Born in 1824 in Tankara, Gujarat, his original name was Mool Shankar. His parents, Karshanji Lalji Tiwari and Yashodabai, belonged to a Brahmin family. It's likely he received a traditional education for a young Brahmin boy, learning Sanskrit and possibly some Vedic texts.
Spiritual Awakening: A pivotal moment came when he witnessed an incident that challenged his faith in idol worship. This, along with the deaths of loved ones, sparked a deep desire to understand the true essence of Hinduism. In search of answers, he left home at a young age (around 1846) and embarked on a journey as a wandering ascetic. This period lasted for nearly 25 years.
Meeting his Guru: During his travels, he encountered Swami Virjanand Saraswati, a blind scholar, in Mathura. This meeting proved to be transformative.
Swami Virjanand Saraswati's Influence: Swami Virjanand not only became his Guru but also bestowed upon him the name Dayanand. He instilled in Dayanand the importance of reviving Hinduism based on its original Vedic principles.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati's teachings were a blend of reforming Hinduism, social activism, and nationalistic fervor. Here's a breakdown of the key points about his preachings:
Back to the Vedas:
Vedic Supremacy: He considered the Vedas as the ultimate source of knowledge and advocated for a return to their teachings. This movement was called "Go Back to the Vedas."
Suddhi Movement: He emphasized the purification of religious practices based on Vedic principles. This included rejecting later additions and interpretations.
Revival, not Regression: His goal wasn't to return to a bygone era but to revive the true spirit of Vedic religion based on reason and social justice.
Social Reform and Critique:
Beyond Salvation: He challenged the dominant focus on moksha (liberation) and emphasized the importance of social service and ethical living.
Social Evils: He strongly criticized prevalent social practices like idol worship, the rigid caste system, and child marriage. He advocated for women's education and upliftment of the downtrodden.
Selective Traditionalism: While opposing some traditions, he believed in the Vedic notion of the four varnas (social classes) based on merit and aptitude.
Marriage Age: He advocated for suitable marriage ages, suggesting 16-24 for women and 25-40 for men.
Philosophical and Religious Views:
Monotheism: He believed in one supreme God, separate from the soul and matter (prakriti), which he considered eternal entities.
Science and Religion: He welcomed scientific advancements and believed they could coexist with faith.
Karma and Reincarnation: He upheld the traditional Hindu beliefs in karma and reincarnation.
Opposition to Other Religions: He criticized certain aspects of Islam and Christianity.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati's legacy extends beyond his teachings. His significant contributions:
Literary Works:
Early Work: His first major publication was "Panchmahayajya Vidhi" in 1874, focusing on Vedic rituals.
Influential Writings: He authored several influential works, including "Satyartha Prakash" (The Light of Truth), a treatise on his philosophy, and commentaries on the Vedas ("Veda Bhashya Bhumika" and "Veda Bhashya").
Social Reform Movement:
Arya Samaj: In 1875, he founded the Arya Samaj, a social reform movement that aimed to revitalize Hinduism based on Vedic principles. The movement, with its headquarters later shifting to Lahore, played a crucial role in promoting education, social justice, and women's rights.
Paropkarini Sabha: Established in 1882, this society in Ajmer focused on publishing and disseminating his works and Vedic texts, furthering his message.
Nationalism and Self-Rule:
Pioneering "Swaraj": He is credited with coining the term "Swaraj" (self-rule) in the context of India, advocating for Indian independence in 1876. This concept later became a rallying cry for the Indian freedom movement, adopted by prominent leaders like Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati's life ended abruptly, but his influence continued to shape India.
Mysterious Death: Swami Dayanand Saraswati died in Ajmer under suspicious circumstances in 1883, shortly after criticizing the Maharaja of Jodhpur. The cause of death remains unclear.
DAV Schools: Despite the controversy surrounding his death, his legacy lived on. The Arya Samaj established the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) Schools, with the first one opening in Lahore under the leadership of Mahatma Hansraj. These schools continue to provide quality education in India.
"Maker of Modern India": Swami Dayanand Saraswati's impact extended far beyond religious reform. He is considered a key figure in shaping modern India. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India's second president, aptly called him a "maker of modern India."