another caste. Eating and drinking, marriage etc. are not in vogue
between the castes. A qualified, good-charactered, virtuous lower caste Hindu,
can never be equal with a brahmin. Only a brahmin by birth has right to preside
over the religious practices. Even lower castes people have no right to read
and to hear the Vedas. All should obey the Vedas, but could not read the
same! What a brahmin says, that should be obeyed! Nobody has right to know
the false or truth! If some one gets education and reads the Vadas, for this
reason, education is prohibited to the Shudras! What a terrific system!
6. In the Vedic religion women are doors to go to the hell! They have no
right to religious practices. As like the Shudras, women have no right to read
and to hear the Vedas. This inhuman system is not allowed in the Matuya
religion. Harichand Thakur says, “Bhedabhed jnan nai nari ki purush”,
means there is no discrimination in between men and women. In another topic
he says, “Karibe garhasthya dharma laye nija nari”, means do all the
religious practices with own wife.
7. There is untouchability in the Hinduism. Many lower castes and
Adibasis are untouchable to the so-called higher classes Hindus. It is sin and
to be outcasted for them to touch these people. Again they have to reclaim
status of caste by eating animal’s dung (cowdung) and giving fees and gifts to
the brahmin priest. The law-giver of the Hinduism, Manu says regarding
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 15/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
untouchables, “If a Shudra hears the verses of Vedas, close his ears with
melted iron, lead or lac, if he says, cut his tongue, if committed to
memory, cut his body into two pieces.” Parashar Sanghita says, “A
Brahmin is worshipful from his birth to all, even to gods or goddesses.
Do not kill a brahmin, if he is sinful or criminal in all respects”. There are
act of singing in praise of the Brahmins everywhere in the Hindu scriptures. An
inferior brahmin is greater than a man of good qualities Shudra. There is no
caste system in the Matuya religion, all are equal. A human being is not
hateful or worshipful by his birth, but by his works. There is no any man with
special possession as brahmin in the Matuya religion.
8. Anyone may be converted to other religions from the Hinduism, but no
can be converted to the Hinduism. This is the rule of the Hinduism. This rule
does not obey the Matuyas. Anyone from any religion may be converted to the
Matuya religion by obeying the idealism of Harichand Thakur.
There are also many differences between the Hinduism and the Matuya
religion. But the Matuyas do not know all those and do not obey. They have no
need to do religious practices by a Vedic brahmin. Guruchand Thakur, the son
of Harichand Thakur says that, he has no faith to the Vedic rules,
Tantramantra etc. He directed to the Matuyas to boycott these. No need to do
the Yajna, go to the Sannyas or the Banprastha, not to be initiated from a
brahmin Guru, not to go pilgrimage. He directed to all to perform the religious
practices with great attention living at their own houses.
To introduce the Matuya religion is a great religious revolution. It is nothing
but a religious movement against the Vedas, Brahmanas, Yajna (Jagya), caste
and classes etc. in India, the country of Brahmanism. It is a declaration of war
by Harichand Thakur against the creators of disunity. All Matuyas, men and
women are soldiers of that war with equal dignity.
The Matuya religion has a triangular flag with red colour and white border.
The red colour is the symbol for revolution and white for peace. Actually the
revolution is for living together with equal rights of all human beings. This
revolution is for removing the untouchability, inequality, superstition, inhumanity
and differences between human creatures and to set up of equality in the
society. The musical instruments of the Matuyas are the Jay Danka or Danka,
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 16/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
Kansar and Shinga. The symbol of revolution and victory is the flag of
Matuya’s hand and the sounds of Danka, Kansar and Shinga to announce the
victory in war.
Harichand Thakur had two sons and three daughters. His son’s name were
1) Guruchand Thakur and 2) Umacharan Thakur.
Harichand Thakur took up a great role to preserve the rights and dignity of
women. He always says for equal rights to men and women.
Somebody says, Harichand Thakur introduced the Matuya religion by
purification of the Vaishnaba religion introduced by Chaitanya. But it is not true.
The Vaishnabas are there, where they were in the past. Harichand Thakur was
extreme opposite to the Vaishnabas. He hated the Vaishnabas from his
boyhood. Even he did not agree to take dust of the Vaishnaba’s feet by order
of his father. The Vaishnaba religion is a branch of the Hinduism introducced
by Chaitanya. Harichand Thakur had known that it would not be possible to
rectify the Hindu religion. Because, the self-seeking Brahmins would never be
agreed to reform their religion. So, he established a new religion for the
irreligious Patit people. He says insinuating the Vaishnaba—
“Paper besati sab jholar bhitar.
