[Note on “The Bishop’s Manifesto”]
Article Selections by P. A. P. | Note by H.P.B. Madame,—Permit me to draw your attention in your journal which is devoted to Oriental Philosophy,… Read More »[Note on “The Bishop’s Manifesto”]
H. P. Blavatsky
Occultist, Author, Chela, Co-founder of the Theosophical Society. Bio: H. P. Blavatsky.
The Most Ancient of Christian Orders
Bent upon searching for the origin of all things, the etymology of names included, and giving every religious and philosophical system, without prejudice, stint, or… Read More »The Most Ancient of Christian Orders
Radiant Heat, Musical Vapours, and Fairy Bells
Article Selections | Opening and Closing Notes by H.P.B. An intelligent and ingenious friend in Europe has sent to Col. Olcott a letter of which… Read More »Radiant Heat, Musical Vapours, and Fairy Bells
An Archaeological Drink
Recently, during the progress of some excavations at Marseilles (France), a vast Roman necropolis was found. The tomb of the Consul Caius Septimus proved to… Read More »An Archaeological Drink
Railway and Other Vandals
We learn from an Italian journal that hardly two years ago “nothing but the intervention of the most distinguished influence prevented a railway company from… Read More »Railway and Other Vandals
A Columnar Meteor
Not far from Warsaw (Poland) on January 14, occurred a most extraordinary natural phenomenon. As a matter of religious routine, it was forthwith attributed, even… Read More »A Columnar Meteor
[Note on the Baser Branches of Occultism]
[Note: the following comment by H.P.B. follows an article describing some phenomena performed by a fakir.] Note.—It certainly is not worth the while of any… Read More »[Note on the Baser Branches of Occultism]
The Year 1881
To the Editor of the Bombay Gazette. Sir,—I believe very few of the millions who began three months since to date their letters “1881” ever… Read More »The Year 1881
A Berlin Mare’s Nest
To the Editor of the Bombay Gazette. Sir—All Europe and America were set laughing over the honest indignation of an Italian critic, who reviewing Mark… Read More »A Berlin Mare’s Nest
[A Response to a Slanderous Attack]
Sir.—It appears that the Editor (or Editors?) of that scurrilous English paper at Lahore, the (un) Civil and (more cowardly than) Military Gazette—inasmuch as it… Read More »[A Response to a Slanderous Attack]
The Alleged Real Meaning of Educational Missions in India
We confess to having read with great surprise an authoritative explanation that the real object in view in the establishment of the Christian Vernacular Education… Read More »The Alleged Real Meaning of Educational Missions in India
[Notes on Cahanet’s Conceptions of God]
Selections from Cahagnet’s Cosmogonie et Anthropologie (“Cosmogony and Anthropology: or Deity, Earth and Man Studied by Analogy”) | Notes by H.P.B. [Note: for background, see “Another Distinguished… Read More »[Notes on Cahanet’s Conceptions of God]
[Note on “Spiritual Miracles”]
Note by H.P.B. following an article on Mr. Laurence Oliphant, titled “Spiritual Miracles” [Note: the article to which this note is appended recounts several instances… Read More »[Note on “Spiritual Miracles”]
The Signs of the Time
How rapidly the salutary leaven of Freethought is working its way into every class of society throughout Europe and America, may be seen in the… Read More »The Signs of the Time
The Brahmo Samaj
Ever since we came to India friends in Europe and America have been asking us to tell them something about the Brahmo Samaj. For their… Read More »The Brahmo Samaj
The Leaven of Theosophy
Those of us whose duty it is to watch the Theosophical movement and aid its progress can afford to be amused at the ignorant conceit… Read More »The Leaven of Theosophy
A Russian “Symposium”
An important triad of Russian writers has lately been engaged on a discussion of British and Russian relations. One of these, Mr. Martens, Professor in… Read More »A Russian “Symposium”
The Royal Society and Spiritualistic Literature
Our esteemed contemporary, The Spiritualist (London), notes the fact that the Royal Society has actually condescended to express its thanks for a presentation copy of Zöllner’s… Read More »The Royal Society and Spiritualistic Literature
[On the Brahmo Samaj and Theosophical Society]
In the Sunday Mirror of February 20, we find a paragraph in which Sir Richard Temple’s opinion on the Brahmo Samaj is quoted from his India in 1880 to… Read More »[On the Brahmo Samaj and Theosophical Society]
[On the T.S. Setting a Good Example]
