Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Swami Dayanand Saraswati was the founder of Arya Samaj. He opposed ideal worship, caste system and religious creed.

He was also one of the greatest religious and social reformers of the 19th century. He became a sanyasi at a young age. He studied Sanskrit and acquired knowledge of Vedas and other sacred books of Hindus.

Do you know, who founded Arya Samaj?

Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded an organization known as the Arya Samaj in 1875 in Mumbai. His slogan was �Back to the Vedas� as he believed the Vedas contain the truth of science and religion. He started a movement known as Shuddhi (purification) to bring back the people who transformed their religion to Islam and Christianity.

The Arya Samaj opened many schools and colleges for boys and girls. They are known as DAV (Dayanand Anglo-Vedic) Schools. He was the first reformer who talked about �Swaraj� and aroused patriotism among the Indians.

Do you know, what are the Ideals of Arya Samaj?

The Ideals of Arya Samaj are �

The supremacy of Vedas � His motto was �Go back to the Vedas�.
Monotheism � To have faith in one God.
Opposition to Social Evils � It disregarded the caste system.
Shuddhi Movement - To bring back the people who transformed their religion.
Equality of Women � The Arya Samaj opposed child marriage and the purdah system.
Satyarth Prakash � This book was written by Swami Dayanand that contains the philosophy, religious and social teachings of the Arya Samaj.

Exercise:

1. When was Arya Samaj founded?
a) In 1870
b) In 1865
c) In 1872
d) In 1875

2. Who is the founder of Arya Samaj?
a) Raja Rammohan Roy
b) Ramakrishna
c) Swami Vivekanand
d) Swami Dayanand Saraswati

3. Which book was written by Swami Dayanand Saraswati?
a) The Status of Women in India
b) Gopal Prakash
c) Meditation and its Methods
d) Satyarth Prakash

4. What was the slogan of Swami Dayanand Saraswati?
a) Vande Mataram
b) One God and One Religion
c) Go back to the Religion
d) Go back to the Vedas

5. What is the full form of DAV?
a) Dev Anglo-Vedic
b) Dayanand Ancient-Vedic
c) Devanand Anglo-Vedic
d) Dayanand Anglo-Vedic

Read More:
Raja Rammohan Roy: Biography, Brahmo Samaj - MCQs - Class 8