Jhola fele khola haye nam karo sar.”
means— the trading of sins are in the Jhola. All should throw the Jholas
and to chant the name (Hari).
Again says—
“Kothay brahman dekho kothay Vaishnab.
Swarthabashe arthalobhi jata bhanda sab.
Tantramantra bhek jhola sab dhandhahaji
Pabitra hriday rekhe hao kajer kaji.”
means— Where are the brahmin and the Vaishnaba, all are selfish and
avaricious dissimulators. Tantramantra asceticism, Jhola— all are tricky. Be a
worker of good works with sacred heart.
The poet Tarakchandra Sarkar remarked about the Matuya religion—
“Mala tepa phota kata jal phela nai.
Hate kam mukhe nam mon khola chai.”
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 17/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
There is no Mala Tepa, Fota Kata, Jal Fela in the Matuya religion. All
should work by hand and to name by mouth.
Somebody says that, Chaitanya was the previous Avatar of Harichand
Thakur. He had alighted again as Harichand Thakur. These are all bogus and
ridiculous invention of them. There is no place of the Avatarism in the Matuya
religion. There were many differences between the religious movement of
Harichand Thakur and Chaitanya. Also there were many differences between
them with religious, social and their personal character.
It is true that, Harichand Thakur and Chaitanya had fight to establish
human dignity, but Chaitanya did not leave the Vedic cultures, Yajna, priest system
etc. As a result, he could not get into the temple of a non-Hindu, Haridas. Even he
himself did not take meals from any non-brahmin person. He also encouraged
to establish a lazy (unwilling to work) Vaishnaba community. The main differences of
Harichand Thakur and Chaitanya are stated below:—
1. Harichand Thakur was born in a Namas family. Chaitanya was born in a
brahmin family. He did not leave off his so-called holy thread.
2. Harichand Thakur was a familyman; his manner is to enjoy the family life
with works and to do all the religious practices in own house. Chaitanya was
an ascetic, who had quitted his house, Vairagya was his way to worship God.
3. Harichand Thakur opposed to do perigrination, Chaitanya had gone on
pilgrimage.
4. Harichand Thakur opposed the Dikshamantra (initation) and Gurugiri;
Chaitanya was faithful to the Dikshamantra and Gurugiri.
5. Harichand Thakur agited against the Brahmanyatantra, the Hindu
scriptures and scriptural rules. But Chaitanya was always a supporter of these.
6. Harichand Thakur says to do the religious practices in own house with
own wife. Chaitanya practiced with the Parakiya.
Not only the backward classes such as the Namas, Kapali, Mahishya,
Paundra (Pod), Goyala, Teli, Mali, Malo, Muchi etc. were attracted by the
religious movement of Harichand Thakur, all communities of the society were
attracted. Many persons from so-called higher classes were inspired with his
ideals and had become his devotees after giving up their vanity of classes. The
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 18/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 19/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
Five
Mrityunjay Biswas and Dasharath Biswas, two devotees of Harichand
Thakur, had written some parts of a biographical document of Harichand
Thakur and about his Dharma. But Harichand Thakur was angry to hear the
manuscript of the book and threw the same. He said Mrityunjay and Dasaratha
would have leprosy if they printed and published the book. Because, he did not
like the writtings in theVedic trend of thoughts and said that, a biography of a
man should not be written in his life time.
After twenty five years from the death of Harichand Thakur a book was
written again newly as a biographical document of Harichand Thakur and
about his Dharma (the Matya Dharma) titled as “ShriShriHarililamrita”. The
writer is a famous poet Tarakchandra Sarkar. He agreed to write this book
thoroughly with the request and inspiration of Mrityunjay Biswas and
Dasharath Biswas. But the book was not published in the life time of
Tarakchandra Sarkar. At first, Tarakchandra named the book as
“ShriHaricharitra Sudha”. Shashibhushan Thakur, the son of Guruchand
Thakur, newly named that book as “ShriShriHarililamrita”.
