MAHARISHI SWAMI DAYANAND & EDUCATION

− February 1824: Born at Tankara, Gujarat, India to Karshanji

Lalji Tiwari and his wife Amrithbai.
− His childhood name was Mool Shankar, and he was also
called Dayaram.
− He memorised the 1875 chapters of the YajurVeda at the
age of 12.
− At the age of 14, he was struck by rodents nibbling the
prasad offered to the idol during MahaShivaratree, he
resolved to look for the real GOD.
− Upon the demise of close relatives, the elders could not
provide logical answers to his further queries about life and
death.
− He left the worldly comforts & his parents’ house to quench
his thirst for true knowledge.
Maharishi Swami − Mool Shankar adopted the life of an ascetic and became
Dayanand known as Swami Dayanand.
(1824-1883 A.D.) − 1860: he met his guru & mentor, Swami Virjanand Saraswati
near Mathura. [GURU: gu: darkness; ru: light- i.e. one who
makes you reach towards light from darkness.]
− After finishing his education (2 ½ years), Guru Virjananda asked him to spread the
knowledge of the Vedas in society as his gurudakshina (tuition-dues) and Swami
Dayanand answered the call through the rest of his lifetime.
− 1875: he founded the Arya Samaj as a universal association (samaj) of noble persons
(Arya) and emphasised that it was not any new sect or religion.
− Wrote many books amongst which the Satyartha Prakash [The Meaning (artha) of the
Light (prakash) of Truth (satya)] stands as a masterpiece.
− October 1883: he attained Nirvana (the soul departed the mortal frame of its own free
will) after a month of bodily sufferings from the effects of lethal substances mixed in
milk.
− He caused a paradigm shift on various disbeliefs: idol-worship, animal sacrifices,
ancestor worship, pilgrimages, priestcraft, offerings made in temples, the caste system,
untouchability, child marriages and discrimination against women on the grounds that
all these lacked Vedic sanction, dogma and symbolism contrary to common sense and
logic.

Writing on education, Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati emphasises in the third chapter

of the Satyartha Prakash that the highest duty of parents is to educate their children.
He stated that both state and society should make it compulsory upon all to
send their children to school and concludes by adding that depriving a child of
education should be considered as a serious offence.

Education, he adds, is a path for the steady advancement of mankind towards

happiness and is achieved through the following: (i) Acquisition of true knowledge; (ii)
Development of sweet and amiable tempers; (iii) Cultivation of truthfulness and similar
virtues (free from vanity and uncleanliness); (iv) Enlightenment of the mind of those in
ignorance by imparting true knowledge; (v) Promotion of the welfare and happiness of
all; and (vi) Engagement in selfless service (Nishkama sewa)

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati spelt out that the Vedas are the first efficient sources
of true knowledge and that the verses are not only meant for chanting. They are
imbued with both spiritual and mundane knowledge. Education is broadly divided into
two types:
(1) Spiritual [truthful in words, deeds and thoughts; balanced living, that is - alike in
joy and sorrow; self control, namely – refrain the mind from evil pursuits to foster

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virtues (justice, prudence, temperance, faith, hope, charity, goodness, uprightness,
moral excellence];
(2) Mundane [science, mathematics, economics, arts, music, politics, history,
geography, information and communication technology, etc.]

Education should aim at a the overall development of mankind (physical, mental /

moral / spiritual & social) to achieve excellence whereby our vision would be krinvanto
vishwamaryam (making the whole world noble - in character, deeds (words &
thoughts) and attitudes. Man’s mission is to do good to the whole world that is, to
promote the physical, spiritual & social welfare of all (6th principle – Arya Samaj).

To succeed in this mission we need to [1] tune in ourselves with the laws of nature; [2]
practise the teachings of Dharma, after due reflection over right and wrong, accept
truth and reject untruth; [3] act with love and justice (purity of conviction of one’s
soul); (4) promote true knowledge (realisation of the subject & object) and dispel
ignorance / illusion; [5] give due consideration to community welfare rather than be
satisfied with own advancement; [6] abide by common laws in matters pertaining to
the community.

Education of children starts as early as conception. The performance of various

samskaras (sacraments) is in line with the world recognition that the mother’s womb
is the first and most important phase in the moulding of the personality of a child.
Over and above rituals, the samskaras have scientific backgrounds.

Teachers are duty bound to perfect their knowledge, cultivate virtues,

promote sound behaviours, gain in strength (body & mind) and grow in
happiness. They would be the role models for their students and as such need to
exercise extreme care. They need to treat all students alike, be they princes or
common folk.

Students should devote their heart and soul to studies. They should not
neglect their health, and studies. They should selflessly serve their parents and
teachers. They should love virtue and shun vice. Moreover we should all encourage
children to develop any skill or talent that the child may possess. The path to lead a
balanced life is dictated by neither being involved in inordinate desires and nor its
total absence.

Education should not be misinterpreted as an indifference to the acquisition

of wealth, power, etc. The ultimate aim, liberation / salvation (Moksha), is
sustained through the three pillars, namely – righteousness (Dharma), financial
soundness (Artha), and worldly bliss (Kama).

Our daily programme for a complete development would encompass the following: [a]
Waking up before sunrise (to benefit from nature - traditional and modern medicine all
acknowledge that the rays from the rising sun striking the body are vital to promote
sound health); [b] bathing / body cleanliness; [c] Pranayama (breathing exercise) &
yoga (to promote a sound physique); [d] meditation to expand the brain usage
potential, awakening of our inner force; [e] purification of the atmosphere through
oblations to the fire (aromatherapy through evaporation, sublimation, etc.); [f] due
consideration to other living organisms; [g] Selfless service towards the elderly; [h]
adherence to Dharma (righteousness) throughout our daily activities (including the
intake of food and drinks).

Education is the basis of all future development. It is rightly said that the child
is the father of man. The solid foundations established during student life
(bramcharya ashram) would enable further consolidation in married life (grihastha
ashram), and afterwards at vanaprasha and sanyasa (renunciation stage).

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Vedic education aims at the illumination of understanding: dhiyo yo naha prachodayat
(gayatri mantra). It includes citizenship education, an essential element of complete
education which modern education had failed to foster over the last two centuries.
Mankind is going back to the roots to achieve excellence, peace and harmony.

Pt. Bramdeo Mokoonlall

Project Manager & Arya Updeshak, Arya Sabha Mauritius
Tel: 2122730, 2087504; Fax: 2103778; e-mail: aryamu@intnet.mu

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