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”]
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]
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 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”]
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]
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]
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 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
A book entitled “Swami Charitra” (The life of Swami) has just been published in Marathi, in two parts, by one Narayan Hari Bhagvat. It contains… Read More »The Swami of Akalkot
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”
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
Article Selection from “The Veda, The Origin and History of Religion,” by Rao Bahadur Shankar Pandurang Pandit | Note by H.P.B. The other attributes of… Read More »[A Note on “Divine Revelation”]
You do not write to us any more then? And to diversify your Parisian amusements you demolish me in the Revue. Very good, I have… Read More »Letter of Madame Blavatsky—Dr. Rotura’s Discovery
At the request of Col. Olcott I have permitted the following paper to be published with materials collected by me for a paper read to… Read More »Sankaracharaya, Philosopher and Mystic
Article selection by K.P.B. | Note by H.P.B. The query naturally suggests itself to any one now observing this “poor shadow” of the Aryan land—Is… Read More »A Strange Revery
The Jain religion never spread beyond the limits of India. Being thus much less widely known, it has never stood high, like Buddhism, in the… Read More »A Chapter on Jainism
In 1808 Juan VI, then Prince-Regent of Portugal, fearing Napoleon I, made his escape to Brazil; and in 1815, was crowned monarch of the United… Read More »“Lieutenant-Colonel St. Anthony”
We begin with a strange story from the Gainesville Eagle—an American journal:— “Some time ago Dr. Stephenson was prospecting the vast hornblende and chloritic slate… Read More »Nocturnal Thoughts on Newspaper Clippings
At what epoch the dawning intellect of man first accepted the idea of future life, none can tell. But we know that, from the very… Read More »The Popular Idea of Soul-Survival
We are reaching the time of the year when the whole Christian world is preparing to celebrate the most noted of its solemnities—the birth of… Read More »Christmas Then and Christmas Now
“All comes in good time to him who knows to wait,” says the proverb. The small party of New York Theosophists, who arrived at Bombay… Read More »A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining
Dark clouds are gathering over the hitherto cold and serene horizon of exact science, which forebode a squall. Already two camps are forming among the… Read More »War in Olympus
We feel honored in being able to lay before Western thinkers, preliminary contributions from two of the most eminent priests of the religion of Buddha,… Read More »Buddhistic Exegesis
Perhaps the most widespread and universal among the symbols in the old astronomical systems, which have passed down the stream of time to our century,… Read More »Cross and Fire
Article selections by “An English Admirer” | Notes by H.P.B. . . . The following translation has been made for us from the Marathi, by a young… Read More »Notes on “The Brahmachari Bawa”
By the Rev. Mohottivatte Gunanande, Chief Priest of Dipaduttama Vihare, Colombo, Ceylon; Member of the General Council of the Theosophical Society. Understanding that even Oriental… Read More »The Law of the Lord Sakya Muni
By the Rt. Rev. H. Sumangala, High Priest of Adam’s Peak, and President of Widyodaya College; Senior Buddhist Member of the General Council of the… Read More »The Nature and Office of Buddha’s Religion
To the Editor of the Banner of Light: Phenomena in India, beside the undoubted interest they offer in themselves, and, apart from their great variety,… Read More »Echoes from India: What is Hindu Spiritualism?
We have read with great interest the first number of a new French journal devoted to the science of Mesmerism, or, as it is called,… Read More »The Magnetic Chain
Few persons are capable of appreciating the truly beautiful and esthetic; fewer still of revering those monumental relics of bygone ages, which prove that even… Read More »Persian Zoroastrianism and Russian Vandalism
A journal interested like the THEOSOPHIST in the explorations of archæology and archaic religions, as well as the study of the occult in nature, has… Read More »Antiquity of the Vedas
Late advices from various parts of the world seem to indicate that, while there is an increasing interest in the phenomena of spiritualism, especially among… Read More »The Drift of Western Spiritualism
[Review of The Light of Asia, by Sir Edwin Arnold] A timely work in poetical form, and one whose subject—perfect though the outward clothing be—is sure… Read More »[Review:] “The Light of Asia”
An esteemed young English lady of Simla, interested in Occultism, sends us some interesting narratives of psychological experiences which may safely be copied by our… Read More »Spiritualism at Simla (intro)
Article selections by the Swami | Notes by H.P.B. [Note: the following note by H.P.B. preceded the December, 1879 portion of the article; we place… Read More »Notes to “The Autobiography of Dayanund Saraswati, Swami.”
