The Maharshi Who Restored Vedic Knowledge in the Modern Age
Moolshankar was born in Tankara, Gujarat, on February 12, 1824. From childhood, he had an intense thirst for knowledge. One Shivaratri night, while staying awake to worship Lord Shiva, he saw mice playing on the Shivalinga. He questioned, "If this idol (Sākāram, the manifested form) cannot protect itself, how can it protect me? Does the true God only reside in an idol?"
With this doubt, he set out to find the true God (Nirākāram). This was an attempt to understand the infinite power of God (Nirākāram) rather than just the form (Sākāram).
To discover the truth, Moolshankar sacrificed his family's comfort and became a Sanyasi (ascetic). For 25 years, he traveled as an itinerant monk, traversing the Himalayas and other religious places in North India. During this time, he also began practicing Yoga. Finally, he found a Guru, Maharshi Virajananda. Recognizing that Hinduism had deviated from its roots, he promised his Guru that he would restore the dignity of the Vedas. It was then that Moolshankar became 'Dayananda Saraswati'.
As per his Guru's command, Dayananda Saraswati dedicated his life to eradicating social evils like child marriage, Sati, and untouchability. He bravely stated, "These bad practices are not found in the Vedas. These superstitions arose in our society due to foreign invasions and because our elders forgot the original Vedic wisdom." Hence, he gave the slogan, "Go Back to Vedas."
In 1875, he founded the 'Arya Samaj'. This organization not only taught Vedic knowledge but also played a crucial role in the country's freedom struggle.
●    Call for Swaraj: He was the first person to demand Swaraj (self-rule) in 1876, declaring "India for Indians." Leaders like Lokmanya Tilak later echoed this call.
●    Shuddhi Movement: He stood as a protector of the Hindu faith. By imparting knowledge to the innocent who had been converted due to temptation, he brought many back to their native faith through the 'Shuddhi Movement' (Purification).
●    Inspiration for Leaders: Great freedom fighters like Lala Lajpat Rai were inspired by the ideology of Arya Samaj.
●    Education and Equality: Arya Samaj schools taught patriotism along with Vedic education. By preaching that all are equal, it helped unite the entire nation as one community.
Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati dedicated his life to establishing truth, righteousness (Dharma), and the nation. While at the palace of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, he was poisoned by the Mlechchhas (foreigners/non-believers). Due to the severity of the poison, he was moved to Ajmer for treatment. On October 30, 1883, at the age of 59, chanting the Vedic mantra 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti,' this great Karma Yogi, who sacrificed his life for the establishment of truth and the protection of Dharma, attained Moksha (salvation).
Teacher Tasks
Discussion After the Story (Analysis):
●    What was Moolshankar's doubt regarding God? (Discuss that both Sākāra Pūjā (worship of form) and Nirākāra Upāsanā (worship of the formless) are paths to reach God, and that knowledge-based devotion is important.)
●    What does 'Swaraj' mean? How did Dayananda Saraswati first give the call for Swaraj?
●    What was his service to the Hindu Dharma through the 'Shuddhi Movement'? (Discuss the importance of protecting Dharma.)
Expression of Thought (Creativity):
●    Thinking with Wisdom: Children should try to question and think about something before blindly believing it if someone tells them something. (Example: Discuss a rumor or superstition and explore the truth behind it.)
●    National Slogan: Combine the slogan "India for Indians" with a powerful Vedic slogan like 'Satyameva Jayate' (Truth alone triumphs) and chant it.
Practical Action (Implementation):
●    Human Equality: For this entire week, children should play and study with all their friends without any distinction based on caste, wealth, or poverty.
●    Pledge of Courage: Like the courage shown by Maharshi Dayananda, take a pledge: "This week, when a mistake happens, I will bravely admit it instead of hiding it."
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