Life story of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur

Harichand Thakur was among those social reformer from Bengal region. He was born in 1811AD (Troyodashi day of Falgun month of 1218 Bengali Calender) in Safolidanga village of Gopalganj District(currently in Bangladesh). It was Maha Baruni day. His father's name was Jashamanta Thakur and mother was Annapurna Devi. Jashamanta Thakur was maithilee Brahmin as origin. He was a devoted Vaishnav. Saints and sages always came to his house.

Harichand was the second son of Jashamanta Thakur. His other three sons were Vaishnav Das, Gouri Das and Swarup Das. All of them were Vaishnav. (Some also say that His elder son was Krishna Das)

From the very childhood Harichand was different. He was polite in nature and remained contemplated. He attended schools only for few months. His merit was sharp. He learned alphabet and basic math very quickly but bounded life and bounded study in school did not attract him much. He liked to live with nature. He left school and began to play with other boys in the field and custodian of domestic animals. He was very beautiful and had nice voice of singing. Sometime he sang, sometimes recited Bhagvad Geeta, sometimes he played with cowboys --- all His days were going in this way. He was very dear to all.

Among the cowboys, Braja, Natu and Bishwanath were his very favorite. One day Bishwanath was not present in the field. Natu told that Bishwanath is affected by cholera. Hearing this, he rushed into Bishwanath house. Bishwanath's mother was lamenting. Harichand came close to Bishwanath and pull him by his hand. Sick and fragile Bishwanath wake up easily and became cured. Everybody was surprised by this fact. This incident reveals his divine power.

Day by day, His devotion towards God was increasing and He became a Great character in spiritual world. He began to preach His own doctrine but that was not different from the mainstream dogma of Hinduism rather He tried to continue the love-devotion theory of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. His philosophy was 'Matuaism' and His followers are called Matua. 'Matua' means 'remain in joy' --- those who remain delighted at chanting of Harinam(God's name). Some also say, 'Matua' means those who have consent. Those who have faith in God, respect in Guru,God and affection to chanting God's name --- they are Matua.

Matuaism is believed to be originated from Shankara acharya's monism and chanting, kirtan are the way of prayer. Matuaism believe the theory of 'freeing through devotion'. According to Thakur Harichand, The main theory of practicing religion is rooted in achieving humanity, self-development and mass welfare. Truthfulness, love, chastity are the three main pillars of Matuaism. The aim of prayer should be the experiencing the Truth as well as meeting God. To get blessings of God, it needs love and pre condition of love is chastity. Chesty body and mind helps to grow love internally and then Sri Hari (God) placed Himself in devotees mind.

His fans, followers respect Him as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is their supreme God. They believe Lord Vishnu incarnated in all the periods of time. He advised His followers to lead a family life. He also had family. In His family life, He had two sons and three daughters. The name of His tow sons were Gurucharan and Umacharan.

He was able to unite the oppressed and lower-class people in the society. He always inspired them to be devoted in the philosophy of Sanatan Hinduism. People regardless of race, religion became His fan and follower. His spiritual philosophy consists of 12 Ajna (Advice/Order). In Bengali 1284(1877 AD), 23rd Falgun, He breathed His last at the age of 66.