Introduction to the life of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati (Essay)

Preface

Whenever the sins increase more on this earth, the loss of religion starts, then many great men incarnate on this holy holy land and take the initiative to end the sufferings of the people. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was also one of them. Dayanand Saraswati was born in our country at a time when our country was facing many crises and calamities. We Indians were held in the reins of foreign rule and many evils surrounded us from all sides. Swami Dayanand was a great social reformer of Hindu religion and patron of Arya culture. Maharishi Dayanand taught people the lesson of hard work and diligence in place of industry and indolence

Birth

Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati was born February 12, 1824 in Tankara village of Maurvi state of Gujarat province. Your father Shri Ambashankar was a true worshiper of Shiva and was a big landlord of the village. Your childhood name was ‘Mool Shankar‘.

Education

Dayanand Saraswati early education was done at home only. Your family was full of all kinds of comforts. Your study work started according to the Vedic tradition according to the tradition. At the age of eight, you were duly taught Gayatri, Sandhyopasana along with Yajnopavit Sanskar. Due to having a sharp mind, at the age of 12, you had got enough tan of Sanskrit.

Incident of Shivratri

One or the other incident happens in the life of great men, due to which their life changes. Something similar happened with Swami Dayanand as well. When the child Mulshankar was only 13 years old, the festival of Mahashivratri came. Moolshankar also kept a fast on the advice of his father and came to the Shiva temple in the evening. The whole temple was full of devotees. Shiva was worshiped by Veda mantras, rituals. Moolshankar, the root of inquisitive nature, kept awake the whole night with the desire to have darshan of Lord Shiva. In the middle of the night Moolshankar saw that a rat was sitting comfortably on the Shivling and eating the prasad. Thousands of questions started arising in Moolshankar’s mind that when Lord Shiva, who is the protector of the whole world, is unable to protect himself from even a common mouse, then how can he do welfare of the whole world. Since then, disloyalty to Lord Shiva was born in his mind. Seeing all this, Mulshankar’s father became very angry with him. But Mulshankar became an opponent of idol worship and started searching for true Shiva.

In such dilemma moments Moolshankar’s sister and uncle died suddenly. This sad incident shook him to the core. They started thinking that everything in the world is mortal. At the age of 21, on the day of your marriage, you left home and went to the forest and became a monk. But even after becoming a sannyasin, your curiosity did not calm down because you still did not know the wonderful secret of the soul and the Supreme Soul.

Meeting with Swami Virjanand and Guru Dakshina

To satisfy his curiosity, Dayanand Saraswati visited many Yogis, Mahatmas and religious places, but he could not find peace anywhere. Traveled from place to place and finally he met the great saint Yogiraj Swami Virjanand Ji Maharaj of Mathura, despite being blind, was expert in the subjects of Puranas, quietness etc. You studied the Vedas for about 35 years at the feet of Swami ji, by which all the knots entangled in his heart were solved. When Dayanand ji wanted to give Guru Dakshina to his Guru at the end of his education, Virjanand Maharaj said, “I want this Guru Dakshina from you that you go everywhere in the country and abroad and spread the knowledge of Vedas.”

Dayanand Saraswati set out for the propagation of the Vedas after getting Guru ji’s permission and blessings. He toured many parts of the country, everywhere he used to debate with scholars, pundits, wise men and all were influenced by his thoughts. He established ‘Arya Samaj’ in different parts of the country. Refuting superstitions and customs, he opposed idol worship. On reaching the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, he unfurled the ‘Khandinipataka’ of hypocrisy. Apart from idol worship, you also spoke against dowry-practice, child-marriage, caste-caste and untouchability. You were of the opinion that God is one, He is formless. In this context, one of your great books ‘Satyarth Prakash – was written. After this, you also composed high quality books like ‘Rigveda ki Bhumika’, ‘Bhanu’ and ‘Vedang Prakash’. He wanted the people of India to attain true knowledge through these Vedas. He also laid special emphasis on celibacy and made the general public aware of its importance. Expressing immense love for his country, Swami ji had said, “I pray to God every morning and evening for the development of the countrymen and to get a respectable place in the world, that the merciful God should free my country from foreign rule soon.”

प्रसारवादी सिद्धान्त से आप क्या समझते हैं? प्रसारवाद के प्रमुख सम्प्रदाय बताइए।

Death

Once Swami ji went to the court of Jodhpur king. There a prostitute was sitting near the king, which Swami ji strongly opposed. Due to this, the prostitute started hating Swami ji. As a result, that prostitute mixed poison in milk and gave it to Swamiji through a cook. Due to the same poison, this great soul became peaceful forever on October 30, 1883.

Epilogue

Undoubtedly, Swami Dayanand Saraswati was a man of the era, who will always be revered on the screen of time. The establishment of ‘Arya Samaj’ by you created a special awakening in the Hindu society. Today, because of your tireless efforts, DAVs have been established all over the country. Schools and colleges have been established You had also made many efforts to give special respect to women. Because of all these favors of yours, the world will always be indebted to you.