Swami Dayananda: A Great Preacher

He acquired a universal image when he got several requests even from the western scholars to deliver lectures on divinity. Therefore Swami called on Col. Olcott, the founder of the Theosophical Society and the only interest in this alliance was that a nucleus for the propagation of Vedic faith may be formed in the west also. But his dreams could not finalise because of his cut short life. But an eminent scholar Pt. Shayamji Krishan Varma was picked up by Swamiji who later became a professor of Sanskrit at Oxford. But he could not conform to the Swami's ideas to propagate the Vedic philosophy. But Swamiji wrote to him, " It is very strange that so many years have elapsed and you have acquired no fame in that country." But Pt. Varma has joined some political activities consuming biggest chunk of his time. Therefore Swamiji's dreams to propagate Vedic

1. The God is called the Brahama, the most high, who permeates the whole universe; he is truth, intelligent and happiness; whose nature attributes and doings are holy; who is omniscient, incorporeal; all pervading; unborn; infinite, almighty, just and merciful and lord of the creation. 2. The four Vedas, the repository of the knowledge and religious truth are the word of God. They comprise what is known was Samhita Mantra Bhag only. The commentaries on the four Vedas are following in the conformity of the Vedas only. 3. That which is devoid of partially which includes justice and equity which teaches truthfulness of thought, speech and deed and in conformity with god's will, I call it dharma. But where one finds injustice, teaches untruthfulness of thought, speech and deed of which is agnostic to the will of god, I call it Adharma. 4. God requires no intermediaries to deal with men. In the beginning, the world he gave them the Vedas for their guidance in life. He has no need to send and never sent any prophets to propagate to carry on his message. Men must suffer the consequences of their acts. 5. He thought that no one is bestowed Mukti or freedom from transmigration but everyone either man or woman has to achieve it himself. No avtara, father, mother, son of god or acharya can give it. 6. Accept the truth whatever found and reject the untruth. An Arya should always be ready to accept truth and to renounce untruth. 7. Everyman should even keep before him, whatever he does and wherever he lives, the good of mankind as a whole. Though all such principles of the Arya Samaj must be taken his principle teachings and which according to him should guide mankind in his life have universal application. The universal character of his teachings is almighty.

He said that all men are entitled to know and practice the truth when they find it and nobody has the right to prevent anyone from seeking and accepting the truth and light. He advocated not only the reconversion of Hindus converted to other religions but to bring them to the Vedic faith. Therefore his teachings are acclaimed throughout the world which are above communal or sectarian voices. These are good for all the men having the ideas universal acceptability either in past, present of future. They inculcate no new religion of faith nor are they in anyway elective in character. They embody truth which was taught by god at the time of Creation. His teachings when viewed dispassionately, would be found universally applicable, where minds are free from prejudice, prepossession and partiality. Peace, a Development Ingredient: The present world scenario is pining for peace but every effort in this direction has not been achieved with much positive results. They have become materialistic which cannot bring mental peace at all but only physical bhogas. To him, internal and external peace is obtained not from outer sources but eternal bliss. And there is no other way to acquire internal peace but to look to east. In the words of a scholar, "...east is poor; east is ugly; east is black and the worst thing that east is still under the domination of the western influence either material or technical. We look to the outward descent appearance, but not to the black heart within. But east is still standing tall spiritually. The Patriot Within: He added the view that India had lost her freedom, because her people had lost their character. His remedy, therefore, was to raise the character of the people by bringing them to the Vedic culture. Later Gandhiji echoed the same thought when he said that the movement for the Swaraj has movement for self-participation. Being precursor of Gandhi in all his freedom programmes i.e. moral regeneration of the nation, unity of the people, emancipation of women, upliftment of the downtrodden, khadi and cottage industries, Hindi as our lingua franca, cow protection and new orientation, to our education. Gandhiji reaped what Dayananda

His Tenets in the Contemporary Scenario: Very soon after the World War II, the western countries began showing signs of fatigue and mutual cool hatred and it will be soon tired of materialistic outlook as it has failed to bring a word of happiness in them. It has already grown sick and when such tendencies are swept away, spiritualism will hold its hold over the whole world. Recent economic meltdown has stunned the whole word with its ugly face and the people had to suffer a lot. We observe and are forced by the eternal instinct to look to the great sages like Dayananda to seek salvation from modern temptations. He once said, "The sole aim of my life, which I have also endeavoured to achieve, is to help, to put an end to this mutual wrangling, preach universal truths, bring all the men into the fold of one religion whereby they may cease to hate each other instead, may firmly love one another, live in peace and work for their common weal. May this doctrine, through the grace help of god, and with the support of the truthful, honest and learned. Who are devoted to the cause of humanity, reach every nook and corner of this earth so that all may acquire righteousness, wealth, gratify legitimate desires and attain salvation and thereby elevate themselves and live in happiness. This alone is the chief object of my life."Thus the day is not far when the whole world will rise above communal, sectarian and hemispherical bounds and say this Vedic hymn:

achievement if seen in contemporary scenario. But the human mind has ever thought to have a sigh of relief to the effect that such internal bickering may come to an end and the learned may so spread the doctrines all over the world to facilitate everybody's endeavour in the advancement of virtue, wealth, godly pleasures and salvation so that peace, prosperity and happiness may ever reign in the world.

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Assistant Professor in History, SMDRSD College, Pathankot E-Mail – rajnithakur690@gmail.com