Are they what they claim to be—students of natural law, of ancient and modern philosophy, and even of exact science? Are they Deists, Atheists, Socialists,… Read More »What are the Theosophists?
This question has been so often asked, and misconception so widely prevails, that the editors of a journal devoted to an exposition of the world’s… Read More »What is Theosophy?
The foundation of this journal is due to causes which, having been enumerated in the Prospectus, need only be glanced at in this connection. They… Read More »Namastae!
The article entitled: “Final Reflexions of an Oriental,” which is addressed to me in the June number of La Revue Spirite, demands a reply. As… Read More »Final Reply of a Theosophist to Mr. Rossi De Justiniani
Sir,—Be so kind as to make room in your next issue for this indignant protest of mine. Speaking of me in your leading article of… Read More »Correspondence: Madame Blavatsky
Preface In the following Poem I have sought, by the medium of an imaginary Buddhist votary, to depict the life and character and indicate the… Read More »Light of Asia: The Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana)
Madame H. P. Blavatsky writes as follows to the editor of the Indu Prakash: Ever since my arrival here, in February, with an hospitality and persistence worthy… Read More »Letter to the Editor of the Indu Prakash
Sir,—I pray you to give me, in your Calcutta paper, space enough to reply to the mendacious comments of one of your religious neighbours upon… Read More »The Theosophists and Their Opponents
To the Editor, Sir,—My writing is prompted by the legitimate curiosity of a foreigner, who is studying the value of English words and their relative… Read More »Buddhist Priests and the Title “Reverend”
Sir,—In compliance with your request of April 2nd to inform you of the total amount of money sent by order of the Council, from New… Read More »Harichandra Chintamon
To the Editor of the Bombay Gazette: Sir,—On the very day of my return from a month’s travel, I am shown by the American Consul two… Read More »Madame Blavatsky [On Her Contempt for Titles]
In The Indian Tribune of March 15th appears a letter upon the relations of the Theosophical Society with the Ârya Samâj. The writer seems neither… Read More »Magic
Sir,—If my memory has not altogether evaporated under the combined influences of this blazing Indian sun, and the frequent misconstructions of your correspondents, there occurred,… Read More »[Reply to:] “Madame Blavatsky”
There is a story current among the Yankees of a small schoolboy, who, having been thrashed by a bigger fellow and being unable to hit… Read More »The Retort Courteous
To the Editor of The Indian Spectator. Before entering upon the main question that compels me to ask you kindly to accord me space in your… Read More »The Indian “Public” and Theosophy
We insert this reply to Monsieur Rossi de Justiniani, but we express no opinion upon the doctrines expounded therein; our Smyrna brother may reply to… Read More »Erroneous Ideas Concerning the Doctrines of the Theosophists
Translator’s Preface “You must remember,” said Mme. Blavatsky, “that I never meant this for a scientific work. My letters to the Russian Messenger, under the… Read More »From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan
One of our many friends, a distinguished writer and publicist, received a letter about the Theosophists from one of his confrères in America (United States);… Read More »The Real Madame, H. P. Blavatsky
Dear Sir,—So far, as I can at present foresee, this will be the last time I shall ask you to print anything over my—to many… Read More »Parting Words from Madame Blavatsky
Our Correspondence. New York. My dear Editor,—I am sending to you the New York Echo—our local Organ for Secret Societies. It will be, I believe,… Read More »Letter to the Editor of “L’Opinione Nazionale”
Madame Blavatsky Narrates the History of the Brahmo-Samaj and the Ârya-Samâj.—The Conflict of Faiths in India.—Why the Theosophists Now Receive their Instructions from a Hindu… Read More »The Arya Samaj
[[This the New York Circular drafted mainly by Colonel H. S. Olcott and which was ready for distribution on May 3rd, 1878. A packet of… Read More »The Theosophical Society: Its Origin, Plan and Aims
Madame Blavatsky’s Dramatic Word-Painting and Graphic Description of Abdul Ghafur’s Remarkable And Eventful Career—Antagonism of the Sikhs to the Modern Hierophant—Almost Simultaneous Deaths of the… Read More »The Akhund of Swat
