Erakina

Menu
Red letter day

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati – Erakina

February 21, 2022 4 Mins Read
13.6K Views
888 Comments

This year Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti is on February 26, 2022. We remember Maharshi as a holy man who fought against social biases like casteism, child marriage, and discrimination. On Maharshi’s birthday, we take time to recollect his accomplishments and abide by his principles to lead a better and dignified life. Swami Dayanand Saraswati is accredited to lay the foundation of the Arya Samaj in 1875. The principles of Swamiji are to serve mankind and dissuade evil practices that separate humans from one another like caste and gender discrimination. 

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati is not a historical figure only. His ideologies and philosophies are still in practice and are relevant in such difficult times. Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti is carried on in several pockets of the country and globally as well with much enthusiasm. Hence this year also on February 26, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti will be celebrated to uphold the principles for which Swamiji stood his entire life. 

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti

This year Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti is on February 26

Contribution of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati to Indian Society

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati was a social reformer and philosopher who took on the herculean task to fight against social stigma. He established Arya Samaj to enunciate the Vedic dharma in Indian society. He was a true reformer who called for giving up evil practices like idol worship, castes, and discrimination against women. Swami Dayanand Saraswati focused on Vedic ideals to provide equal rights to people in society irrespective of their caste and gender. Maharshi promoted education through ancient Indian scriptures like Vedas for everyone despite their caste. Swamiji also encouraged education for women. He translated Vedic texts into Hindi to make them accessible to a greater population. 

Some of the quotes of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati are as follows:

  • “God is supreme, wise, and holy. He is pervasive, immense, just, merciful, and incorporeal. He can create, protect, and destroy the world.”
  • “The fitness of men lies in acquiring knowledge, their submission to the teachers, willingness to learn from them, and proper implementation of orders and instructions.”
  • “Music transcends language, time, and culture, though notes are the same. Indian music is unique as it has evolved and its melodies are well defined.”  

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati not only is a spiritual leader, he believed in the utmost social reformation. It insisted him call for Swaraj to defy the dominance of the British Raj. His call for Swaraj inspired Lokmanya Tilak to promote the idea for the Indian Freedom Struggle. Swamiji’s teachings and philosophies influenced eminent personalities like Sri Aurobindo, S. Radhakrishnan, Madam Bhikaji Kama, Lala Hardyal, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Ashfaq Ullah Khan among others. 

om

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati considered Om as the proper form of God

Is Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati still relevant in contemporary times?

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati is still relevant in contemporary times, though he is a man who lived a century before. The principles of Maharshi are still vibrant today as human values and morality are declining. So to find solace and get a perfect trajectory to their life, social reforming institutions like the Arya Samaj hold their significance. The philosophies of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati are still pertinent in contemporary times to better our thinking process and enhance living standards. Swami Dayanand Saraswati and his Arya Samaj have been able to provide guidance and the motto in life to scores of people around us. 

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati and his teachingsAn inspirational quote of Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Why Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti is celebrated every year?

As per the Hindu calendar, Maharshi was born in the month of Falgun on the tenth day of Krishna Paksha. In 2022, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti is on February 26. We observe Jayanti of Swamiji as a tribute to the teachings and guidance that he has provided throughout his life. Swami Dayanand Saraswati has influenced various generations and inculcated a deep sense of universalism among his followers in pursuit of spirituality. The upcoming event on February 26 marks the celebration of a new perspective to life that Maharshi has provided us. The day is celebrated among the followers of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati throughout the world. Debates, seminars, and discussions are conducted to evaluate and uphold the teachings of Maharshi even in the 21st century.  

Let’s come together to celebrate Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti will be a successful event only if we stick to his teachings and way of life. Just mere procession and discussion will not help, rather following the principles of equal rights, doing away with caste and gender discrimination will be the perfect tribute to Maharshi. Swamiji insisted to refer to the Vedas to purify our soul rather than blindly following the West. This philosophy is still applicable for our millennial.   

Shuvendu Modak

15.02.22

Erakina

 

Tags:

Share Article

Other Articles