Arya Samaj And Aryas

Arya & Arya Samaj

The meaning of the word Arya is Noble person. India was called Aryavrat, in ancient times. Swami Dayanand Sarswati  defined an Arya by specifying ten golden rules for him. A collective body of such people was called Arya Samaj by him. His ten rules are the guiding principles of Arya Samaj. But he never meant that Arya is the name of a person who follows Arya Samaj.  He addressed all the citizens of Aryavart , as Aryas in the 11th chapter of his book – Satyarthprakash. He wanted all citizens of the world to be noble hence this definition.

Aryas: The Original Inhabitants Of Bharat

The slavery of centuries first under Moghul rulers and then under English rulers destroyed the originality of Indian history. A blatant lie was introduced that ARYAs were not the original inhabitants of this country and they had come from Iran and Central Asia. They extended the lie by adding that the original inhabitants were Dravidians and Bheels who were displaced by these invaders. This wrong history was created to create a divide between northern and southern India. Swami Dayanand Sarswati opposed this wrong history with historical facts and proofs.

This Shrishti (Universe) is calculated to be 2000 million years old (Two Arab by Indian number). Swamiji established that the beginning of humanity on this earth started from a place called TRIVISHTAP; which in today’s geography is addressed as TIBET. In the beginning there was only one human race, out of which some were good and some were bad. Two parts of humanity were recognized by ‘Virtues’ and ‘Vices’. The people with Virtues were addressed as Aryas or Devas, whereas people with vices were called Dasyus (Looters). As a result of the fight between Aryas and dasyus , Aryas started living in the sub-continent part which became known as Aryavrata, because of Aryas being the original inhabitants of this part. Prior to Aryavrata, there was no name for this geographical part of the earth. There were no occupants too.

There is no evidence from any old historical books that Aryas came from Iran etc. The known chain of different clans of Aryavrata starts with Brahma, Brahmas son- Virat, Virat’s son- Manu, Manu’s ten sons Mareech etc., followed by Swayambhoo etc. 7 kings, their generations named as Icchvaku , Raghu , Ramchandra which gradually entered into Mahabharat Period of Kaurava’s and pandavas. Swami Dayanand prepared the list of generations from Maharaj Yudhistir of Mahabharat times till Maharaj Yashpal, which covered a time span of 4157 years. Swamij mentioned that Aryas were the only occupant of this part of the earth until Samvat 1248, after which the attacks of foreign invaders started. The period after Samvat 1248 is the history of all foreign attacks and their subsequent takeover of India’s sovereignty.

Aachaar–Vichaar (Thoughts and deeds)

As per Arya Samaj – cleanliness of one’s life system is more important than all his religious deeds. Arya Samaj gives priority to a person’s life system over anything else. One will appreciate that some of the rules made for becoming a managing committee member or office bearer in an Arya Samaj are unique in the world, such as such person should not be –

·         Involved in any immoral business

·         Should not be consumer of any kind of stimulants like tobacco, wines, liquors or drugs

·         Should be faithful to wife/husband

·         Should not be a non vegetarian

Swadhyaya and Satsang ( Self study and group study of religion)

Aryasamaj believes in the theory- Practice before you preach. Swadhyaya or self study is a process of sitting with oneself. We can become noble by studying and following noble things. Satsang means sitting in the company of noble people for gaining their knowledge and goodness. Sitting with noble people also gives us an opportunity to learn something good and practice the same in life. There are examples of families in which there have been great religious people known for their noble qualities but whose next generations were not the same- reason was that there was no practice of Satsang in those families.

For an organization like Arya Samaj, which is born out of its fight against wrong practices in Hindu Society, both these practices are like oxygen which will keep the future generation as logical and right as their forefathers.

