2. Dawn of the ray of hope
On Phalgun Krishna Dasmi 1881 Vikrami, corresponding to 12th February 1825, in
village Tankara of Gujrat, as a ray of hope a child was born in the prosperous family
of Shri Karsanji Tewari. He was named as Mool Shankar, who was later known as
Swami Dayanand Saraswati enlightening the world with the light of the Vedas and
saved the world from the depth of ignorance.
3. The Upnayan Sanskar
When Mool Shankar was eight years old, upnayan ceremony was performed. He
was made to remember Gayatri mantra, sandya and verses form religious books
by heart. He also started recitation of Yajurveda hymns.
4. The Dawn of realization of the ultimate truth
Mool Shankar decided to keep a fast, and stay awake all night and worship the idol of
'Shiva' on Shiva Ratri Falgun Krishna 14, 1894. In the middle of the night all the devotees
fell asleep. Mool Shankar observed a rat running on the idol and eating the offerings. The
doubt flashed in Mool Shankar's mind how could the idol be omnipresent Shiva if he could
not protect his own food from a mere rat. He woke up his father and asked this question,
but was not satisfied with his father’s reply. This event made him clear about the futility of
idol worship and he took a vow of having darshan of the true Shiva.
5. Rise of the feeling of renunciation
When Mool Shankar was 16, his younger sister died of cholera, despite all treatment.
Mool Shankar deeply thought about the inevitability of death. No one who takes birth,
can escape death. He thought that some means should be found to get rid of this
agony of death, and obtain salvation. It was that time that Mool Shankar started to
think of renouncing worldly life.
6. Ever since the event of Shivratri, Mool Shankar's mind was in a turbulent state.
He was studying in a village miles from Tankara. His parents were planning to
get him married. When he saw the preparations of marriage, he decided to
renounce the family. In 1846 Mool Shankar left his life of luxury and affection of
parents. He had no intention to return as he was destined to be Maharishi
Dayanand.
The Grand renunciation
7. Mool Shankar left for the village Saila to meet Yogi Lala Bhakt to learn yoga in
order to conquer death and attain darshan of the true Shiva. On the way he
met some thugs who persuaded him to renounce his costly items. He willingly
gave all his ornaments and clothes to the thugs and proceeded on his journey
to a higher mission.
Renouncing ornaments & costly clothes
8. Having renounced the worldly life and taking a vow of celibacy, Mool Shankar took a
new name, Shudh Chaitanya. He came to the conclusion that the path to darshan of
the true Shiva and conquering death was through Yoga. So when ever he heard of a
yogi, he went there. Several times he came across yogis whose aim was only to
deceive and misguide ignorant people, for selfish gains. This disappointed him, and
he continued his search for a true yogi.
Search for the ultimate goal
9. Brahmchari Shudh Chaitanya (Mool Shankar) stayed at Kot Kangra for three months
but could not get the Guru he wanted. He came to know that his pursuit could succeed
in the Sidhpur Mela, so he started for the town. On his way he met someone he knew
and disclosed his plan to go to Sidhpur and never to return home. This man conveyed
his intentions to his father. His father reached Sidhpur fair and was very angry to see
him in a Sanyasi clothes and tore his garments, Mool Shankar apologized and agreed
to return home with his father.
Last Meeting of father & son
10. Though Shudh Chaitanya had apologized to his father to calm his anger, his father
deployed a few guards to look after him. On the other hand Shudh Chaitanya also
did not deter from his firm intention and was always in search of an opportunity to
escape and to break the bondage of worldly ties. On the third night, the guards,
became negligent and fell asleep. Shudh Chaitanya got up and started with a utensil
so that if caught he could say that he was going to ease himself.
Escape from the custody of guards
11. Having renounced his family, Shudh Chaitanya eagerly wanted to be initiated as a
Sanyasi. He requested Chidashram Swami but was refused initiation as they thought
he was too young. He then approached Swami Purnanandji. who observed his
intense desire and capability, and finally initiated him and gave him the name Swami
Dayanand Saraswati. Thus started the journey for great reformation of Swami
Dayanand Saraswati.
Initiation as an Sanyasi
12. Maharishi was a symbol of compassion and kindness. He never agreed to killing of
animals for eating, as he preached that meat is not the natural food for man.
One day a Raj Pundit of Tehri invited Maharishi for a feast. When Maharishi reached
there, he saw a pundit tearing off and cutting meat. He was much disgusted. He at
once returned from there. It was but natural for a person of his kindness and affection
to show extreme dislike for meat eating.
Dislike for non-vegetarianism
13. Having heard about the fame of Swami Virjanandji, Swami Dayanand reached Mathura
and knocked on Swami Virjanandji’s door. Swami Virjanandji asked from inside "who’s
there ?" Swami politely replied, " My quest to know who am I, has brought me to this
door." Swami Virjanand opened the door and asked "what books you have studied?"
