200th Birth Anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Table of Contents
Introduction to 200th Birth Anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati UPSC
Recently, PM Narendra Modi was virtually addressing an event in Tankara Gujarat. This event was organized to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati at his birth place Tankara Morbi district. In that event PM said that We need a comprehensive education system that is mainly based on Indian values.
Knowing about Swami Dayanand Saraswati on his 200th Birth Anniversary becomes crucial for those who are preparing for major competitive examinations in India. If you are also preparing for such exams as UPSC, SSC & more and also wants to know about Swami Dayanand Saraswati, then in this blog, we have added a complete & comprehensive details about Swami Dayanand Saraswati in detail.
So, let’s start-
Read Also | What is Medaram Jatara Festival?
Why Swami Dayanand Saraswati is in News? – UPSC Current Affairs
Swami Dayanand Saraswati is in the news due to widespread celebrations across many parts of India commemorating his 200th birth anniversary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an event organized in Tankara, Gujarat, the birthplace of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, as part of these celebrations.
During the event, PM Modi emphasized the significance of an education system rooted in Indian values, highlighting Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s contributions in exposing the impact of orthodoxy and social issues on society.
The occasion served as a platform to honor the legacy of the Arya Samaj founder, with events and discussions reflecting on his teachings and principles.
Source – The Hindu
Who was Swami Dayanand Saraswati?
Swami Dayanand Saraswati (1824–1883) was a prominent Indian scholar, philosopher, and social reformer who founded the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement, in 1875. Born as Mool Shankar in Gujarat, he later adopted the name Swami Dayanand Saraswati after sanyas from his worldly life.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati advocated for the promotion of Vedic knowledge and the rejection of idol worship and other practices he considered contrary to the original teachings of the Vedas. He emphasized the importance of Vedic scriptures, rational thinking, and social reform.
Swami Dayanand played a significant role in promoting social equality, women’s rights, and education in India during the 19th century. His teachings and the Arya Samaj had a lasting impact on the socio-religious landscape of India.
Summary about Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Swami Dayanand Saraswati, born as Mool Shankar in 1824 in Gujarat, India, was a renowned scholar and social reformer. He founded the Arya Samaj in 1875, promoting Vedic knowledge, rejecting idol worship, and emphasizing rational thinking.
Throughout his life, he advocated for social equality, women’s rights, and education based on Indian values. Swami Dayanand Saraswati played a crucial role in challenging orthodoxy and social evils, and his teachings had a lasting impact on India’s socio-religious landscape.
He passed away in 1883, leaving behind a legacy of reform, education, and a revival of Vedic principles within Hinduism.
Life of Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Swami Dayanand Saraswati, born in Tankara, Gujarat, on February 12, 1824, as Mool Shankar Tiwari, embarked on a spiritual quest after the deaths of his sister and uncle prompted existential questions.
Rejecting an arranged marriage, he spent nearly 25 years (1845-1869) as a wandering ascetic, renouncing materialism and immersing himself in spiritual pursuits across India.
Under the guidance of Virajanand Dandeesha, Dayanand became a disciple and pledged to restore the Vedas’ rightful place in Hinduism. Virajanand believed Hindu practices had become impure and strayed from their roots.
This transformative journey laid the groundwork for Swami Dayanand’s later role as the founder of the Arya Samaj in 1875, a reformist movement emphasizing Vedic principles and social reform within Hinduism.
Teachings of Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s teachings encompassed various aspects of philosophy, religion, and social reform. Here are 20 key points summarizing his teachings:
- Equality of Human Beings: Dayanand advocated that all individuals are equally capable of achieving anything, emphasizing the equality of all human beings.
- Eternal Entities: He posited three eternal entities: the Supreme Lord or Paramatma, Individual Souls or Jivatmas, and Prakriti or Nature.
- Vedas as True Sources: Dayanand regarded the four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda) as the only true, uncorrupted sources of Dharma, revealed by the Supreme Lord.