Yagya  or Yajna (Havan)

 The definition of Yagya is very wide in Arya Samaj. People generally believe that offering oblation to the fire is only Yagya – the fact is that it is only one form of yagya if done with proper system. Arya Samaj calls all those acts – ‘Yagya’ which are done for the welfare of other living beings. All achievements - not only religious but also in other fields – which are with the objective  of  welfare of human beings or living beings is Yagya. Unfortunately even the sacred process of Yagya was also contaminated by some people by adding provisions like animal sacrifice to it. Wrong believes were inculcated that by animal sacrifice, one can get whatever he desires or will be sent to heaven after death etc. Arya samaj is a staunch protester against such cruel practices.

Aryasamaj believes in the theory of Panch-mahayagya; the set of five types of yagya are as follows-

·         Brahm-yagya : Thanksgiving to Ishvar, study of Vedic books etc.

·         Dev-yagya : Purification of atmosphere by performing agnihotra which spreads huge benefit to everyone in surroundings because the offerings which are burnt in the fire gets multiplied of its strength and benefits masses as a whole.

·         Pitru-yagya: The service to the parents, teachers, elders like grandparents and other elders by providing them food, cloths, medicines and whatever they require along with extreme respect and love of heart.

·         Atithi-yagya: Services offered to Sanyasis (Who gave up their families for welfare of world) as well as all other guests.

·         Balivaishvadev-Yagya : Offering food and other helps to all living beings like human, birds, animals etc.

The performer of all these five yagyas can attain the highest respect and love in this world.

Woman’s place in Yagya

Arya Samaj gives equal rights to woman in the yagya or Agnihotras. It is essential for a married couple to perform the agnihotra together whether it is daily havan or on special occasions. Swami Dayanand has emphasized on the need of daily agnihotra by both husband as well as wife; in his book Sanskarvidhi.

Historically, there are references in Ramayan as well as Mahabharta that women used to perform Agnihotra in those times. Unfortunately in later periods some people spread wrong belief that women should not take part in yagya. Swami Dayanand fought to bring back this lost right to womanhood.

Agnihotra ( Ritual of worship with fire)

Aryasamaj has been instrumental in popularizing the Agnihotra in hindu society. Aryasamaj has provided a simple process (vidhi) of performing havan, which is followed by people all over the world. The process involves chanting of ved mantras while offering oblation of air purifiers in the form of ghee and many other dried roots and leaves of vegetation, which are proven as the reliever of so many diseases for mankind and also generate sweet and pleasing smell. The vast atmosphere spreads the benefits widely; people in reach unknowingly get benefitted.

The process includes praise and prayer to Ishvar. It gives an opportunity to the whole family to sit together and thank Ishvar for whatever they have got in life.

Yagyopaveet ( Janeoo - holy thread across chest)

Yagyopaveet or Upnayan Sanskar is one of the sixteen sanskaras of human life recommended by Swami Dayanand in his book Sanskar Vidhi. Ideally this sanskar is due when a child is ready to start his or her basic education. This is a thread which is worn around the neck and one hand diagonally across the chest. The word Yagyopaveet means – getting closer to yagya.

Aryasamaj gives huge importance to this practice because this practice is associated with Education of life. When a newly declared student- boy or girl- wears this around his body, he is given a huge responsibility towards his/her parents, teachers and society at large. The thread reminds him day in and day out of his/her commitments. This responsibility continues during his Student(Brahmcharya) life as well as Married (Grahasth)  and Vanprasth life. Only during Sanyas he is freed from this debt to all.

The major difference in the belief of Arya Samaj and many others is that Arya Samaj gives the right to wear the Yagyopaveet to everyone who is ready to attain education- irrespective of whether he is born as a Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya or Shudra; irrespective of gender too. Hindu Brahmins had spread a belief that this is the right of every Brahmin only, irrespective of his being a student or not; while others , in spite of being excellent students,  because of being born in families of Kshatriya, Vaishya or Shudra were deprived of this sanskar. Arya Samaj opposed this thought process tooth and nail.