Swami Dayanand named several books. Swami Virjanandji replied, "If you wish to
study under my guidance, forget all you have studied till now. Here you will study only
the books authored by true rishis.“ Swami Dayanand agreed, and this meeting proved
a boon for the whole humanity.
The quest is to know who am I?
14. While studying in Swami Virjanandji's ashram the duties allocated to Swami Dayanand
were to fetch water from river Yamuna, and to clean the ashram. One day Swami
Dayanand was cleaning, and Swami Virjanandji happened to step on the heap of
garbage. This angered Swami Virjanandji and he started beating Swami Dayanand with
a stick. Not caring for his own pain Swami Dayanand began to massage his guru's
hands. This is really an ideal of devotion for the guru.
The ideal of devotion for teacher (Guru)
15. Upon completion of his education in the ashram of Swami Virjanandji, the moment
of farewell from the Guru arrived. Swami Dayanand gathered a handfull of cloves
and urged his Guru “Sir, a beggar like me has nothing to offer as Guru Dakshina.
Please graciously accept these cloves and bless me.”
Guru Virjanandji replied “The country is suffering from ignorance, blind belief and
other social and religious evils. Take the light of truth of Vedas and enlighten the
humanity. This will be your Guru Dakshina.” Swami Dayanand devoted his whole
life in compliance of Guru's commands.
Farewell offerings for the Guru
16. Maharishi Dayanand had discourses with various Bishops on the topic of soul, creation
of universe and the Vedas. The Bishop read out a hymn claiming it to be from Vedas.
Swamiji asked from which 'Veda' you have quoted it, to which the Bishop had no answer.
Bishop remarked "Swamiji you can be imprisoned by such questioning." Swamiji replied,
“I am not afraid of such challenges. I can not leave propagation of truth for any fear or
temptation”.
Discourses with Christian Missionaries
17. Maharishi reached Haridwar on 1st March 1867 at the time of Kumbha Mela. On this
occasion, religious figures of different Hindus sects had gathered there. Young
Dayanand closely observed their deeds in the name of religion. In compliance of his
promise given to his guru, Swamiji hoisted a flag in front of his cottage and wrote the
words, " Flag for refutation of blind beliefs," and started his discourses. Here Swamiji
renounced all his possessions such as books, utensils, garments, and kept only the loin
cloth(langoti). He became a true paramhans saint.
Pakhand Khandni Pataka; Flag to refute blind beliefs
18. The Hindu society of four varnas based on virtues, profession and nature, had
degenerated into caste system, based on birth only. It also led to unsociability and
depressed classes. Swami Dayanand tried to educate people on true varna system. This
also included creation of unity in Hindu Society and to eliminate restrictions on sharing
meals and having marriage alliances. One day a 'nai' (Barber) brought meals for
Swamiji. Another person remarked since the bread was brought by a low caste Hindu it
should not be accepted. Swami Dayanand remarked, "The bread is of wheat only" and
gladly accepted the meal from the 'nai'.
This is only wheat bread
19. A number of Pauranik pundits had failed to prove the authenticity of idol worship from the
Vedas, and had acknowledged their defeat. Pt. Angad Shashtri, a renowned pundit, was
persuaded to have discourse with Maharishi. He tried his best, but was so deeply
influenced by the logic in Swamiji’s discourses and the evidences quoted from the
Vedas, that ultimately he exclaimed, “Swamiji what you are saying is the only truth.” He
drowned his idols in the river Ganga, and several other pundits also followed him. This
brought great name and fame to Maharishi.
Idol Worship
20. One day Maharishi was meditating on the banks of river Ganga in Prayag. He saw that a
lady came with the dead body her son, made the body float in the river, but took away
with her, the coffin from the dead body. Under the extreme pressure of poverty she could
not let even the coffin flow in the river. Maharishi was deeply moved by this scene. He
thought that India which was once known as the golden bird, was reduced to such
poverty.
Maharishi decided to devote his whole life to relieve people from distress, rather than to
focus for his salvation only.
The Second Turning Point
21. The magnetic personality of Maharishi, attracted the masses. Several incidents in his life
proved his extra-ordinary physical strength. One day, Maharishi was passing through the
market and saw two bulls fighting. The people of the market, were terrified, they advised
Swamiji not to keep going. Ignoring the warnings, Swamiji went ahead fearlessly, and
separated the bulls. People were much astonished by Swamiji’s strength and
fearlessness.
Embodiment of physical strength – Through Yoga and Celibacy
22. Maharishi possessed a wonderful personality. By his deep learning and effective, fluent
and authentic oration he attracted masses in thousands, yet he did not have the least
element of pride and extended his affection and kindness to everyone who came into his
contact. One day his devotee, suffered from fever. When Maharishi came to know about
this, he went to his cottage and started massaging the sick devotee’s forehead. When he
requested him not to do so, the Maharishi spoke with affection and said, “It Is the
duty of all of us to help and serve one another.”
