They called him Brahmanand—the bliss of the divine incarnate. Keshav Chandra Sen, born 1838 in British India’s heart, channeled that bliss into a global crusade that redefined spirituality.
A Brahmo Samaj prodigy, Sen electrified 1850s Calcutta with anti-idol fervor and social justice pleas. He mobilized the masses for temple entry, female literacy, and marital reforms, clashing with entrenched traditions.
His audacious 1870 England expedition sealed immortality. Navigating foggy London streets, he preached to enthralled crowds, convinced Queen Victoria of Brahmoism’s nobility, and sparked European interest in Vedanta. ‘One God, one humanity,’ was his mantra, predating globalism by a century.
Returning invigorated, Sen splintered the Brahmo fold to pursue radical inclusivity. The 1872 Native Marriage Act bore his imprint, raising consent ages. His New Dispensation movement innovated with multimedia worship—songs, processions, universal festivals—drawing diverse devotees.
Scandals loomed: family weddings defied his own edicts, breeding disillusionment. Health failed him by 1884, aged 49. Yet, from Australia to America, Brahmo outposts thrive, testament to his seafaring evangelism. Keshav Chandra Sen taught us: true prophets sail farthest.