Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati was a heroic figure in India’s glorious past. In this world, the highest form of penance and rigorous discipline is required in the pursuit of true knowledge. In ancient times, when a disciple approached a guru, he did so with utmost humility. Yet, even then, the guru would often ask the disciple to return after a year of practicing devotion, penance, and truth. Only after proving his dedication would the disciple have his questions answered—if the guru deemed himself capable of answering them. This shows the disciple’s immense faith and perseverance. True curiosity can only be satisfied through such patience and devotion. In the face of struggle, not breaking down is the essence of life.
Consider the sun—it spreads its rays over the earth only after immense struggle. It never deviates from its path or purpose. Likewise, when a river emerges from the earth, it fights many battles before flowing freely. Recall the sacred Ganga; it was brought to earth through relentless penance by King Bhagirath, an ancestor of Lord Rama. Only after years of austere penance was Mother Ganga able to nourish the Indian subcontinent.
Siddhartha, upon seeing a sick person, an old man, and a corpse, detached himself from worldly illusions and became Gautama Buddha. Similarly, Samarth Guru Ramdas, upon hearing a spiritual call, abandoned his wedding and embarked on a journey that ignited the flame of Swarajya. From this fire emerged Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who defeated the Mughals and established a Hindu kingdom.
In a time when hollow rituals and blind superstitions dominated religion, when society cried out in misery and women’s voices were silenced by suffering, only great leaders could rise to restore balance. Such times gave birth to extraordinary individuals. The birth of such enlightened souls is a monumental event in history. Their noble personalities, profound thoughts, and influential deeds leave an everlasting mark on generations.
India has always been a fertile land for divine personalities. The renowned Gujarati writer Kanhaiyalal Maniklal Munshi wrote that whenever such individuals appear on the stage of history, other forces lose their vigor. Time seems to pause, and history itself gathers around these figures. India’s past is adorned with such personalities—Parshuram, Krishna, Chanakya—and among them stands Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, a vanguard of India’s religious, social, and cultural revival.
Gujarat, the land of Karma Yoga exemplified by Lord Krishna, nurtured luminaries like poet Narmad and Mahatma Gandhi. This very soil gave birth to the ascetic Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, who renounced all for the welfare of mankind. Born as Moolshankar, Dayanand’s transformation began with a profound realization during his youth. On Shivratri, while observing a fast, he noticed mice running over a Shiva idol. Doubt struck him: Could this idol, worshipped as the omnipotent, truly be divine if it allowed such desecration? His father explained that the idol represented Lord Shiva of Mount Kailash, but was not Him in person.
This moment led Moolshankar to question blind faith and resolve to seek the true, eternal Shiva through his own intellect and effort. One’s thoughts are one’s true strength. From Maharshi Dayanand, we learn the power of unwavering resolve. His steadfast character remained unshaken by praise, criticism, loss, or gain.
While disease, sorrow, aging, and death may not disturb the average person, such events often define the lives of deep thinkers and visionaries. For Maharshi Dayanand, a pivotal moment came when, during a family celebration, his sister suddenly fell ill and died. The shock deeply affected him and awakened a sense of renunciation. He pondered: One day, I too shall die. From that day forward, he was inspired to seek freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
The sudden passing of his pious uncle further deepened this detachment. These events shaped Dayanand into a fearless warrior of truth and enlightenment. His journey of spiritual penance inspired countless individuals to walk the path of truth—not just for self-realization, but also for nation-building.
Let us take a pledge today—to walk in the footsteps of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati and illuminate our lives with the true light of knowledge.
Pandit Brahm Dev Vedalankar Ji is a revered Arya Samaj scholar known for his deep Vedic knowledge and dedication to promoting the teachings of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati. His profound wisdom, inspiring discourses, and commitment to truth and equality have made him a guiding light for many, fostering spiritual growth and social harmony.