- Misinterpretations of Vedas: Confusion about the Vedas, according to Dayanand, arose due to misinterpretations, and he emphasized the promotion of science through Vedic teachings.
- Acceptance of Upanishads: He accepted the teachings of the first ten Principal Upanishads, along with the Shvetashvatara Upanishad.
- Vedanga and Darshana Shastras: Dayanand accepted the six Vedanga texts and the six Darshana Shastras, considering them as valuable for a correct interpretation of the Vedas.
- Rejecting Inauthentic Texts: He rejected texts like the Puranas, Upapuranas, and Tantric texts, considering them inauthentic and violative of Vedic teachings.
- Nature and Its Characteristics: Prakriti or Nature, the material cause of the universe, is eternal and characterized by Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas in equilibrium.
- Cycle of Creation and Dissolution: Dayanand explained the eternal cycle of creation and dissolution, asserting that Nature gets disturbed by the Supreme Lord for creation and returns to equilibrium afterward.
- Individual Souls: Jiva or Jivatma, the individual soul, is bodiless, eternal, and takes birth based on past Karma. Liberation (Moksha) depends on self-realization.
- Supreme Lord’s Characteristics: The Supreme Lord, characterized by Sat, Chit, and Ananda, is the efficient cause of the universe. He is bodiless, infinite, and omnipresent.
- Rejection of Incarnation: Dayanand rejected the idea of the Supreme Lord taking birth or incarnating, emphasizing the Lord’s purity beyond the influence of Nature.
- Names of the Supreme Lord: He considered names like Agni, Shiva, Vishnu, etc., as different characteristics of the Supreme Lord, not referring to Puranic deities.
- Moksha or Liberation: Liberation is a state of individual souls achieving bliss, free from the tinges of Nature. It is not a place but a state of realization.
- Four States of Existence: Jivas exist in four states: Jagrat (Wakefulness), Swapna (Dreaming), Sushupti (Deep Sleep), and Turiya (a state of liberation).
- Eternal Moksha: Dayanand clarified that ‘Eternal Moksha’ refers to the permanency of pleasures in Moksha, not implying the permanent residence of individual souls in Moksha.
- Social Causes: He vehemently opposed the caste system, Sati practice, idol worship, and child marriage, advocating thorough investigation and removal of societal evils.
- Varnashrama Based on Education: Dayanand believed in Varnashrama based on education and profession, opposing a hereditary caste system.
- One World Government: He advocated the idea of “Chakradhipatya” or One Government Throughout the World for global unity.
- Inquiry into Evils: Swami Dayanand emphasized the need to thoroughly investigate and eliminate all societal evils, aligning them with the true spirit of the Vedas.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati Missions
Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s mission was to reform Hinduism and restore it to the foundational principles of the Vedas, which he believed had been corrupted by misinterpretations and self-serving practices of priests. He founded the Arya Samaj to promote the Ten Universal Principles for universalism.
Dayanand aimed to educate people on the Vedic way of life, rejecting superstitious practices, encouraging social reforms, and advocating for equal rights for women. He challenged religious scholars, critiqued other faiths, and emphasized a universal message of justice, truth, and respect for all. His teachings influenced a global audience, promoting the ideals of self-governance, nationalism, and spiritualism.
Founder of Arya Samaj
Swami Dayanand Saraswati established the Arya Samaj, a religious and social reform movement. This organization condemned practices from various religions, such as idol worship, animal sacrifice, pilgrimages, priestly rituals, caste system, child marriage, meat consumption, and discrimination against women.
Dayanand argued that these practices were contrary to reason and the wisdom found in the Vedas, and the Arya Samaj aimed to promote a purer interpretation of Vedic principles while advocating for social and religious reform.
