Vaikunda Swami: A Case Study of Socio-Religious Awakening in South India

Abstract

The nineteenth century witnessed the genesis and spread of a number of socio-religious movements which were aimed at reforming the Hindu society and religion. It has been generally portrayed as an era of re-awakening in the realm of socio-religious, political and cul- tural life. A critical outlook on the past and new aspiration for the future marked the awakening. Reason and judgement took the place of birth and belief; superstition yielded to science; immobility was replaced by progress, and a zeal for reform of proved abuses overpowered age-long apathy and inertia and a complacent acquiescence in whatever was, current in society, I Almost all movements were laun- ched against the age-old fossilized customs and superstitious beliefs.