After two years from the death of Tarakchandra Sarkar the book was
printed and published. But at first no one press of Calcutta (now Kolkata) did
agree to print this book as there is a history of non-Vedic Matuya religion
against the Vedic religion. There are also the history of oppression to the
backward classes by the Varna Hindus and the movements to realize the rights
of them. All publishers of that time were the Varna Hindus. No press could print
this type of book without the permission of Bhasha Saptasati Samiti as per
the rule of that time. By the direction of that committee, some parts of the book
were changed, some parts were rejected for the non-Vedic thoughts and some
parts of the Vedic thoughts were added by another poet, Haribar Sarkar to get
the permission of the committee. In spite of that they had to give twenty rupees
as bribe to the press-manager to print the book (at present value of twenty
rupees of that time is near about ten thousand rupees). The press authorities
did not return the manuscript of the book. So, there is no way to know, what
had written Tarakchandra in the original manuscript. Are there so many
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 20/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
oppositeness of the Vedic and the non-Vedic complications in the book for the
changing in composition of Tarakcahandra?
Gopal Howlader, who was known as Gopal Sadhu, helped with money to
publish the book.The price of that book was then rupees two only and number
of pages were 250. Guruchand Thakur had decided to print the book by the
inspiration of his son Shashibhushan Thakur. The book was first published in
1916 A.D. and printed by Nakulchandra De, from Shastra Prachar Press, 5 No.
Chhidam Mudir Lane, Darjipara (Calcutta).
The composer of the “ShriShriHarililamrita”, Tarakchandra Sarkar was born
at Jaypur village in Jessore district of present Bangladesh, in 1847 A.D. His
father’s name was Kashinath Sarkar and mother’s name was Annada.
Tarakchandra took his primary education from a Pathshala in Chhatra village in
his childhood. He was in a party of Kabigan with his father from his boyhood
and was deeply engaged to read the Vedic scriptures like Puranas, the
Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagbata etc. At the tender age, he began
to do Kabigan after his father’s death. Later, he earned very good reputations
as a famous Kabiyal in Bangadesh of that time. He expired in 1914 AD. He
composed two books about Harichand Thakur— the ShriShriHarililamrita and
the ShriShriMahasankirtan. The book ShriShriHarililamrita was newly
composed after twenty five years from the death of Harichand Thakur and
published in 1916, after the death of Tarakchandra Sarkar.
Tarakchandra, the composer of the ShriShriHarililamrita, described in
details about the non-Vedic Matuya religion, but he could not keep up the
complete separateness from the Vedic religion. In one side, he described in
plain language about the opposition of the Vedic by the works, speeches,
advices and instructions of Harichand Thakur. In another side he established
the Matuya religion as a part of the Vedic religion. Basically he placed the
Matuya religion as an extraordinary form dissolved in the Vedic religion and
cultures. He described the activities of Harichand Thakur with contradictory
statement, imaginative incidents following after the Puranas of the Vedic
religion. For this reason, separateness of the Matuya religion has lost and the
Matuyas are in blunder. But, if we follow deeply in the works, speeches and
advices of Harichand Thakur, what Tarakchandra had described in that book,
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 21/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 22/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
Six
All human beings have equal rights, that is the main rule of the Matuya
religion. Harichand Thakur was emphatic mostly on this matter. He opposed
the system of differential treatment between men and women in the society.
“Women are the doors to go to the hell”—this is written in the
“Manusanghita”, the rules book of the Vedic religion. But Harichand Thakur
says against this, “It is not possible to establish a model household
religion without paying regard to the women. Women are the centre of
householder. No family is formed without a woman. All the religious
practices should be done with own wife”. For this, he always directed all to
emphasize for education, rights and dignity of women.
The women were suffering from disgrace with various mental oppression
by polygamy of their husbands, their early marriage and being used as a
Sevadasi or as a concubine etc. at that time. Harichand Thakur says against
these, “Ek nari brahmachari”— means only one wife is allowed for a
husband. For women education, he says—
“Ami shiksha debo jata purusher dale,
Nari shiksha pabe tar chhaya sushitale.”
means, I will give education to all men with their women.
About two hundred years ago Harichand Thakur says about women’s right
—
“Samaje purush pabe jei adhikar,
Nario paibe taha karile bichar.”
means women have equal rights with the men in the society. Wife is not a
maid servant of her husband, she is religious and life partner. Both of them
have equal dignity in the family life.
The Hinduism teaches men to be emotional, idle, parasitical and to neglect
the physical labours, domestic life is pricle on the way of Mukti, poverty is the
results of wheel of fortune. But Harichand Thakur says—
“Alas loker tulya papi keha nai.”
—means there is no any sinner or wicked person like an idle man.
And again says—
“Kaj karle kaji na karle paji.”
