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110 : Sramaņa, Vol 58, No. 1/January-March 2007
notable rationalist, has been found as very critical about the theological dogmas and superstitious beliefs, but nevertheless has not opposed to the moral foundation of dharma. The Periyar Selfrespect Propaganda Institution, founded by Periyar E.V. Ramasami is quite active in criticizing the theological claims and appeals for a humanistic world-view free from caste-creed discrimination. Keshab Chandra Sen from Bengal has vigorously launched campaign against Brahminic orthodoxy and superiority during his days. Pandit Nilakantha Das from Orissa (born of a conservative Brahmin family and a noted political figure) has advanced social reforms against Brahmin orthodoxy along with his other four associates (all well known as great Pañca-sakhās of modern Orissa). He also has made a full-length original commentary on Bhagvadgitā and has persuasively argued that Gītā dharma is mānava dharma being based on niti (moral) and it is īśvara-bihīna (Godless) dharma.? The reform movements launched by the Ārya Samāja, Brahma Samāja etc. are also important moves in this direction. All such moves amply justify that dharma is not limited to any form or rigid conservative traditionality. Perennially it is open textured and is amenable for any kind of plausible and meaningful change based on moral justification at the secular front.
The different forms of theistic expressions continue to thrive not simply exclusive of each other, but also with a spirit of mutual harmony, probably because of the social pressure. On account of the reconciliatory tendency, there has been the emergence of Ardhanārīśvara (the composite form of Siva-Pārvati), Hari-Hara (the composite form of Śiva-Vişņu), Siva-Sūrya (the composite form of Siva-bhāskara), the yugala (combine) form of LakşmiNārāyaṇa, Sītā-Rāma, Rādhā-Krşņa and such other composite theistic formulations. This trend has been extended further keeping in view of the regional, local and cultural traits. As a result number of deities are rather invented (which have no astrict documentary authenticity) to cater to the emotional expectation of common