Maharishi - Kind hearted to his devotees
23. Maharishi Dayanand had devoted his life for the revival of the Vedas, equal rights for
women, removal of the social evils, rigid customs and blind belief. He also preached for
nation’s independence. His devotees requested him to established an organization
which could continue his work in perpetuity. Hence, on 7th of April1875, The Arya Samaj
was established in Bombay (Mumbai). It’s principles and rest of by-laws were drafted
when Arya Samaj was established in Lahore. The Ten Principles and rest of the bye
laws were finalized by Maharishi himself. At the first Arya Samaj, there were mere 100
members. Swamiji preferred to continue to serve the causes he had championed
and only be recognized as a member.
Establishment of the Arya Samaj
24. Maharishi Dayanand possessed a strong physique. He very often preached about
glory of celibacy and Yoga. Sardar Saheb made fun of his celibacy. When Sardar
Saheb was about to start in his carriage of two horses, Maharishi caught hold of the
rear wheel of the carriage. In spite of whipping by the driver, the horses could not
move at all. When the driver and Sardar Saheb looked back they observed Swamiji’s
grip of the wheel. Swamiji did this only to convince Sardar Saheb about the glory and
greatness of celibacy and yoga.
The Glory & greatness yoga
25. Maharana of Udaipur, a devotee of Swamiji offered him the priest hood of ‘Ekling
Mahadeva’ with large property and very big annual income. The only condition was
that Swamiji should stop condemnation of idol worship.
In slight angry tone Maharishi replied “I can go away from the area of your state in
one run but I cannot run away from God’s Empire. How can I stop preaching
truth by such petty temptation.”
Petty temptation and resistance with strong resolve
26. To ensure that the mission of reforming the society and of revival of the Vedas may
continue, during his Udaipur stay, Maharishi drafted his will on 27th Feb,1883. He got
the will registered in the court of Udaipur establishing The Paropkarini Sabha. Maharaja
Udaipur was the first Chairman and among other members Shri MahaDeo Govind
Ranade, Shri Gopal Hari DeshMukh, Shri Shyamji Krishna Verma were nominated.
Establishment of Shrimati Paropkarini Sabha
27. Maharishi Dayanand simplified his learning and teachings for the good of the humanity in
the book, “Satyarth Prakash”. Satyarth Prakash, is the essence of the thousands of
books studied by Maharishi. Satyarath Prakash contains 1542 evidences from the four
Vedas and also from Brahmin granths, upnishads, the six darshans (schools of
philosophy), the smratis, puranas, the sutra granths, Jain and Budh scriptures, the Bible,
Koran and references from 373 books. It is an encyclopedia of religious teachings and
treasure house of ideas relating to every aspects of life. In the picture along with
Maharishi is Pundit Bhimsen who worked as a clerk Writer.
The Satyarth Prakash
28. The uncompromising and firm preaching of truth by Maharishi made many people his
enemies, who conspired to take his life. On 29th Sept, 1883, Swamiji’s cook, Jagan
Nath, served him milk with crushed glass. At night Swamiji felt uneasy and he knew that
this had been administered. He called Jagannath and said, “You do not know the
damage you have done for the public welfare, as by my death now, my work will be left
incomplete.” Having said this he gave all his savings to Jagannath and advised him to
run away to Nepal, so that people would not find him and harm him. So unparalleled
was Maharishi’s pardon to the person who killed him.
The Unparallel Pardon
29. Maharishi was in extreme pain. Even in this condition, his patience, tolerance and
calmness was astonishing, as if he was in an unfathomable ocean of divine bliss.
Maharishi asked that all doors and windows be opened and started singing Vedic hymns,
and went into the state of samadhi. He then opened his eyes and said, “O Omniponent
Merciful God, if this is thy will, may thy will prevail.” He exhaled a deep breath and thus
departed his soul.
O God! May Thy will prevail – The Parting words
30. The Principles of Arya Samaj
1. God is the primary source of all true science and of all that can be known through it.
2. God is Existent, Intelligent and Blissful. He is Formless, Almighty, Just, Merciful, Unborn, Infinite,
Unchallengeable, Beginningless, Incomparable, the Support and Lord of all, Omniscient, Imperishable, Immortal,
Fearless, Eternal, Holy and the Maker of the universe. To Him alone worship is due.
3. The Vedas are scriptures of true knowledge. It is the duty of all Aryas to read them, hear them being read and
recite them to others.
4. We should always be ready to accept the truth and give up untruth.
5. All action should be performed in conformity with Dharma, that is, after due consideration of the right and wrong.
6. The primary aim of the Arya Samaj is to do good for all, that is, promote physical, spiritual and social well-being.
7. We should treat all people with love, fairness and due regard for their merit.
8. We should aim at dispelling ignorance and promoting knowledge.
9. One should not only be content with one's own welfare, but should look for it in the welfare for others also.
10. One should regard oneself under restriction to follow altruistic rulings of the society, while all should be free in
following the rules of individual welfare.
31. We hope you have enjoyed this brief presentation!
Please feel free to distribute this snippet on the life of a true rishi,
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati.