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 23/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 24/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
bondages, Harinam purifies and rectifies the body and mind, Harinam gives
universal love.
Here, the summarized composition about Harichand Thakur and the
Matuya religion is going to be ended. But before that, it is requested to all the
Matuya brothers in the world that, they should remember that, the Matuya
religion and the Vedic (the Hindu) religion are not similar. There are many
differences between two religions. Here we are mentioning again these
shortly.
1. The Vedic religion has Varna system, the Matuya religion has no Varna
system and no division from man to man.
2. The Vedic religion does not give rights to do religious practices
independently, to read scriptures (religious books) to the women, who are the
half of the society.
3. The Vedic religion believes untouchability. One will be outcasted if he
touches another and takes meal from a different race’s house. In the Matuya
religion, there is no place of untouchability.
4. TheVedic religion is discriminatory— there is no equality, alliance and
freedom. The Matuya religion is a religion with equality, alliance and freedom.
5. The Vedic religion believes— one takes birth in a lower Varna or caste by
his sins of previous birth. The Matuya religion does not believe this. This
conception creates inferiorty complex.
6. The Vedic religion believes the pilgrimage destroyes the sins, one would
not get Mukti without receiving initiation from Guru. The Matuya religion
opposes these. Harichand Thakur says—
“Diksha nai karibe na tirtha parjatan,
Mukti spriha sunya nai sadhan bhajan.”
—means, no need to receive initiation from a guru, do not go to pilgrimage,
no desire of Mukti, no need of Sadhan Bhajan.
7. The Vedic religion has worship of innumerable god and goddesses, but
there is no worship of any god or goddesses in the Matuya religion.
8. There is no polygamy in the Matuya religion as in the Vedic religion.
Harichand Thakur says— “Ek nari brahmachari”.
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 25/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
9. There are innumerable Mantras in the Vedic religion. The Matuya religion
has nothing but “Haribol”. All the celebrations are performed by this mantra—
Haribol.
Jai Harichand, Jai Guruchand!
THE END
Acknowledgements :—
1. ‘Matuyara Hindu Nay’ (Bengali essay) by Gurudas Biswas, ‘ADAL BADAL’, Jun-July, 1995.
2. ShriShriHarichand Thakur, by Ratan Biswas, ‘Pancharatna Quize’, 3rd edition.
3. ‘Atiter Sandhane’, Author.
Fota Kata— to paint or print a sectarian mark on one’s body, generally on the
forehead.
Gosain— a title of the Vaishnaba gurus.
Guru— a spiritual teacher or guide.
Gurugiri— the profession of a guru .
Gurupuja— worship of guru.
Haribol— a loud shouting of this word meaning “shout the name of Lod Hari”.
Harinam— to utter repeatedly the name of Lord Harichand.
Jalchal— belonging to a caste whose touch does not pollute water to be used
by high-caste people.
Jal Fela— sprinkling water.
Jatpat— act of distinguishing the castes.
Jay Danka— a war-drum.
Jhola— a (compartively large) cloth-bag esp. one that can be carried by
hanging it from on one’s neck.
Kabigan— a kind of song-tournament, it is a melodious song of lengthy
process, it deals with mythology, religion, Vaishnaba literature etc.
through songs and scholarly lectures, the main singer is called Sarkar.
Kabiyal— a composer of songs for a song-tournament, a singer of this songs.
Kansar— a dish of bell-metal used as a musical instrument.
Mala Tepa— to tell one’s beads with a string.
Mantra— a portion of the Vedas containing sacred hymns. a mystic word or
words recited in prayer to God or deity.
Mantratantra— mantras and incantations collectively.
Matta— absorbedly engaged in.
Matuya— followers of Matuya religion, followers of Harichand Thakur.
Mukti— salvation, freedom from earthly attachments.
Mulnivashi— the aborigines.
Naibedya— offerings placed on the alter at the time of worship.
Narak— hell.
Ojha— a quack professing to have (supernatural) power of curing snake-bites
and other morbidities.
Palraj— Pal-kingdom.
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 27/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
COMMENTS
REPLY
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 28/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
POPULAR POSTS
Powered by Blogger
Koushik Roy
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 29/30
4/22/2020 Harichand Thakur And The Matuya Religion(English)
VISIT PROFILE
Sudhir Ranjan
Halder
VISIT PROFILE
Archive
Labels
Report Abuse
generalbooksonmatuya.blogspot.com/2015/10/harichand-thakur-and-matuya-religion.html 30/30