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an ^ E iJ i'opean languages , ( in which they seem to have mutually assisted ^ ch othe r , ) which laid the foundation of that extensive knowledge of Vestern literature the Rajah ultimately acquired . ' * Ram ^ ant Roy died about 1804 or 1805 , having two years before divided his property among his three sons . The other toyj ^ snon ^ die ^^ consequence tHe " possessor of considerable property . From this period he appears to have commenced his plans for reforming the religion of his countrymen . He now quitted Bordouan , and removed to
Moorshedabad . He there published in Persian , with an Arabic preface , a work entitled , < Against the Idolatry of all Religions . ' This raised up against him a host of enemies , though no one attempted to answer it . In 1814 , he went to reside in Calcutta , where he applied himself to the study of the English language , in which he wrote and spoke with ' . astonishing propriety * and elegance . He gradually there gathered round him inquiring , intelligent Hindfts of raEIk and opulence , some of whom united , as early as 1818 , in a species of monotheistic worship .
He afterwards translated the Vedant , which is an abstract of the more ancient and diffuse writings of Hindu theology called the Veds , from the Sanscrit into Bengalee and Hindustanee , to stl 0 W , ^ js . c ^ E y ™^ A ^ M ^ sacred Hooks . He afterwards published anjtbridgement of it for
gratuitous and extensive distribution . In 1816 , he published-an English translation of this abridgement , the title of which represents the Vedant as * the most celebrated and revered work of Brahminical theology , establishing the unity of the Supreme Being , and that he alone is the object of propitiation and worship . ' Towards the close of his preface , he thus writes : —
My constant reflections on the inconvenient , or rather injurious rites introduced by the peculiar practice of Hindu idolatry , which , more than any other Pagan worship , destroys the texture of society , together with cqmjpassion for my countrymen , have compelled me to use . every possible effort to awaken them from their dream of error , and by making them acquainted with the [ their ] scriptures , enable them to contemplate with true devotion , the unity and omnipresence of nature ' s God . By taking the path which conscience and sincerity direct
, I , born a Brahman , have exposed myself to the complainings and reproaches even of some of my relations , whose prejudices are strong , and whose temporal advantage depends on the present system . But theae howeveraccumalateid ; JlB ^ ti '" tiCriquilly"Bear '; ' trusting that " a day will arrive , when my humble endeavours will be viewed with justice , perhaps acknowledged with gratitude . At tmy rate , whatever men may say , I cannot be deprived of this consolation—my motives are acceptable to that Being who beholds in secret , and compensates openly . ' Subsequently he published , in Bengalee and English , some of * Athenreum ,
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RAJAH RAMMOHUN ROY . 323
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 1, 1833, page 323, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2625/page/3/
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