Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Why in the News?
The Prime Minister recently addressed a program to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, an influential philosopher and social reformer in 19th-century India.

About Swami Dayanand Saraswati:

• Birth and Life: Born on 12th February 1824, Swami Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883) was a prominent figure in the social and religious reform movements of India.
   

Arya Samaj and Vedic Schools:

• Addressing the Fragmentation of Hindu Society: Dayanand Saraswati aimed to reform the fragmented Hindu society of his time. He criticized the Brahmins for distorting the Sanatan Dharma to maintain their own power and influence, keeping the common people away from Vedic knowledge.
• Satyarth Prakash (1875): In his book Satyarth Prakash, Dayanand called for a return to Vedic principles, which he believed had been distorted over time. His work became a cornerstone for Hindu reform.
• Formation of Arya Samaj (1875): He founded Arya Samaj as a monotheistic order that rejected ritualistic practices and social dogmas prevalent in traditional Hinduism. The Arya Samaj aimed to unite Hindus based on Vedic teachings and played a significant role in social reforms and education.
• Vedic Schools: Before establishing Arya Samaj, Dayanand had set up multiple Vedic schools (Gurukuls) modeled after Western missionary schools, to challenge the Brahmins' monopoly on Vedic knowledge and provide accessible education based on Vedic principles.
   

Dayanand Saraswati’s Philosophy:

• Human Respect and Social Reforms: His teachings emphasized respect for all individuals, advocating for the benefit of humankind over individual or idol worship.
• Caste System Reform: Dayanand did not oppose the caste system outright but supported reform, arguing that caste should not be hereditary but based on one’s abilities.
• Against Untouchability: He strongly opposed untouchability, attributing it to the domination of Brahmins. He advocated for the inclusion of all castes in Vedic education.
• Women’s Rights: Dayanand was an early advocate for women's education and campaigned against child marriage and other regressive practices.
   

Legacy of Swami Dayanand Saraswati:

• Impact on Nationalism: His criticism of British colonial rule from a religious perspective helped shape the nationalist discourse in India. He is credited with coining the term “Swaraj” (self-rule) in 1875, which later became a cornerstone of the Indian freedom struggle, adopted by leaders like Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi.
• Consolidation of Hinduism: Through Arya Samaj, he popularized the idea of converting to Hinduism, especially among lower-caste individuals, offering them social respect and equality.
• Education and Institutions: Dayanand's legacy continues today through the Arya Samaj centers across India and the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools, which provide quality education, especially in remote areas. The DAV schools have become highly popular over time.
• Recognition by Leaders: India’s second President, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, called Dayanand Saraswati "a maker of modern India."