The Revue Spirite, edited by that honoured and thoughtful French spiritist, our friend, Mr. Leymarie, F.T.S., has devoted many pages to Theosophy during the past… Read More »[On the T.S. Setting a Good Example]
The New Viman
A plan has just been submitted for the consideration of the Odessa Branch of the Imperial Technological Society for an aërial ship, which does not… Read More »The New Viman
The Study of Russian by Indian Officers
To the Editor of the Bombay Gazette. Sir:––In The Pioneer of February 19th, there is a letter from Mr. Walter T. Lyall, H.B.M.’s Consul at… Read More »The Study of Russian by Indian Officers
[Notes on “Prophetic Horoscopes,” Astrology and Earth-Currents]
Note by H.P.B. on an article by Morarji Gokuldas The facts given in the present article were communicated to a friend and by him written… Read More »[Notes on “Prophetic Horoscopes,” Astrology and Earth-Currents]
Hindustani Domestic Remedies
Introductory Note by H.P.B. on an article by Pandit Jaswant Roy Bhojapatra The contribution of Pandit Prananath on the efficacy the charm-cure, or the writing… Read More »Hindustani Domestic Remedies
Hypnotism
The views of medical men in regard to hypnotism or self-mesmerization have been greatly strengthened of late. This is evident from the report by Dr.… Read More »Hypnotism
Another Distinguished Fellow
A short time since we had the pleasure of announcing that the aged Baron du Potet de Sennevoy had accepted the diploma of Honorary Fellow… Read More »Another Distinguished Fellow
The Missing Link
A good many of the Western papers are terribly excited over a bit of news just arrived in Europe from Sangoon. The most radical and… Read More »The Missing Link
Questions Answered About Yoga Vidya
A HINDU gentleman of the Madras Presidency propounds a number of questions about Occult Science which we answer in these columns, as the information is… Read More »Questions Answered About Yoga Vidya
Electric and Magnetic Affinities Between Man and Nature
Without going too deeply into certain vexed questions based upon what the orthodox men of science please to term the “hypothetical” conclusions of the Psychological… Read More »Electric and Magnetic Affinities Between Man and Nature
Transcendental Physics
[Note: the following introductory remark was made in The Theosophist, January, 1881:] Our long absence from Bombay has prevented our reviewing Mr. C. C. Massey’s… Read More »Transcendental Physics
A Year of Theosophy
The dial of Time marks off another of the world’s Hours. . . . And, as the Old Year passes into Eternity, like a rain-drop… Read More »A Year of Theosophy
A Word with Our Friends
That cause must be weak and desperate, indeed, that has to resort to the arts of the slanderer to prop it up and injure its… Read More »A Word with Our Friends
[Note on “Occult Phenomena”]
The conductor of this Magazine, returning to Bombay late in December, and after the first two forms had been printed off, finds with regret that… Read More »[Note on “Occult Phenomena”]
A French View of Women’s Rights
With a little book entitled “Les Femmes qui Tuent et les Femmes qui Votent”, Alexandre Dumas, fils, has just entered the arena of social and… Read More »A French View of Women’s Rights
[Note on “A Physiological Test for Thief-Catching”]
Article selections by Dr. Batkuram S. Mehta | Note by H.P.B. . . . A few days ago an ornament of gold . . .… Read More »[Note on “A Physiological Test for Thief-Catching”]
[Notes on “Kama rupa” and the Power of Will]
Article selections by Lalla Maikoolal | Notes by H.P.B. The following is the result of my meditations and I give it out for publication in The… Read More »[Notes on “Kama rupa” and the Power of Will]
[Note on “Is Man only a Machine?”]
Note by H.P.B. on an article by Joseph Pollock Mr. Pollock has as ably presented both sides of the case as anyone could without the… Read More »[Note on “Is Man only a Machine?”]
[Moksha & Nirvana]
Article selection from “Swami Dayanand’s Views About Yoga” | Note by H.P.B. Question. Up to what day, hour, or minute, of his own bodily life… Read More »[Moksha & Nirvana]
[On Sir Richard Temple’s Lecture]
Sir Richard has done our Society the great honour of misrepresenting its character and objects to an English audience. A pamphlet edition of “A Speech… Read More »[On Sir Richard Temple’s Lecture]
Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen
By “laymen,” in this case, we mean that class of society and humanity in general, who are not “orthodox spiritualists;” neither are they prepared to… Read More »Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen
What is Theosophy? (Qu’est-ce Que la Théosophie?)