Article Selections by A. N. Aksakoff ’s “The Scientific Hypothesis Respecting Mediumistic Phenomena”| Notes by H.P.B. [Note: Aksakoff’s article details some of the experiments performed… Read More »[Notes on Zöllner’s “Fourth-Dimension”]
[Note: for some background, see “Isis Unveiled and the Todas.” The following article was preceded by a letter from Capt. O’Grady to H.P.B. which can… Read More »The Todas
To the Editor of The Spiritualist. Sir,—I have read the communications of “H.M.” in your paper of the 8th inst [p. 110].1 I would not have mentioned… Read More »Isis Unveiled and the Todas
In the older countries of Europe and Asia there frequently occur examples of interference by the dead with the living, to which American Spiritualists are… Read More »The Cave of the Echoes
Sir,—Two peas in the same pod are the traditional symbol of mutual resemblance, and the time-honoured simile forced itself upon me when I read the… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on Indian Metaphysics
Mr. Editor:—I have read some of the assaults upon Colonel Olcott and myself, that have appeared in the Journal. Some have amused me, others I have… Read More »The Knout
To the Editor of the Banner of Light: I have just received from the Hon. Alexander Aksakoff, of St. Petersburg, a letter dated February 7th, the… Read More »Dr. Slade’s Final Triumph
Times have greatly changed since the winter of 1875-6, when the establishment of the Theosophical Society caused the grand army of American Spiritualists to wave… Read More »A Society Without a Dogma
Sir,—Permit an humble Theosophist to appear for the first time in your columns, to say a few words in defence of our beliefs. I see… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on the Views of the Theosophists
[Note: for some background, see “Honours to Madame Blavatsky,” by Charles Sotheran, Banner of Light, February 2, 1878; H.P.B. in her Scrapbook notes that “I have received… Read More »The Author of Isis Unveiled Defends the Validity of Her Masonic Patent
Dear Sir:—In New York, where many people, who hearing the name of Tiflis, will face the serious problem of placing this city in their geographical… Read More »Letter to the Editor of the “Tiflis Messenger”
Editor, Journal: Dear Sir:—I must beg you to again allow me a little space for the further elucidation of a very important question—that of the “Elementals”… Read More »Kabalistic Views on “Spirits” as Propagated by The Theosophical Society
A wise saying that which affirms that he who seeks to prove too much, in the end proves nothing. Professor W. B. Carpenter, F.R.S. (and… Read More »Dr. Carpenter on “Tree-Trickery” and H. P. Blavatsky on Fakir “Jugglery”
Editor, Journal: Dear Sir—I perceive that of late the ostracized subject of the Kabalistic “elementaries,” is beginning to appear in the orthodox spiritual papers, pretty often.… Read More »“Elementaries”
Tradition declares that on the dead body of Hermes, at Hebron, was found by an Isarim, an initiate, the tablet known as the Smaragdine. It contains, in… Read More »Tabula Smaragdina (The Emerald Tablet)
ISIS UNVEILED A MASTER-KEY TO THE MYSTERIES OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY. BY H. P. BLAVATSKY [2 Volumes, Unabridged, Single HTML File] “Cecy… Read More »Isis Unveiled
It is to be regretted that your incandescent contemporary, The Sun, should have no better sources of information. It stated on Saturday last that: “in Russia… Read More »The Jews in Russia
To the Editor of The Sun: Sir—At the ceremony of “feet-washing” which occurred at Limwood campground, Aug. 8th, and is described in The Sun of today, Elder Jones,… Read More »Washing the Disciples’ Feet
[Note: for background and context, see newspaper articles of the time about the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78)] To the Editor of The World: Sir—The Sublime Porte has… Read More »Turkish Barbarities
To the Editor of The Sun: Sir—As, in your leading article of May 6th, I am at one moment given credit for knowing something about the… Read More »Buddhism in America
The Doctrines of a Faith which in its Purity has no Dogmas. Its Practical Workings as a Religion. The Story of Jesus Christ Anticipated by… Read More »Catechizing a Buddhist
[Note: the wording between the two printings of this letter to the editor(s) differed slightly, including the title. The exact wording here is from The Sun,… Read More »Various Slanders Refuted
At a meeting of the Theosophical Society, held this day, the statement having been read from a London journal that D. D. Home, the medium,… Read More »To the Public [re: the T.S.]
