VEDA SWADHYAYAM

"വേദം പഠിക്കുകയും പഠിപ്പിക്കുകയും പ്രചരിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യേണ്ടത്  എല്ലാ ആര്യന്മാരുടെയും  (ശേഷ്ടന്മാരുടെ) പരമ ധര്‍മ്മമാണ് " - മഹര്‍ഷി ദയാനന്ദ സരസ്വതി. "It is the paramount duty of All Aryas (enlightened persons) to read, study and propagate Vedas" Maharshi Dayanand Saraswathi.  See this link for reading Malayalam vedic articles http://agniveer.com/category/lang/malayalam/ വായിക്കുക! പ്രചരിപ്പിക്കുക! 

WORLD WAR ONE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

AUM

           WORLD WAR I CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS-2014

                                        By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

The First Great War it was. Fought globally as the major European belligerants had colonies in other continents too, the war came to be known as the World War I. The people and the Military were tired of this prolonged Trench warfare wherein everything underwent a change. The cavalry regiments felt cheated as the gallant horsemen now had no chance to lead a cavalry charge at the gallop where the opposing infantry was overwhelmed by the enormous mass of horse flesh, equipment steel and, of course, the human body guided by the human mind. The full throated battle cry of trained horsemen at the gallop with their lances poised for a kill was soon going to be a fascinating event of the past.

The innovative trench warfare was going to establish the Infantry once again as the Queen of Battle and simultaneously relegate the royal horsed cavalry to pages of history. Their role was reduced from battle field to tattoo grounds where they drew appreciation in the form of full throated battle cries the recording of which was of immense use for a later day regimental reunion.  

It was in World War I that the last act of chivalry in a mounted attack on the infantry trenches was seen and heard of. Naib Risaldar Badlu Ram Saheb of the Deccan Horse led a cavalry charge at the gallop against the Turkish infantry in trenches and yet won laurels and success. He was decorated with a Victoria Cross and many more gallantry medals shone on the chests of cavalry officers and sowars. Thereafter those fine men and brave beasts faded away into the pages of military history to be read and recorded by junior officers preparing for promotion examinations. Of course, their names were recalled, remembered and narrated to the local audiences whose ancestors had dedicated themselves to preserve, protect and defend the honour of the cavalry regiment concerned with their life.

Indeed it was a lifelong bond written in blood and preserved as a part of regimental history that came alive on each regimental day.    

WORLD WAR II DESCENDED

World War I was fought by both sides to stop such wars in future. It was said that men and animals would not be slaughtered by the enemy sabres on the battle field in future. But that was not to be. When World War I was over, armistice was celebrated and the Treaty of Versailles was signed, it paved the way for the next war that came with a bang in 1939. It changed the global scenario in many respects. Thereafter the nations never sat in peace; they always prepared for war. Sometimes it was a cold war and sometimes a shooting war. Nevertheless, it was war and came to be known as World War II.

The friend of World War I became a foe in the World War II. They fought against each other with vehemence never witnessed before. War is a War and not a joke. Once a nation declares a war, there is no going back on it. A belligerent nation stops just for the Remembrance Ceremony. The hell breaks loose again thereafter. Let us take a look at the names of Nations of Europe who were on the side of the Central Powers and those who were with the Allied Powers.

CENTRAL POWERS

The German Empire – Germany located in Europe was the main cou                                                                                                 ntry and its empire that extended to other continents besides Europe’

The Austro-Hungarian Empire ;  The Ottoman or the Turkish Empire,

The Kingdom of Bulgaria.

ALLIED POWERS

The Triple Entente – on ground that meant The British Empire and that extended to all the Continents known to the Mankind and the Sun never set on the British Empire.

The Republic of France

The Russian Empire spread over Europe and Asia. While the World War I was going on, there was a Bolshevik Revolution led by Lenin and the monarchy was abolished, the Royalty exiled and the Empire was renamed as the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) in 1917 and it withdrew as a belligerent power.

ITALY,  Imperial  Japan,  Belgium,  Serbia,  Monte-Negro, Greece, Romania and  Czechoslovakia.

The United States of America too entered the Great War as  an Associate Power in 1917.