Sandhya

Aryasamaj performs its expression of prayer and worship to Ishvar with the mantras from Vedas only. Each handpicked mantra in the set of such mantras is full of deep meaning and treasures of great thought. The worship by reciting this select set of mantras is called Sandhya.  The contents of mantras of Sandhya include Ishvar’s creation and destruction of shrishti – this helps a human in staying away from false pride and wrong notions. There is prayer to Ishvar to give us noble mind so that we may do only noble deeds. The process of Pranayam (Breathing exercises) also form part of Sandhya. And the conclusive part of Sandhya is profund thanks giving to Ishvar with special mantras and bhajans ( devotional songs).Arya Samaj recommends Sandhya twice in a day- once in morning and once in evening. 

Sanskar

Sanskar is the name of the set of rituals which are recommended for every human being by Swami Dayanand Sarswati in his book – Saanskarvidhi. Every ritual has great impact on the whole family in different ways. A systematic and uniform ritual for every occasion makes the human life organized. Arya Samaj follows the sixteen sanskars suggested by Swami Dayanand, which covers different periods of life right before birth till the death of a person. The names and descriptions of the sixteen sanskars are as follows-

Garbhadhana: This sanskara is performed for the fulfillment of one's parental obligation and a continuation of the human race. This sanskara is performed after marriage and before the conception of a child. In this sanskara, the couple chants Vedic mantras for a healthy, loving and happy married life and the wish for a son or a daughter that would bring new joy in the home.


Punsavana: During the third or fourth month of pregnancy the Punsavana sanskara is performed for proper physical growth of the child.


Simantonnayana: This sanskara is performed during the seventh month of pregnancy. The parents to be and their relatives offer prayers to the Almighty for mental growth of the child.


Jatakarma: The Jatakarma sanskara is done immediately after the birth of the child. This sanskara is done to welcome the new-born child. The father writes AUM on the tongue of the child with a thin bar of gold dipped in honey. He whispers the word "VEDO-ASI" (You are Veda – the knowledge) in the ear of the child.


Naamkaran: In this sanskara the child is given a name to be addressed as during his life which expresses good qualities or which is after some Great people. This sanskara should be performed on the 11th day after the birth of the child.


Nishkramana: The 4th month after the birth of the child, the Nishkramana sanskara is performed. Here the child is taken outside the home for the first time to be exposed to the different elements of nature.


Anna-praashan: Anna means 'food' and Praashan mean 'eating or feeding' thus, giving solid food to the child for the very first time performs this sanskara.


Mundan: This sanskara can be performed between the ages of 1-3 years old. In this sanskara the hair from the child's head is shaved off for the very first time. Prayers for good health and development are being recited.


Karnavedha: The piercing of the lower lobes of the child's ears at the age of three is the activity of Karnavedha sanskara. Prayers are offered to the Almighty for the physical well being of the child.


Upnayan: Upnayan or the thread ceremony is performed anytime between the ages of five to eight years old. In this sanskar the child is given the yagyopaveet (sacred thread), which is made from three strands representing the three letters of AUM. The three strands also symbolize the three discipline of life, which are knowledge, action and devotion.


Vedarambha: This sanskara is done immediately after the upanaya sanskara. Now the child becomes a student. The child will now gain knowledge from the Vedas and other religious text as well as the other branches including mathematics and science. Thus the child will be able to progress in life spiritually as well as materially.


Samavartana: Between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-five years this sanskara is performed. This student should have now completed all his/her studies and start a new life of self-realization and independence.


Vivah: Vivah sanskara means marriage. This is one of the most important sanskara among the sixteen Vedic sacraments. This is the foundation that forms the very basis for a coordinated family life. The recommended age of marriage for men is 25 years or more and for woman it is 18 years or more.


Vaanaprasth: At an age over fifty years , a person performs the vaanaprasth sanskara by relinquishing all his worldly activities such as livelihood from which he/she will gain personal benefits. All the family responsibilities will be given to the children. This sanskar signifies the gradual detachment from worldly pleasures.


Sannyaas: This sanskara is performed at or after the age of seventy-five years. In this sanskara a person forsakes all material things and starts to lead a life of meditation and contemplation onto the Almighty somewhere away from his home. There is also a different dress code for a sanyasi.


