35 Bhagavad-gïtäbali
SeePIδA.Banaras (Benares)
Anglicized form of VÄRÄŒASÏ.Bande mätäräm
(‘I worship you, Mother’)
First words of a poem by Bankim
Chandra Chatterjee, in which he hymns
India as Goddess. It later became the
anthem of the Indian National Congress
and the Freedom Movement. In the
original setting the text appears in the
novel Änanadamaflhaas a hymn sung
by the patriotic SÄDHUSof Bengal, who
rose against the Muslims and the
British, to regain their freedom.bara sthäna (‘big place’)
Designation of the headquarters of
RÄMÄNANDInägas.Basava (12th century)
Minister of a Jain king and founder-
reformer of the LI¢GÄYATS, a Ÿaivite
sect which has many followers in
Karæatäka. Basava affirmed the equali-
ty of women, wished to abolish caste
and exhorted his followers to be always
engaged in useful activities.Basham, Arthur Llewellyn
(1914–1986)
As author of The Wonder that was
India (1985), which went through many
editions and translations, he became
probably the best-known Indianist of
his generation. Basham was for many
years Professor of history of South Asia
at SOAS (University of London) before
accepting an invitation to become head
of the Department of Asian Studies at
the Australian National University in
Canberra. Contributor to many presti-
gious publications, recipient of many
academic honours, e.g. ‘Vidyavaridhi’(1977) by Nalanda University in India,
visiting professor in India, Sri Lanka,
USA, Mexico, Canada.Belur
A famous temple site in South India.Belur-math
A temple near Calcutta where
RAMAKRISHNA‘PARAMAHAMSA’ officiated
as priest and which has become a popu-
lar place of pilgrimage under the man-
agement of the Ramakrishna Mission.Besant, Annie, née Wood
(1847–1933)
Social reformer, theosophist and Indian
independence leader. Born in England,
she married Rev. Frank Besant, but
growing doubts about the tenets of
Christianity made her leave her hus-
band and the church, becoming a mem-
ber of the Fabian Society. After meeting
with Helena Petrovna BLAVATSKY she
joined the Theosophical movement and
made India her home (in 1893). She was
elected president of the Theosophical
Society in 1907. She also supported the
Indian Independence Movement and in
1917 was elected president of the Indian
National Congress. The Hindu college
she founded in Väräæasï (Benares)
became the nucleus of the Benares
Hindu University. She was a prolific
writer and also wrote an autobiography.Bhadrakälï (‘propitious Kälï’)
Name of the goddess DURGÄ.Bhagavad-gïtä
(‘Song of the Lord’)
A famous philosophical and spiritual
poem, often considered the epitome of
Hinduism. A dialogue between KØÆŒA
and ARJUNA, just before the beginning
of the great Bhärata war, it forms chap-
ters 23 to 40 of the Bhï•ma ParvanofEncyclo - Letter B 10/2/03 9:37 am Page 35