The array of Nations on both sides was impressive and awe inspiring. However, it was the entry of America into the war that made a material difference to the capability of the Allied Powers to wage war. No wonder, within a year thereafter the Central Powers collapsed and sued for Peace. The Treaty of Versailles was signed and of all defeated belligerents, it was the German nation that was forced to eat the humble pie. No self-respecting nation would have accepted those funny conditions that Germany was subjected to. Thus the foundation of World War II was laid and it was just a matter of time before a World War began again in 1939. 

The great Strategist of all times , Chanakya was   of the opinion that enough escape route should be  given to the enemy forces so that they do not counter-attack and take the easy exit route. However, at the end of World War I the Central Powers were humiliated and, therefore, they vowed for revenge to retrieve their lost self-respect. The self-respecting German nation kept its word. The rest is history.

HIGHLIGHTS OF WAR

Waging war is not like cracking a joke. It is a serious business and must be treated as such. Many unfortunate soldiers lose their life and limbs. Psychologically speaking, a soldier sustaining a grievous battle injury where he could have lost his life, is not the same man as he was when he went into action. Even a walking-wounded has to be treated humanely and treated with concern. A nation that does not treat its wounded soldiers with heartfelt sympathy or does not Honour the War Dead appropriately will never see Light at the end of the tunnel. It is the sacred duty of the Nation to treat the battle casualties well and rehabilitate them in life and society lest they become rogue elephants and behave as such.

The Battle of Somme was the watershed of the four year world war I. It began on July 1, 1916 and officially ended in July 1919 when Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles.

The British nation has been celebrating the Armistice Day with reverence, pomp and show that it deserves. Those who laid down their lives for the defence of the free democratic world were as many as TEN MILLION MEN whose departure from the mundane world was termed as Military Deaths. As many as 20 million men were wounded.

 It was on 11^th November 1920 that the grand ceremony had taken place at the Cenotaph, the Whitehall on 11 November 1920. All nations all over the world observe two minutes silence at 11 AM on 11^th November every year in Remembrance of the World War I Dead and Departed who made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of the country.  

INDIAN SPIRITUAL TOUCH

As many as 53 grievously war wounded Indian soldiers were evacuated from the battlefields  in Europe to the Kitchener Hospital in the United Kingdom. They were cremated in Brighton,UK and a Chhatri was raised in their Remembrance and as a mark of respect to them. In 2010 the Commonwealth War Graves Commission raised a screen wall there near the traditional Chhatri in the Hindu Crematorium and all 53 names of the War Dead were engraved there. Great care was taken to cater to the religious requirements of the departed soldier and nothing was done to hurt the religious feelings of the living Hindus and Sikhs.

In New Delhi, India an edifice was erected within the municipal limits of the Imperial zone and the reputed architect of the new British capital in India, Lutyens was entrusted with the task of raising a suitable war memorial to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. A magnificent blueprint was drawn and approved by the Viceroy. The construction of the War Memorial began in 1921 and took ten years and six hundred thousand Indian rupees to complete in 1931. Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India had inaugurated this magnificent War Memorial with great fanfare. He eulogized the bravery of the Indian soldier and commended the fighting spirit. They fought like a tiger wherever they were posted in defence of the Realm, said the Viceroy.

As manyas a million men in uniform, as soldiers and labour force, left the shores of India for France, Flanders and other parts of Europe and Middle-East. Of them 70,000 laid down their lives for the King and the country and never returned to see their home and hearth again. As many as 16,316 soldiers never found a permanent resting place in the lap of mother Earth nor were cremated as their mortal remains could not be traced or identified. May I take the liberty of striking a personal note here. My grand uncle, Shri R.L. Sawant was a part of this Force that went to Europe to defend democracy and freedom of thought and expression. We are grateful to God that he returned home alive and led a healthy and happy life thereafter in the midst of loved ones.

The Amar Jawan Jyoti was added in January 1972 right after the Indian Army had decisively defeated the Pakistan Army and dismembered the vanquished nation. Bangladesh was born to fulfill the aspirations of the Bengali speaking Moslems of Pakistan who wished to communicate in their own language, Bangala and live a free life. Their aspirations were met with the active armed help of the Indian Army. To commemorate those brave soldiers who fell while discharging their military duties in independent India, the Amar Jawan was raised as a war memorial in January 1972.

