The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c14.s10.t2.18

c14.s10.t2.18

In the judgment of Rammohun the position of Raghunandana is very high. In the preface to his English translation of the *Īśopaniṣat* (1823) "the great Raghunandana" is cited by him as having quoted the authority of Jāmadagni thus: "For the benefit of those who are inclined to worship, figures are invented to serve as representations of God, who is merely understanding and has no second, no parts nor figure; consequently to these representatives, either male or female forms and other circumstances are fictitiously assigned." In other words, Raghunandana is a rationalist in regard to Hindu image-worship, and Rammohun who is out to defend Hinduism against Christianity accepts Raghunandana as a reliable interpreter of the Hindu images. It is very significant that both as regards *sahamaraṇa* and idolatry Raghunandana should have been treated as authority by Rammohun with a view to fortify his own social reform propaganda. A man who could furnish even Rammohun with social reform ideas is evidently an extraordinary figure in Hindu sociology.