The Arya Samaj was established in Mumbai in the 1800s by Swami Dayanand Saraswati and is celebrating 150 years of its foundation in 2025. Swami Dayanand Saraswati was against worship of murtis and embraced learning and recitation of the Vedas .
Supremacy of God | Arya Samaj principles can be divided into four distinct categories. The first principle states that God is the efficient cause of all true knowledge, and everything known through knowledge. The Divine is described as omniscient and is the fountainhead for all knowledge. The second principle lists twenty-one qualities of the Almighty. These are satchitanand, existent, intelligent and blissful, formless, omnipotent, just, merciful, unborn, endless, unblemished, beginningless, unequalled, supporter of all, master of all, omnipresent, immanent, unageing, immortal, fearless, eternal, holy, creator of all. He alone is worthy of being worshipped. This principle sanctifies worship of the formless and therefore excludes all kinds of idol worship.
Development of self | The third principle is that the Vedas are scriptures of true knowledge. It is the primary duty of all Aryas to recite them and to hear them being read. The connotation of the term 'arya', according to Swamiji, is someone who lives a life of virtue, nobility, justice and righteousness.
The fourth principle states that one should always be ready to accept truth and renounce untruth. Truth and untruth are distinct conceptions, and absolute in their characteristics, the one to be adhered to and the other to be immediately renounced. All acts should be performed according to dharm, that is, after deliberating what is right and wrong. After considering knowledge of right and wrong and then following the proper conduct. The fifth principle enshrines that our conduct towards all should be guided by love, righteousness and justice.
The sixth principle states that the primary object of Arya Samaj is to promote physical, spiritual and social good of everyone.
Interpersonal relationships | The seventh principle states that our conduct towards all should be guided by love, righteousness and justice. The sequence of our behaviour shall firstly be love, followed by dictates of dharm.
Duties towards the Self | The eighth principle asserts that we should dispel avidya, ignorance and promote vidya, knowledge. Education leads us from darkness to light, from untruth to truth and from ignorance to knowledge.
The ninth principle advocates love and respect for all. No one should be content with working towards one's aggrandisement but regard others' good as his own. This principle expounds that one should not be content with the promotion of one's own welfare but aim to better the quality of life for fellow human beings.
The last and tenth principle posits that one should follow society's rules to promote the well-being of all, while also pursuing individual welfare, ensuring that all are free. This principle is designed to simplify the conflict that may arise between personal freedom and social obligations. In matters where social conduct is at stake, the individual member must unconditionally submit to the will of all. These ten principles are designed to make individuals an 'arya'.
Authored by: Yashpal Mehta
Supremacy of God | Arya Samaj principles can be divided into four distinct categories. The first principle states that God is the efficient cause of all true knowledge, and everything known through knowledge. The Divine is described as omniscient and is the fountainhead for all knowledge. The second principle lists twenty-one qualities of the Almighty. These are satchitanand, existent, intelligent and blissful, formless, omnipotent, just, merciful, unborn, endless, unblemished, beginningless, unequalled, supporter of all, master of all, omnipresent, immanent, unageing, immortal, fearless, eternal, holy, creator of all. He alone is worthy of being worshipped. This principle sanctifies worship of the formless and therefore excludes all kinds of idol worship.
Development of self | The third principle is that the Vedas are scriptures of true knowledge. It is the primary duty of all Aryas to recite them and to hear them being read. The connotation of the term 'arya', according to Swamiji, is someone who lives a life of virtue, nobility, justice and righteousness.
The fourth principle states that one should always be ready to accept truth and renounce untruth. Truth and untruth are distinct conceptions, and absolute in their characteristics, the one to be adhered to and the other to be immediately renounced. All acts should be performed according to dharm, that is, after deliberating what is right and wrong. After considering knowledge of right and wrong and then following the proper conduct. The fifth principle enshrines that our conduct towards all should be guided by love, righteousness and justice.
The sixth principle states that the primary object of Arya Samaj is to promote physical, spiritual and social good of everyone.
Interpersonal relationships | The seventh principle states that our conduct towards all should be guided by love, righteousness and justice. The sequence of our behaviour shall firstly be love, followed by dictates of dharm.
Duties towards the Self | The eighth principle asserts that we should dispel avidya, ignorance and promote vidya, knowledge. Education leads us from darkness to light, from untruth to truth and from ignorance to knowledge.
The ninth principle advocates love and respect for all. No one should be content with working towards one's aggrandisement but regard others' good as his own. This principle expounds that one should not be content with the promotion of one's own welfare but aim to better the quality of life for fellow human beings.
The last and tenth principle posits that one should follow society's rules to promote the well-being of all, while also pursuing individual welfare, ensuring that all are free. This principle is designed to simplify the conflict that may arise between personal freedom and social obligations. In matters where social conduct is at stake, the individual member must unconditionally submit to the will of all. These ten principles are designed to make individuals an 'arya'.
Authored by: Yashpal Mehta
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