[Note: see also “Madame Blavatsky Protests” on the same subject.] To the Editor of The Sun: Sir—However ignorant I may be of the laws of the… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on Fakirs
To the Editor of The World: Sir—There was a time when the geocentric theory was universally accepted by Christian nations, and if you and I had… Read More »Madame Blavatsky Protests
[Note: for the interview H.P.B. refers to in this letter, see “A Coming Buddhist Book”] To the Editor of The World: Sir—In my benighted country such… Read More »Concerning Gods and Interviews
[Note: H.P.B. protested to some follow-up articles in the day’s newspapers, which either twisted or misunderstood her meaning about gravitation and her reference to fakirs,… Read More »A Coming Buddhist Book
To the Editor of the Banner of Light: Sir—As I see the issue that has been raised by Dr. Hallock with Mr. Huxley, it suggests to… Read More »Huxley and Slade: Who is More Guilty of “False Pretences”?
To the Editor of the Banner of Light: Sir—Despite the constant recurrence of new discoveries by modern men of science, an exaggerated respect for authority and… Read More »(New) York Against Lankester
[Note: for some background, see “The Russian Investigation & “Psychophobia” in Russia”] Special Correspondence of the Banner of Light. New York, June 15th, 1876. Dear Sir,—By the last… Read More »The Russian Scientists
[Note: for some background, see “The Russian Investigation & “Psychophobia” in Russia”] To the Editor of The Banner of Light: Dear Sir,—I take the earliest opportunity… Read More »Mediums, Beware!
To the Editor of the Banner of Light: Dear Sir,—I have received from St. Petersburg the protests of Professor Butleroff and the Honorable Alexander Aksakoff, with… Read More »“Psychophobia” in Russia
To the Editor of the Spiritual Scientist: Dear Sir,—In advices just received from St. Petersburg, I am requested to translate and forward to the Scientist for publication, the… Read More »The Russian Investigation
[Note: H.P.B.’s letter was preceded by the following Editor’s Note. For further context, see previous editions of the Spiritual Scientist, Banner of Light, and other magazines,… Read More »A Crisis for Spiritualism
To the Editor of the Spiritual Scientist: Dear Sir,—For the last three months one has hardly been able to open a number of the “Banner,” or… Read More »Madame Blavatsky Explains
We were a small party of merry travellers. We had arrived at Constantinople a week before from Greece, and had devoted fourteen hours a day… Read More »The Luminous Circle
[Forward from the republication in The Theosophist:] The story which follows was written by the editor of this magazine some years ago at the request of… Read More »A Story of the Mystical: Can the “Double” Murder?
The circumstances attending the sudden death of M. Delessert, inspector of the police de sûreté, seems to have made such an impression upon the Parisian authorities… Read More »An Unsolved Mystery
In future times, when the impartial historian shall write an account of the progress of religious ideas in the present century, the formation of this… Read More »Inaugural Address of the President-Founder of the Theosophical Society
To the Editor of the Spiritual Scientist:— Sir,—In my country, and in every other recognized as civilized, except America, a man who defames and slanders a… Read More »A Letter from Madame Blavatsky
The title of the Theosophical Society explains the objects and desires of its founders: they seek “to obtain knowledge of the nature and attributes of… Read More »Preamble of the Theosophical Society
Happening to be on a visit to Ithaca, where spiritual papers in general, and the Banner of Light in particular, are very little read, but where, luckily,… Read More »The Science of Magic