Preface
MY AIM, in writing this book, is to present Swami Dayanand as a great reformer who made a most notable contribution to modern Hinduism. He was, perhaps, the first great Indian who made it clear that the various unwholesome social and religious beliefs and practices, prevalent amongst the Hindus, were not an essential and inseparable part of Hinduism, as it had come to be believed by foreign scholars and by most Indians themselves. He gave a fresh interpretation of Hinduism in the light of its ancient Vedic phase.
The introductory chapter attempts a rather elaborate account of Hinduism as it has prevailed from the beginning of Christian era right down to the present times. It provides a background for understanding the contribution which Swami Dayanand has made to the revitalization of Hinduism. In the last chapter the nature of Hinduism has been discussed to bring out its fundamental character. It is so unlike the ordinary conception of religion, being without a historical founder, a common scripture, a common form of prayer, or even a definite conception of God.
The chapters in-between give a short biography of Dayanand, an exposition of his religious, philosophical, social and political views, and an elucidation of the principles on which he founded the great organization of the Arya Samaj.
It is the author's conviction that Swami Dayanand did not want the Arya Samaj to be a sect among other sects of Hinduism.
Introduction
SWAMI DAYANAND was a great social and religious reformer of modern India. When he began his work in the latter half of nineteenth century, Hinduism had lost its old vigour and was practically in a moribund condition. All sorts of evils had crept into Hindu society. The old fervour of the ancient Aryans was gone and a spirit of indolence, lethargy and fatalism had taken its place. Things have greatly changed since then. We find unmistakable signs of awakening in present-day Hinduism. It can be said with definiteness that Swami Dayanand played a most important part in Hindu renaissance in the modern period. As Romain Rolland puts it, "Dayanand transfused into the languid body of India his own formidable energy, his certainty, his lion's blood. His words rang with heroic power." Before, however, we dwell on the contribution made by Dayanand to modern Hinduism, it would be worthwhile to get an idea of the religious and social conceptions and practices that prevailed among the Hindus at the beginning of the modern period.
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