Antyeshti: The antyeshti is the last sanskara performed when a person dies. After death this sanskara is performed when the body is cremated. As the atma (soul) is immortal, it cannot be destroyed; but the body which is made of clay, water, fire, air and ether once again returns to these elements. The lifeless human body is cremated with ghee and saamgri along with chanting of ved mantras. The material offered to the fire is designed to purify the air in spite of burning of human body. 

Yog-vidhya

‘Yog’ in Sanskrit as well as in hindi means – ‘addition’. In spiritual sense yog means addition of mind with soul, thereafter addition of soul with Ishvar . Yog is the only way to connect to Ishvar. Famous sage of history – Maharshi Patanjali has mentioned 8 components of complete Yog-Darshan (Philosophy of Yog) .These 8 components are the following- 1. Yam 2. Niyam 3. Aasan 4. Praanayam 5. Pratyahar 6. Dharna 7. Dhyan and 8. Samadhi. These components are sequential. First two – Yam and Niyam are the ideal rules of a noble life. 

Yam: Yam are of five kinds- Ahimsa (Non violence) ; Satya (Truth); Asteya ( Not to steal things from others) ; Brahmcharya ( Full control of one’s own body) ; and Aparigrah (Non-attachment) . By practicing these yamas one can get rid of all the negativities of the mind.

Niyam: Niyam are also of five kinds – Shauch (Cleanliness of body and mind); Santosh (Contentment) ; Tap (Hard work) ; Swadhyaya ( Self study) and Ishvar Pranidhan (Total surrender to Ishvar) . These niyamas develop cleanliness and strength of body, a content life, the immunity against major crisis in life, a base of knowledge from scriptures and finally ones devotion to Ishvar.

Aasan: A yogasana is a posture in harmony with one's inner consciousness. It aims at the attainment of a sustained and comfortable sitting posture to facilitate meditation. Asanas also help in balancing and harmonizing the basic structure of the human body, which is why they have a range of therapeutic uses too. The regular practice of yogasanas has an immense amount of therapeutic value. Besides various physiological benefits, they positively affect our minds, our life force energies as well as our creative intelligence.

Pranayam: For attainment of complete Yog, one has to be the master of Pranayam too. The process of pranayam is practiced sitting in a comfortable aasan (posture)- generally in ‘sukhasan’. There is a set of exercises of inhaling and exhaling the breath in a particular fashion. Praanayam helps one in attaining longer stretches of inhale as well as exhale. Such practice makes him perfect for meditation. In fact Asanas and Pranayams make a complete package for the body to remain fit, as both are complimentary to each other.

Pratyahar: Pratyahar involves rightly managing the senses and going beyond them instead of simply closing and suppressing them. It involves reining in the senses for increased attention rather than distraction. The practicner of Ishvar Pranidhan (described above) gradually gets devoted to get attached to Ishvar.It is essential to practice pratyahara for achieving the three meditative stages of dharana, dhyana and samadhi. Perfecting this technique of yog-vidhya is also essential in order to break out from the eternal cycle of rebirths.

Dharana: The last three limbs of Ashtanga-yog  are the three essential stages of meditation. Dharana involves developing and extending one’s powers of concentration. This consists of various ways of directing and controlling his attention and mind-fixing skills, such as concentrating on the chakras or turning inwards.

Dhyan: Dhyan is the state of meditation, when the mind attains the ability to sustain its attention without getting distracted. Strictly speaking, unlike the other six compnents of Ashtang- yoga, this is not a technique but rather a state of mind, a delicate state of awareness. This state rightfully precedes the final state of samadhi.

Samadhi: Samadhi, or total absorption, is the ability to become one with the True Self and merge into the object of concentration. In this state of mind, the perceiver and the object of perception unite through the very act of perception—a true unity of all thought and action. This is the acme of all yogic endeavors—the ultimate 'yoga' or connection between the individual and the universal Soul!

