PM addresses Programme on 200th Birth Anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati (1824 - 1883) | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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PM addresses Programme on 200th Birth Anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati (1824 - 1883)

Posted 12 Feb 2024

Updated 18 Mar 2024

2 min read

  • About Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati
    • Born at Morvi in Kathiawar (Gujarat) was a philosopher and a social reformer.
    • Original name: Mula Shankar.
    • Was a disciple of Swami Virajananda.
    • Founder of Arya Samaj.

 

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  • Key Contributions
    • Religious reforms: Denounced idolatry and ritualistic worship, preached respect and reverence for other human beings.
      • Believed in infallible authority of Vedas and gave slogan of ‘Back to Vedas’.
    • Social reforms: Claimed caste is not supposed to be hereditary but rather on the basis of individual’s talents and disposition.
      • Was against practice of untouchability and advocated Vedic education for all castes.
      • Opposed child marriage and forced widowhood and campaigned for women’s education.
    • Political: Gave call for 'Swarajya' as 'India for Indians' in 1876 and favoured political system based on enlightened monarchy.
    • Literary works: Satyartha Prakash, Veda Bhasya Bhumika, Veda Bhasya, etc.

 

  • Contemporary relevance of Dayananda Saraswati
    • Value-based education: Emphasis on universal truths, humanism, work for common welfare, etc.
    • Scientific temper and rational thinking: He led crusade against superstitions and orthodoxy.
    • Social justice: Eradication of discrimination based on caste, creed, sect, etc.
  • Tags :
  • Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati
  • Arya Samaj
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