Deva Samaj

This sect was founded in 1887 at Lahore by Shiv Narain Agnihotri, an erstwhile follower of Brahmo Samaj. The teachings of the Samaj were compiled in book form in Deva Shastra. The teachings of the Deva Samaj emphasise the Supreme Being, eternity of the soul, the supremacy of the Guru and’ need for good action. The Samaj prescribed ideal social conduct and moral ethics, such as not accepting bribe, abstaining from gambling, intoxicants, non-vegetarian food and violence. The movement, however, lost its popular appeal after 1813, when Agnihotri appointed his second son, Devanand, to succeed him.