While discussing different types of Yog practices, it is essential to know what Yoga is not ! In today’s world people have a tendency to sell everything as Yoga. The famous Hath-yoga is no form of yoga. Practices like basti, tratak, neti and dhauti are practices of naturopathy and are not the part of Yoga. Another spread out belief that by Yoga one can enter into someone else’s body is also absurd and not acceptable. Lots of false stories are moving around in the society in the name of Yoga. Western world’s curiosity to understand Yoga created a market for so called half informed Yogis to open shop and start selling falsehood.

Naam-Jaap

Arya Samaj believes in the need of understanding God and of surrendering  oneself to him. The purpose of remembering him is a self commitment against doing anything wrong or forbidden against his system.  However Arya Samaj disagrees with the blind practice of chanting certain names like – RAM-RAM, HARE-RAM, HARE KRISHNA etc. To remember Maryada Purushottam Ram and Yogeshvar Shrikrishna , one should follow their great qualities in his life and that is true tribute to them.

The chanting of AUM in ones heart is chanting of Ishvar as AUM is the name of Ishvar and not a mortal person. There is no need of shouting loudly to address Ishvar as he is everywhere, including within us.

Arya Samaj - Not A Cult Or Sect

A Cult or Sect is identified by its founder such as a Paigambar, Guru, Avtaar, Tirthankar etc. as the followers follow the systems and rituals suggested by him. The books of a Cult or Sect are to explain their own rituals and history.

Arya Samaj is neither a Cult nor a sect as its basis of philosophy is the most ancient scripture of the world- Vedas; which is the book for the total humanity and not just for a group of people. Arya Samaj agrees the beliefs and scholars of all religions as long as they don’t contradict Vedas and the logical thinking based on Vedas. It does not believe anything contrary to Vedas even if that is suggested by an Arya Samaj Scholar for that matter.

The Ten Golden Principals of Arya Samaj do not talk about Swami Dayanand Sarswati or his written books; however it talks about Vedas and the philosophy of Vedas.

Sanaatan Dharma

The word Sanatan means- what has existed always yet is modern always; as it should be pertinent to all times. Therefore only Vedas and Veda based Vedic Dharma is Sanaatan or permanent. It is unfortunate that so called hindu gurus started calling widely known Hinduism as ‘Sanaatan Dharm’ even though it has lost its original base of Vedas. They defined Arya Samaj as something different from Sanatan and hence treated Arya Samaj as their competitor. In reality what is being called in society as ‘Sanatan Dharma’ is actually ‘Pauranik Belief’ as the Puranas have become the very basis of their practice.

Arya Samaj believes that Vedic Dharma is the only Sanatan Dharma in its true sense being based on eternal truth of Vedas.

Shastrarth (Scholarly Debate)

When one is in doubt, the only way is to ask someone more knowledgeable and get the doubt removed. When a doubt cannot be resolved merely by talking between two; then the best way to conclude an issue is by debating. The word Shastrarth is made up of two words- Shastra – which means the ‘books of knowledge’ and Arth- which means the ‘meaning’. Therefore Shastrarth is a healthy debate which may take place between two learned pundits to conclude an issue of debate. In such debates, there is always some reference book which becomes the source of finalization in case of any dispute in the debate. Arya Samaj supports Shastrarth with any religious or spiritual scholar provided the Vedas are considered to be the ultimate reference and not any other books.

Khandan-Mandan ( Contradiction Of Other Beliefs)

Lot of people have strong complaint against Arya Samaj that Arya Samaj indulges too much in criticizing practices of other religions, which is the precise explanation of Khandan and that is why the followers of other religions do not want to hear the speeches of Arya samaj.

Arya Samaj is born on the basis of its asking questions against what it does not find right. People have made it a wrong practice that no questions should be asked when it comes to matters of the Religion. This is strongly established in the minds of the followers by their respective Religious Gurus, who don’t want to face awkward questions.

Swami Dayanand Sarswati’s search for the truth started only when he raised question against the worshipping of a Shiv Ling when he found that the it could not save itself from a mouse. Swami Dayanand raised questions against wrong beliefs of the society irrespective of the religion which was involved. He challenged wrong practices of Christians, Muslims, Jains but did not spare the hindus too.