His views on other faiths
Swami Dayanand Saraswati had opinions about different religions, and he wrote about them in a book called “Satyarth Prakash.” Here’s a simpler explanation of his views:
1. Islam
Dayanand thought Islam was a religion involved in wars and doing things he considered wrong. He questioned if Islam had anything to do with God because he couldn’t understand why a God would hate non-believers and allow killing animals.
2. Christianity
He looked at the Bible and didn’t like some stories in it. He disagreed with ideas like Mary always being a virgin. He thought these things didn’t make sense.
3. Sikhism
Dayanand didn’t think highly of Guru Nanak and criticized Sikh followers for making up stories about Nanak having special powers.
4. Jainism
He thought Jainism was a bad religion because he believed Jains were not tolerant and didn’t like people who followed other beliefs.
5. Buddhism
Dayanand didn’t like Buddhism, calling it “anti-Vedic” and “atheistic.” He didn’t agree with Buddhist ideas about how the earth was created.
Source – Wikipedia
Who tried to kill him? – Assassination Attempts on Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Swami Dayanand Saraswati faced several unsuccessful attempts on his life. According to his followers, there were incidents where he was poisoned, but his regular practice of Hatha Yoga helped him survive.
In one instance, attackers tried to drown him in a river, but he turned the situation around, pulling them into the water before releasing them unharmed.
Another account suggests that he was attacked by Muslims who were upset by his criticism of Islam while he was meditating by the Ganges. They threw him into the water, but Dayanand, through his practice of pranayama, managed to stay underwater until the attackers left, saving himself from harm.
How he died?
Swami Dayanand Saraswati died as a result of an assassination attempt. In 1883, while staying at the palace of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II of Jodhpur, Dayanand witnessed the Maharaja engaging in unethical behavior with a dancing girl named Nanhi Jaan.
When Dayanand urged the Maharaja to forsake such actions and follow the path of righteousness, Nanhi Jaan, feeling offended, sought revenge.
On September 29, 1883, Nanhi Jaan bribed Dayanand’s cook to mix small pieces of glass in his nightly milk. Unaware of the sabotage, Dayanand consumed the glass-laden milk, leading to severe pain and bedridden days.
Despite the Maharaja arranging for medical assistance, Dayanand’s condition worsened, and he developed bleeding sores. On his deathbed, the cook confessed to the crime, and Dayanand forgave him before passing away on the morning of Diwali, October 30, 1883, chanting mantras.
What Swami Dayanand Saraswati Did in his Entire life?
Dayanand Saraswati wrote over 60 books, including a 16-volume explanation of Vedangas and writings on ethics, rituals, and rival doctrines like Advaita Vedanta, Islam, and Christianity. His major works, like Satyarth Prakash and Sanskarvidhi, are well-known.
He founded the Paropakarini Sabha in Ajmer to publish and spread his works and Vedic texts, contributing significantly to ethical, ritualistic, and doctrinal discussions.
Legacy of Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Dayanand Saraswati’s legacy extends through institutions named after him, like Maharshi Dayanand University and DAV University. Over 800 schools and colleges under D.A.V. College Managing Committee bear his name.
He played a pivotal role in India’s freedom movement, influencing leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh. His views guided the framing of the Indian Constitution. Jodhpur and Rajasthan adopted Hindi as the main language due to his influence.
Admirers included Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, and Vallabhbhai Patel. Even internationally, scholars like Andrew Jackson Davis and Sten Konow acknowledged his impact on spiritual and historical perspectives.
