Swami Dayananda Saraswati

Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1824–1883) was a Hindu philosopher, social reformer, and the founder of the Arya Samaj. He was a staunch advocate of Vedic revivalism, rejecting idol worship, superstitions, and religious dogma. His teachings emphasized rationalism, social justice, and self-reliance, making him one of the most influential thinkers of 19th-century India.

Swami Dayananda Saraswati: Birth and Early Life

Swami Dayananda Saraswati was born on February 12, 1824, in Tankara, a town in present-day Morbi district, Gujarat. His father, Karshanji Lalji Trivedi, was a well-to-do tax collector, and his mother was Yashodabai. His family belonged to an affluent Brahmin lineage.

At birth, Swami Dayananda Saraswati was named Mool Shankar Tiwari (the surnames Tripathi, Trivedi, and Tiwari were often interchangeable in certain Brahmin communities). He was also affectionately known as Dayaram during his childhood.

Early Education

Mool Shankar’s formal education began at the age of five. By the time he turned eight, he had mastered Sanskrit and started studying the Vedas under his father’s guidance. By the age of 14, he had gained deep knowledge of the Yajurveda and hymns from other Vedas, marking the beginning of his journey toward religious and philosophical enlightenment.

Early Spiritual Awakening

During his teenage years, two tragic events profoundly impacted Mool Shankar’s worldview—the untimely deaths of his sister and uncle due to cholera. These personal losses led him to deeply ponder the meaning of life, death, and human suffering.

His father arranged his marriage, in accordance with societal norms. However, Mool Shankar rejected the idea of marriage and sought a deeper spiritual purpose. In 1846, at the age of 22, he renounced his family and home, embarking on a lifelong quest for truth and self-realization.

Ascetic Life (1846–1871): The Search for Truth

For about the next twenty-five years, Swami Dayananda Saraswati lived as a wandering ascetic, dedicating himself to spiritual enlightenment. He traveled extensively across India, meditating in forests, remote retreats in the Himalayas, and various pilgrimage sites.

He firmly believed that material wealth and worldly pleasures were temporary and insufficient for true happiness. His relentless pursuit of spiritual wisdom shaped his philosophy of Vedic revivalism and social reform.

Meeting His Mentor: Swami Virajanand Dandeesha

In 1860, while on his spiritual journey, Dayananda Saraswati met Swami Virajanand Dandeesha (1778–1868), a blind sage and Vedic scholar in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. This encounter proved to be a turning point in his life.

Swami Virajanand strongly believed that Hinduism had drifted away from its original Vedic roots, becoming corrupted by rituals, idol worship, and superstitions. Under his guru’s guidance, Mool Shankar underwent rigorous Vedic training, rediscovering the true essence of the Vedas.

Before parting, Swami Dayananda Saraswati made a solemn promise to Swami Virajanand—that he would dedicate his life to restoring the Vedas’ rightful place in Hinduism and eradicating ignorance and religious corruption.

Teachings of Dayananda Saraswati

The teachings of Swami Dayananda Saraswati centered on Vedic revivalism, social reform, and rational thought. He sought to purify Hinduism by eliminating superstition, idol worship, and blind rituals, advocating instead for a return to the original Vedic principles. His key teachings include:

1. Return to the Vedas – He emphasized that the Vedas are the ultimate source of truth and should be the foundation of Hindu philosophy and way of life.
2. Monotheism – He rejected idol worship and polytheism, advocating belief in one formless God (Omkar Brahman).
3. Opposition to Superstition – He condemned astrology, untouchability, and meaningless rituals, urging people to adopt a scientific and rational approach to life.
4. Social Equality – He fought against caste-based discrimination, promoting the idea that all humans are equal regardless of birth.
5. Women’s Rights – He strongly supported women’s education, widow remarriage, and equal rights, opposing child marriage and the oppression of women.
6. Education for All – He emphasized universal education, founding Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools to spread modern and Vedic knowledge.
7. Suddhi Movement (Religious Purification) – He encouraged reconversion to Hinduism for those who had left it, promoting Hindu unity and pride.
8. Swadeshi & Nationalism – He was among the first to call for Swaraj (self-rule), inspiring many leaders of the Indian freedom movement.

His teachings laid the foundation for Arya Samaj (founded in 1875), a reformist movement that continues to promote truth, righteousness, and social reform.

Foundation of Arya Samaj in April 1875 in Bombay

On April 7, 1875, in Bombay, Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement aimed at reviving Vedic teachings and eliminating social evils such as idol worship, caste discrimination, and blind faith.

Click here to read the 10 Principles of Arya Samaj propounded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

Also read: Influence of Arya Samaj on Modern Society

Also read: Arya Samaj Role in Inspiring Nationalist Leaders

Assassination Plot and Death

In 1883, the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Jaswant Singh II, extended an invitation to Swami Dayananda Saraswati, seeking his wisdom and guidance. The Maharaja, deeply interested in Dayananda’s teachings, expressed his desire to become his disciple and lead a life based on Vedic principles.

During his stay at the Jodhpur palace, Swami Dayananda happened to witness the Maharaja in the company of a courtesan named Nanhi Jaan. Recognizing that such indulgences contradicted the path of Dharma (righteousness), he advised the Maharaja to renounce immoral acts and uphold the values of a true Arya (noble person). However, this counsel deeply offended the courtesan, who saw it as an insult and resolved to take revenge.

The Assassination Plot: On the night of September 29, 1883, Nanhi Jaan bribed Dayananda’s cook, Jagannath, instructing him to lace his evening glass of milk with finely ground glass shards. Unaware of the treachery, Swami Dayananda consumed the milk and soon experienced unbearable pain. Within hours, his health deteriorated, and he became bedridden, suffering from internal injuries that caused immense agony.

Realizing the severity of the situation, the Maharaja arranged for medical assistance, summoning doctors to treat him. However, by the time they arrived, Dayananda’s condition had worsened significantly.

Struggle for Survival and Neglect in Ajmer: As his health declined, the Maharaja, acting on the advice of the British Residency, arranged for Swami Dayananda to be transported to Mount Abu for treatment. However, his condition did not improve, and on October 26, 1883, he was shifted to Ajmer in hopes of receiving better medical care.

Unfortunately, the Rajadhiraj of Shahpura, Sir Nahar Singh Bahadur, who had been influenced by anti-Arya Samaj literature, showed little sympathy for Dayananda’s plight. His prejudices prevented any significant medical assistance from reaching the ailing reformer. Without proper treatment, Dayananda’s condition continued to worsen.

Death: On the morning of October 30, 1883, the Hindu festival of Diwali, Swami Dayananda Saraswati breathed his last

Conclusion

Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s life was dedicated to spiritual awakening, religious reform, and social justice. His teachings laid the foundation for modern Hindu reform movements, inspiring future generations to seek knowledge, reject superstition, and embrace Vedic wisdom. His contributions continue to shape Hindu thought and philosophy today.

Sources:

• Swami Dayanand Saraswati Organization – https://www.swamidayanand.org/aboutswamidayanand