At many places in his books Swamiji has written that it was not his objective to hurt anyone’s religious feelings but his only objective was to present the truth and the absolute truth only. For his bold movement he had to face lot of opposition and brickbats from the hardcore followers of many religions. When he was staying with hindus he kept on raising his questions against hindu falsehood; when he was thrown out of hindu habitats, and he was given shelter by Muslims, he started pointing out the shortcomings of their beliefs. 

Why was Swamiji so adamant to expose the untruth and spread the truth; here are few reasons-

·         He had made a commitment to his Guru- Guru Virjanand that his life to spread the Truth will be his Guru Dakshina to him.

·         For thirty years he travelled in different parts of the country studying the wrong practices of the society based on ignorance and misguidance. During this period he read 30 thousand books of religion and philosophy to acquire the truth of life.

·         He believed in challenging the wrong rather than giving speeches like a guru. His open challenges made him what he was; merely delivering speeches would have made him into one more gurus of the society.

·         His statements were based on truth of Vedas. He said that people have played up by misrepresenting Vedas, and he was fighting to correct all those wrong notions pertaining to Vedas.

Correcting a wrong requires courage to face resistance. Practicing the right is called Mandan with reference to understanding of Arya Samaj. Todays Arya Samaj finds it difficult to practice the Khandan against wrong beliefs but it should strengthen itself in the Mandan aspect at least so that we may reject the untruth from our lives.

Gayatri Mantra (Guru Mantra)

Four Vedas contain more than 20000 mantras including one very popular mantra known as Gayatri Mantra. Gayatri is actually the name of a kind of Sanskrit form of poetry, which is used in the writing of this mantra also; there are many other mantras which are written in the same form however one particular mantra is known as Gaytri Mantra.

When a child starts his education under his Guru, Gayatri Mantra is the first mantra taught to him by his guru. This mantra is thereafter recited by the child almost every day and at every occasion. As this is the first lesson given by the Guru, this is also called Guru Mantra.

The prayer contained in gaytri Mantra is very noble. The mantra is about complete devotion to Ishvar and a prayer to be blessed with a noble mind. This prayer is treated above all prayers as a noble mind is the centre of all happiness and contentment of human life.

As every person of the earth has full right on the benefits of the Sun, Air, Water etc. similarly every person has equal right on Vedas and Gaytri Mantra. Arya Samaj does not subscribe to the giving of limited rights to certain cast and community, certain days and times or certain gender for Vedas or any mantra. No one can be deprived of reading, reciting or hearing gaytri mantra.

Further, just by reciting a mantra, be it Gaytri Mantra for that matter, no one gets any Shubh aur Ashubh results; A Mantra is effective only after one understands its meaning and tries to absorb that meaning in his heart and his actions.

Gaumata (Cow)

Ishvar provides a just born child through the breasts of his mother. After a certain age when the mother is no more in a position to feed her child her own milk, child is provided his food in the form of milk from milk providing animals like a cow or a goat or a buffalo etc. These animals are gentle by nature due to their lactating state always. A Child continues to enjoy the milk of these animals throughout his life.

Cow has a special place in our hearts for the simple reasons that the milk of the cow is the most suitable and beneficial for human beings. Apart from the milk the urine and dung of a cow are also useful as the same are converted into medicines which cure humans. Cow’s milk provides us the Ghee, which is a must in all our yajnas for its highest qualities to be offered to Agni. Arya Samaj treats the cow like mother as once the mother’s milk stops, the cow becomes a mother to us.

Killing a cow for meat or beef is the most heinous act of ingratitude. Swami dayanand’s book called Gokarunanidhi is an eye opener for all those who do not understand the importance of a cow’s contribution to the mankind. Arya Samaj is committed to oppose the cow slaughterhouse at all forums.

Shrishti (Universe) and Yug ( duration of each shrishti)

Our ancient scriptures suggest that the duration of each Shrishti is four Arab ( 1 Arab= 100 Crores) and 32 crores , that means 432 crore years. After this duration the Pralay (total devastation) takes place. The duration of each Pralay is also same as one Shrishti , that is 432 Crore years. The period during the Shrishti is called Brahm-Din ( God’s Day) and the period during a Pralay is called Brahm-Ratri ( God’s Night).

