Swami Dayanand Saraswati (born Mool Shankar Tiwari) was a visionary Hindu philosopher, social reformer and the founder of the Arya Samaj.
He was born on 12 February 1824 at Tankara in present-day Gujarat. At the age of 14 he experienced a defining moment when he witnessed mice crawling over a Shiva idol during a vigil and began to question prevalent idol-worship and ritualism.
He left his home to pursue higher spiritual truth and later became the disciple of Swami Virjanand, taking up Vedic studies, and pledged to revive the Vedic path.
In 1875, he established the Arya Samaj, a reform movement built on the principle “Back to the Vedas”. He strongly criticized caste-based discrimination, idolatry and ritual excess, while advocating social equality, women’s education and Vedic learning for all.
At a time when religious practices and social norms continue to evolve, his call for clarity, rationality, equality and ethical living is still deeply relevant.
Whether it’s in education, social reform or cultural identity, his emphasis on revisiting original wisdom and removing superstitions offers a path for modern spiritual and social renewal.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s life stands as a bridge between ancient Vedic wisdom and modern reform. By awakening a vision of righteous living, learning and social equality, he laid foundations for a meaningful and enlightened society.
His legacy invites us all to examine our beliefs, live with clarity and contribute to a more inclusive, enlightened world.