News Highlight
Dayanand Saraswati inspiration for PM vision, Home Minister stated.
Key Takeaway
- The Home Minister praised Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati for bravely spreading “swaraj, swabhasha, and swadharma” during the pre-Independence era, when it was prohibited, and urged the Arya Samaj to do the same.
- The Maharshi established it to expand its outreach, particularly among adolescents.
- It is to join the government’s efforts in accomplishing the “Samruddha Rahstra” (prosperous country) objective.
Dayanand Saraswati
- About
- He was an Indian philosopher, social leader, and the founder of the Arya Samaj, a Vedic dharma reform organisation.
- In 1876, he was the first to demand Swaraj as “India for Indians,” a call later taken up by Lokmanya Tilak.
- Additionally, he attempted to revive Vedic principles while condemning idolatry and ritualistic devotion.
- Birth
- He was born on February 12, 1824, into a Brahmin family in Tankara, Gujarat.
- Lalji Tiwari and Yashodhabai, his parents, were traditional Brahmins.
- He was previously known as Mool Shankar Tiwari because he was born during the Mool Nakshatra.
- For fifteen years (1845-60), he journeyed as an ascetic in quest of truth.
- Furthermore, Dayananda’s ideas were published in his well-known book, Satyarth Prakash (The True Exposition).
- Ideology
- He trusted in the Vedas’ unassailable authority.
- Dayananda was a proponent of Karma and Reincarnation.
- He stressed brahmacharya’s Vedic values, such as celibacy and devotion to God.
- Additionally, he claimed that Hinduism had been corrupted by deviation from the foundational principles of the Vedas.
- As well as, the priesthood had misled Hindus about the priests’ self-aggrandisement.
Arya Samaj
- About
- Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Hindu monotheistic socio-religious movement Arya Samaj in Bombay, India, in 1875.
- It promotes behaviours and beliefs based on the authority of the Vedas and their significance in Hinduism.
- Its mission is to restore the original spirit of Hinduism among the masses, based on two fundamental tenets:
- Monotheism
- Infallible authority of the Vedas
- British India benefited from Arya Samaj’s educational, spiritual, religious, and social reforms.
- Significance
- The Arya Samaj established a minimum marriage age to discourage child marriage and improve the position of women in society.
- According to this, the marriageable age for a girl was 16 years and 25 years for a boy.
- The Arya Samaj campaigned for human welfare following natural disasters such as floods, famines, and earthquakes.
- It has always been at the forefront of promoting education.
- Even after Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s death, Arya Samaj prioritised education for the public.
- They established the D.A.V. Colleges.
- In 1886, the first D.A.V. College was established in Lahore.
- Arya Samaj was successful in restoring Hindus’ confidence and self-esteem.
- It aided in reducing the influence of westernisation on Hinduism.
- It started the Shudder movement to purify Hindus corrupted by other religions.
- The Shudder movement also attempted to convert untouchables and lower-caste Hindus to pure-caste Hindus.
Arya Samaj around the world
- Even though the Arya Samaj was founded in Bombay, India.
- It later spread throughout the country, having its headquarters in New Delhi.
- The movement began in India and has since extended to nations such as;
- Kenya, Armenia, Guyana, Nepal, Russia, the United States, Uganda, The Netherlands, Tanzania, Trinidad, Myanmar, Mauritius, South Africa, Malawi, and others.
Pic Courtesy: News Track
Content Source: Times of India