Bombay, August 5, 1880. To Monsieur Charles Fauvety, president of the Society for Psychological Studies, Paris. Very Honored Sir And President, Your esteemed letter of… Read More »What is Theosophy? (Qu’est-ce Que la Théosophie?)
Occult Phenomena
Sir, In the issue of the 19th instant of your worthy contemporary, I find over two columns devoted to the doubtful glorification, but mostly to… Read More »Occult Phenomena
On Rahatship
A sentence in the article on “Rahatship” in the August number, has been caught up by the adversaries of our cause and made much sport… Read More »On Rahatship
The Pralaya of Modern Science
If Science is right then the future of our Solar System—hence of what we call the Universe—offers but little of hope or consolation for our… Read More »The Pralaya of Modern Science
Letter to the Editor, of the “Bombay Review”
To the Editor, SIR,— Would you oblige me by giving a wider publicity than it would otherwise receive to the following reply which I have… Read More »Letter to the Editor, of the “Bombay Review”
Madame Blavatsky on the Theosophical Society at Bombay
To the Editor of the Indu-Prakash. SIR,— In your issue of August 30th, I find you commenting on certain “strange reports” about the Theosophical Society,… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on the Theosophical Society at Bombay
The Decadence of Protestant Christianity
Doubts have been expressed by Asiatic friends as to the truth of our assertion that Protestantism was fast approaching the crisis of its fate. Yet… Read More »The Decadence of Protestant Christianity
[What is a “Miracle”?]
A brother Theosophist suggests one of the tersest and most satisfying definitions of the word miracle, that we have seen. “Would it not be worthwhile,”… Read More »[What is a “Miracle”?]
[The Lack of Interest in Sanskrit Studies]
Noticing the sad fact of the impending dissolution of the “Sanskrit Text Society,” founded at London in 1865, through the exertions of the late Professor… Read More »[The Lack of Interest in Sanskrit Studies]
Russian Superstitions
In the article entitled “War in Olympus” (Theosophist for November 1879), an allusion was made to a great row then raging in Russia, between the… Read More »Russian Superstitions
[Note on “Stone-Throwing by ‘Spirits’”]
In the July number [see “Mysterious Stone-Throwing at Plumbstead,” p. 234] we reprinted from the Daily Chronicle an account of recent stone-throwings at Plumstead, England,… Read More »[Note on “Stone-Throwing by ‘Spirits’”]
[The Mayavi Rupa]
Article selection from “Nanga Baba of Gwalior”, by M.B.V. | Note by H.P.B. “In a corner of the parade ground of Maharaja Scindia’s force, there… Read More »[The Mayavi Rupa]
[A Republic of Conscience]
“Address of the President of the Ionian Theosophical Branch at Corfu, Upon Presenting the Charter of Constitution to the Fellows”, by Signor Pasuale Menelao, D.L.,… Read More »[A Republic of Conscience]
Commentary on A Treatise on the Yoga Philosophy
[Reference:] “A Treatise on the Yoga Philosophy”, by Dr. N. C. Paul, G.B., M.C., Sub-Assistant Surgeon, 1850. Second Edition, 1882. When, in America and Europe,… Read More »Commentary on A Treatise on the Yoga Philosophy
The Number Seven and Our Society
The thoughtful reader must have pondered well over the mysterious import that the number Seven seems to have always had among the ancients, as succinctly… Read More »The Number Seven and Our Society
Our Second Year
Like all other pleasant things, our first year’s relations with The THEOSOPHIST’S subscribers are about to terminate. The present is the eleventh number, that has… Read More »Our Second Year
[Theosophical Delegation to Ceylon]
[The Pioneer, July 31, 1880, carried an article titled “The Theosophists in Ceylon”, which recounted H.P.B. and Col. Olcott’s trip to Ceylon. The article was… Read More »[Theosophical Delegation to Ceylon]
Rahatship
It highly gratified our Delegates to Ceylon to find that not only every educated priest and layman, but the uneducated people of that Island also,… Read More »Rahatship
[Note on “Testing the Bewitched Mirror Theory”]
Article selections by Babu Asu Tosh Mitra | Note by H.P.B. [Note: the article to which the following makes reference related a story by A.… Read More »[Note on “Testing the Bewitched Mirror Theory”]
“Spirit” Pranks Intra Caucasus (intro)
“Verily . . . Truth is often stranger than fiction!” Some three months ago, the Yankee-Irish editor of a unimportant, third-class Anglo-Indian paper, in a fit, apparently… Read More »“Spirit” Pranks Intra Caucasus (intro)
The Theory of Cycles