Key Facts about Swami Dayanand Saraswati
These are the key facts about Swami Dayanand Saraswati-
| Fact | Description |
| Birth Date | Born on February 12, 1824 |
| Birthplace | Tankara, Kathiawad region (now Morbi district of Gujarat, India) |
| Original Name | Mool Shankar Tiwari (Trivedi) |
| Early Education | Entered formal education at the Yajnopavita Sanskara ceremony at the age of eight |
| Spiritual Quest | Spent nearly 25 years as a wandering ascetic, searching for religious truth |
| Guru | Disciple of Virajanand Dandeesha |
| Founding Arya Samaj | Established the Arya Samaj in 1875 |
| Mission | Worked to reform Hinduism, promote Vedic principles, and oppose certain practices |
| Arya Samaj Principles | Enunciated the Ten Universal Principles as a code for Universalism |
| Literary Contributions | Wrote “Satyarth Prakash,” “Rigved Bhashyam,” and various other philosophical works |
| Opposition to Practices | Criticized idol worship, caste system, child marriage, and other social issues |
| Views on Other Religions | Critiqued Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism |
| Assassination Attempts | Survived several attempts, including poisoning and drowning |
| Death | Passed away on October 30, 1883 |
| Death Circumstances | Allegedly poisoned with glass-laden milk |
| Legacy | Founded Arya Samaj, a socio-religious reform movement |
| Social Reforms | Advocated for equal rights, education for all, and nationalism |
| Women’s Rights | Emphasized respect and equal treatment for women in society |
| Language | Advocated Hindi as the national language for national integration |
| Cow Protection | Expressed views on the importance of cows for national prosperity |
| Education | Emphasized education for all children, regardless of gender |
| Vedic Emphasis | Advocated a return to the teachings of the Vedas and Vedic way of life |
| Rejection of Some Texts | Rejected authenticity of certain Puranas and other texts |
| Universalism | Professed universalism for all living beings, not limited to any sect or community |
| Arya Samaj Converts | Allowed and encouraged converts to Hinduism within Arya Samaj |
| Arya Samaj Worldwide | Aimed for the global acceptance of Arya Samaj principles |
| Legacy in Reform Movements | Influenced thinkers and reform movements worldwide |
| Critique of Faiths | Applied critical analysis to various religious texts, questioning their morality |
| Interfaith Dialogues | Engaged in discussions with scholars of different faiths |
FAQs on Swami Dayanand Saraswati – UPSC Questions
Question-1: Who was Swami Dayanand Saraswati?
Answer. Swami Dayanand Saraswati was a 19th-century Indian sage, philosopher, and founder of the Arya Samaj, known for his efforts to promote Vedic teachings and social reforms.
Question-2: Why is Swami Dayanand Saraswati in the news?
Answer. Today is 11th February 2024, & on the eve of 200th Birth Anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, there are celebrations in many corners of India. This is why, he was in News. Also, PM Narendra Modi was addressing a event that was organized for 200th Birth Anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati & asks for a education system based on Indian Values.
Question-3: What did Swami Dayanand Saraswati do?
Answer. He founded the Arya Samaj, promoting Vedic principles, advocating social reforms, and critiquing various religious practices. His writings and teachings inspired many leaders during India’s freedom movement.
Question-4: Where was Swami Dayanand Saraswati born?
Answer. He was born in Tankara, Gujarat, India, in 1824.
Question-5: How did Swami Dayanand Saraswati die?
Answer. He faced an assassination attempt where he was poisoned with glass-laden milk and died on October 30, 1883.
Question-6: What were his major contributions?
Answer. Swami Dayanand revitalized Vedic teachings, founded Arya Samaj, advocated social reforms, and significantly influenced India’s freedom movement leaders.
Question-7: What is Arya Samaj?
Answer. Arya Samaj is a reformist Hindu organization founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, emphasizing Vedic principles and promoting social equality.
Question-8: Did he face opposition?
Answer. Yes, he faced opposition from orthodox groups for challenging traditional practices and advocating reforms.
Question-9: How did Swami Dayanand influence Indian society?
Answer. His teachings inspired social and religious reforms, educational advancements, and had a lasting impact on India’s cultural and philosophical landscape.
Question-10: Are there institutions named after Swami Dayanand Saraswati?
Answer. Yes, Maharshi Dayanand University, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, and numerous schools under D.A.V. College Managing Committee are named in his honor.