Another unit of time known as Chaturyugi consists of 33 lacs and 20 thousand years. One Brahm-Din accommodates 1000 Chaturyugis. One Chaturyugi consists of 4 Yugs, which are called – Satyug, Dwapar, Treta and Kaliyug. Kaliyug is nothing but an unit of time being a part of a Yug. Generally people talk of Kaliyug as the worst time but that is not true. It is just a unit of time.

Shuddhi

There was a continuous down fall of Hindu community past Mahabharat period. Hinduism closed the doors of entry for all those who were not hindus; even for those who changed to some other religions under certain circumstances and wanted to come back into the fold of Hinduism. Such people were ridiculed by so called hindu leaders by saying that how can a donkey be converted into a cow.

The effect of such one way road was that the exit door from Hinduism was kept open but the entry doors were permanently closed. As expected, Muslims and Christians made full use of this restriction by converting widows, orphans and poor hindu people into their religious communities.

To combat this difficult situation Arya Samaj took up the subject of Shuddhi into its hand; under which it opened the door for those who wanted to adopt Arya Samaj. This proved to be an opportunity for all those converted ex- hindus to get reinstated into the hindu society again. Hindu society, though skeptical initially, has recognized this Arya Samaj Ritual of Shuddhikaran.

Ten Golden Principals Of Life

An Arya is essentially expected to be performing daily Sandhya , Swadhyaya and Satsang. These are essential to keep the Vedic systems live in the family. Swami Dayanand formed ten principals which are expected to be observed by all ‘Aryas’. Let us discuss how each principal is a guideline in ones daily life.

1. The primordial root of all true knowledge and objects made known by the true knowledge is the supreme God.

In this principal, we accept Ishvar as the supreme power of the world , who has provided us with whatever we have in our life. Due to this fact we are devoted to him and we express our gratitude towards him in the form of our praises and prayers.

2. God is self-existence, intelligence and bliss personified. He is devoid of form, omnipotent, just, benevolent, eternal, infinite, unchangeable, without a beginning, incomparable, support of all from within, undecaying, imperishable, fearless, holy and the maker of the universe. To him alone is our worship due.

Here we define Ishvar from all possible angles and accept him as the supreme power of the universe. The indication is that he only is to be worshipped.

3. The Veda is the script of all true knowledge. It is the paramount duty of every Arya to learn and to teach the Veda (God’s knowledge), to hear it, read and recite it to others.

Here we thank Ishvar for providing the knowledge of life in the form of Vedas.

4. We shall ever be ready to embrace truth and to forsake untruth.

Here the praise is for our mind which helps us in deciding what truth is and what is untruth.

5. All acts should be done in accordance with the conduct of life after deliberating what is right and wrong.
Here there is guidance towards logical analysis in life so that our final actions are based on the same.

6. The prime object of the Arya Samaj is to do good to the world that is to promote the physical, spiritual, and social good of every sentient being.
In this principal there is a clear directive to do good of the world, not just the mankind but also of animals and birds, nature etc. This principal also emphasize on the importance of doing Yagyas as the yagya results in benefit of all.

7. Our conduct towards all should be guided by love, righteousness and justice.
Swami Dayanand has defined ones conduct as his main life style, which needs to be based on love and justice.

8. We should make efforts to dispel nescience and promote knowledge.
A clear directive to work to promote knowledge and education in the society!

9. No one should be content with promoting his good only; on the contrary, he should look for his good in promoting the good of all.
Swamiji has emphasized on benevolence in life. One should not be self centric in life; he should be ready for any sacrifice for good of society at large.

10. All men should subordinate themselves to the discipline of the society calculated to promote the well-being of all; and yet should be free in regard to the discipline meant for individual well-being.

Here the emphasis is on being a disciplined member of a society in order to benefit society at large; at the same time one should be free enough for his own well being.

Thus the ten principals of Arya Samaj provide a complete package for a glorious human life.