It is now some time since this theory, which was first propounded in the oldest religion of the world, Vedaism, then taught by various Greek… Read More »The Theory of Cycles
The Theosophists at Maligawa
Sir,—May I hope to be allowed the same number of lines in the columns of your valuable paper, for the refutation of a mis-statement—misled no… Read More »The Theosophists at Maligawa
The Christian Art of War
Will some reverend preacher, devoted to the work of propagating Christianity among the “poor Heathens,” generously read at his next Bible-class, Sunday-school, or open-air meeting… Read More »The Christian Art of War
A People’s Monthly
The tone of our private correspondence encourages us to think that our magazine is satisfying the wants of the Indian public, and that it may… Read More »A People’s Monthly
[The Ceylon Delegation and Progress in India]
The editorial notice of the proposed visit of our Theosophical Delegation to the island of Ceylon, which is transferred to our columns from those of… Read More »[The Ceylon Delegation and Progress in India]
The Number Seven
A deep significance was attached to numbers in hoary antiquity. There was not a people with anything like philosophy, but gave great prominence to numbers… Read More »The Number Seven
Madame Blavatsky and Her Opinions
Mme. H. P. Blavatsky, who “professes to be a Buddhist,” and who—thinks the Observer—had better explain the outrageous deception of professing to have willed one… Read More »Madame Blavatsky and Her Opinions
A Case of Obsession
A most interesting and instructive letter has been addressed to the Society by a respectable physician in England, in which advice is asked for the… Read More »A Case of Obsession
Letter from India
Poona, 18 February, 1880. Some twenty years ago, as a warning, there was exhibited in triumphant procession all over India, Nâna-Sâhib, locked in an iron… Read More »Letter from India
[On the Biblical Chronology of Noah’s Flood]
Article selection from “Puzzles for the Philologists”, by M. Gracias | Note by H.P.B. In a somewhat lengthy article which appears in the March number… Read More »[On the Biblical Chronology of Noah’s Flood]
Journalist vs. Missionary
Some weeks ago, the Times of India, in a moment of rancorous spite towards the Invalide Russe, which it had caught, mirabile dictu! in a… Read More »Journalist vs. Missionary
The State of Christianity
The entire space in a monthly magazine as large as this might be filled with extracts from the journals of Europe and America showing the… Read More »The State of Christianity
Cock-and-Bull
Some months ago, the THEOSOPHIST was taken to task by certain Christian Roman Catholic friends, for crediting “supernatural” cock-and-bull “inventions” about spirits and mediums, as… Read More »Cock-and-Bull
“A Personal Statement of Religious Belief”
“A PERSONAL STATEMENT OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF” is the title of a pamphlet now just appearing at Bombay. It is an unexpected, and very unusual piece… Read More »“A Personal Statement of Religious Belief”
[Difference between “Spiritualists” and “Spiritists”]
Article selection by M. Camille Flammarion | Note by H.P.B. “Spiritism feels too grateful to the great scientist William Crookes that anything to his greater… Read More »[Difference between “Spiritualists” and “Spiritists”]
[Symbolism in the Kaliya Mardana]
Article selection from “Kaliya Mardana, or the Crushing of Kaliya—the Great Serpent by Krishna”, by Rao Bahadur Dadoba Pandurang | Note by H.P.B. The sixteenth… Read More »[Symbolism in the Kaliya Mardana]
Missionaries Militant
We have just read the two dreary columns in The Pioneer of March 15th, “The Theosophists in Council,” by Mr. T. G. Scott. The Council… Read More »Missionaries Militant
The History of a “Book”
As the indications in the press all point towards a Russian reign of terror, either before or at the death of the Czar—a bird’s-eye view… Read More »The History of a “Book”
Cup-Mark Inscriptions
H. Rivett-Carnac, Esquire, of the Bengal Civil Service, C.I.E., F.S.A., M.R.A.S., F.G.S., etc., has placed us under obligations by sending us copies of his paper,… Read More »Cup-Mark Inscriptions
[Note on “Swami Versus Missionary”]
Editor’s Note by H.P.B. following the above titled article. A Hindu translation of the above having been sent to Swamiji, he writes, under date of… Read More »[Note on “Swami Versus Missionary”]
Which First—The Egg or the Bird?
I beg to present my warmest thanks to Mr. William Simpson, F.R.G.S., the distinguished artist and antiquary, who extended last year his researches to Peshawar… Read More »Which First—The Egg or the Bird?
