Page:Rabindranath Tagore - A Biographical Study.djvu/136



Now we can realise the new deliverance for which the father of Rabindranath worked, bequeathing the work as a legacy to his children, when we turn to the faith of the "Brahmo Samaj," which he founded in 1843, and recall the profound feeling with which he spoke of his reform: "During my travels, how often," he said, "have I prayed to God with tears in my eyes for the day when idolatrous ceremonies would be abolished from our house, and the adoration of the Infinite commence in their stead."

The foundation of "Brahma Dharma" grew naturally out of these experiences of the old Indian religions, but the basis was hard to find. When he began to think of his new religion he felt the need of an inspired foundation for his beliefs. First he went to the Vedas, but found no help there. Then he went to the Upanishads, but found himself face to face with a hundred and forty-seven of them, preaching most contrary doctrines. It seemed eventually any and everybody began to publish anything and