A Land of Mystery
[I] Whether one surveys the imposing ruins of Memphis or Palmyra; stands at the foot of the great pyramid of Ghizé; wanders along the shores… Read More »A Land of Mystery
[Psycho-physiological Powers Not Dependent on Creed or Race]
Article “A Mussulman Abdal (Yogi)”, by Syed Mahmood | Note by H.P.B. The original of the following narrative will be found among the anecdotes in… Read More »[Psycho-physiological Powers Not Dependent on Creed or Race]
[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]
Article selection from “Indra”, by Rajendro Nauth Dutta | Notes by H.P.B. Indra1 is the name of one of these Hindu deities that were worshipped… Read More »[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]
[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]
Article selection from “An Indian Aethrobat”, by Babu Krishna Indra Sandyal | Note by H.P.B. In the November issue of this journal I read an… Read More »[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]
A Great Light Under a Bushel
If, according to the ironical definition of a French writer, language were not given to man “that he might the better dissimulate his thought,” at… Read More »A Great Light Under a Bushel
Lo! The “Poor Missionary”
Decidedly the year A.D. 1880 begins as unpropitious and gloomy for that long-suffering, self-sacrificing class, known in Europe as Protestant Missionaries, but in India as… Read More »Lo! The “Poor Missionary”
[The Theosophists and the British Gov. of India]
The work we have to do in India might be so much impeded by foolish misconceptions that we heartily welcome any additional evidence showing that… Read More »[The Theosophists and the British Gov. of India]
Armenians
TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The London Economist of a recent date, in an article headed “What England has inflicted upon India,” and copied in most of… Read More »Armenians
[On Hysteria, Anesthesia and Occult Phenomena]
Paris is undoubtedly one of the best places in the world for the study of that Protean malady, hysteria; two years ago the “Charité” could… Read More »[On Hysteria, Anesthesia and Occult Phenomena]
[Introductory Note to “Missions in India”]
Introductory Note by H.P.B. to an article by Alice Gordon Most opportunely there comes a communication upon the missionary question, which will be found elsewhere.… Read More »[Introductory Note to “Missions in India”]
[Dhyana & The Company of Mahatmas]
Article selection from “Badrinath, the Mysterious”, by “a Swami who has seen it” | Note by H.P.B. Half way up a peak of the Himalaya… Read More »[Dhyana & The Company of Mahatmas]
[Nature-Worship & Elementals]
Article selection from “Nature Worship”, by H.H.D. | Note by H.P.B. What the philosophic poet [Wordsworth] beautifully observes [See The Excursion, 1814] by way of… Read More »[Nature-Worship & Elementals]
[Introductory Note to “Yoga Philosophy” and “The Dream of Ravan”]
Introductory Note by H.P.B. on an article titled “Yoga Philosophy,” by “Truth Seeker.” The following communication, from a European Theosophist, will be read with attention… Read More »[Introductory Note to “Yoga Philosophy” and “The Dream of Ravan”]
[Missionary Tactics in India]
Article selection from “Swami verses Missionary”, The Debate at Ajmere between Pandit Dayanund Saraswati Swami and the Rev. Dr. Gray, Reported for the Theosophist by… Read More »[Missionary Tactics in India]
[Explanation of Incidents in the Life of Sankaracharya]
Article selections from “The Life of Sankaracharya, Philosopher and Mystic” by Kashinath Trimbak Telang | Notes by H.P.B. The question of Sarasvati as to the… Read More »[Explanation of Incidents in the Life of Sankaracharya]
Brahma, Iswara and Maya
Article selection by N. Naraina Moorty | Note by H.P.B. Advertising to the article “Brahma, Iswara and Maya,” by Pramada Dasa Mittra published in the… Read More »Brahma, Iswara and Maya
The Ensouled Violin
The almost supernatural or magic art of Nicolo Paganini—the greatest violin player that the world has ever produced—was often speculated upon, never understood. The sensation… Read More »The Ensouled Violin
Letter to the Editor of “The Banner of Light”
Bombay, India. To the Editor of The Banner of Light: In your issue of Oct. 4th, in the “London Spiritual Notes” from your special correspondent,… Read More »Letter to the Editor of “The Banner of Light”
An Old Book and a New One
The nineteenth century is the century of struggle and strife, par excellence; of religious, political, social, and philosophical conflict. The biologists could and would not… Read More »An Old Book and a New One