Prime Minister of India, on behalf of the Nation, pays homage to the Indian soldiers who became martyrs for the cause of the country, every year on the morning of the Republic Day by laying a wreath at the foot of the Amar Jawan.

The Indian officers and Jawans of the three Services live for and die for Bharat, our motherland. For them the NATION is supreme and stands above all. The Nation honours the brave war dead who fought for and died for the Motherland, Bharat. The brave dead lived for and died for the succeeding generations; they died so that we can live. We honour them; we SALUTE them!

Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

UPVAN  609, Sector 29,  NOIDA – 201303,  INDIA

Mobile:  sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com       Mobile:  9811173590

                                                                                                           

NARENDRA MODI RULES THE ROOST IN GUJARAT ELECTIONS

AUM MODI’S MANIFESTO MADE GUJJU MONARCH By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM Narendra Bhai Modi made the BJP’s election manifesto in Gujarat released in the capital Ahmedabad today look like, sound like, promise like and empower common man like the Magna Carta did in London in the year 1215. The Monarch had given every right to common man in the street that the latter had craved for for years. The King of England had virtually crowned the common man without parting with his own crown. So did Narendra Bhai Modi to the common man in Gujarat by including in the manifesto everything that voters would like to get without imposing any back-breaking burden as taxes on the citizens of England. Modi has been true to his word during his reign and rule for the last ten years and has promised an Encore in the next five years too. SALIANT POINTS OF SANKALP PATRA The Sankalpa Patra as the manifesto is called both in Gujarati and Hindi is a document of Modi’s vision. An eminent political analyst, who did not wish to be identified by name, made a major point by saying that the present Sankalp Patra, will win over the state of Gujarat for the Bhartiya Janata Party but also sweep across Bharat in 2014 and the Modi wave combined with Modi vision will bag and place the throne of Imperial Delhi in the list of laurels won and retained. Other analysts opined that for the time being the Modi wave will remain confined within shores of Guajarat because the situation obtaining in other parts and provinces of India that is Bharat is not akin to that of Gujarat. The consensus was that when we reach the bridge, we shall cross it. Let us analyse what Modi’s manifesto has promised to the voting citizens of Gujarat and if he will be financially in a position to fulfill his election promises. Professor Dholakia, former Head of IIM, Ahmedabad categorically said that Modi did not promise the moon to the crying children. He has only said that he would build a large number of houses for those who have no shelter overhead. He has been doing just that since he came to power a decade ago and has the wherewithal to carry on with his pet project of Housing for the homeless in the next five years too. Modi has been wise enough not to promise subsidized rate rice or gruel in another form where the government foots the bill because being a pragmatist he knows that the state exchequer could ill-afford do that. At the same time, it must be said in Modi’s favour that he had dished out something of everything for everyone. The electorate did not expect more because they know that Modi would make an announcement to dole out a subsidy only when he knows that he would not have to retract his promise and eat his hat. It is the Truthfulness of Modi and his desire to swim or sink with his fellow six crore Gujaratis that has made him a darling boy of the electorate. He shall continue to be so as long as he does not deceive his country and compatriots. FRIENDS RALLY FOES IN A SHAMBLES A gentleman who just now returned from Gujarat aptly described Shri Amin’s resignation from the Congress party and subsequent walk over to the BJP just about ten days before Gujarat was to go to polls as Rahul Gandhi’s Waterloo in Gujarat. It was precisely this fear and the inability to keep rank and file of demoralized followers intact that has kept Prince Charming out of the rough and tumble of electoral dogfight so far. In fact the Prince had lost the battle before it began and his deputies were too feeble to bear the cavalry charge of a determined commander like Narendra Modi. Who will win the laurels? Well, the writing is on the wall and any wise man or woman may read it. The writer of this political piece will not be accused of exaggeration if he writes that Indian National Congress handed over the crown of Gujarat to the Bhartiya Janata Party on a silver platter. Now it fits their Samurai warrior and he not only enjoys wearing it but plans to make it bigger to include the rest of India symbolically for the time being. It would be indeed appropriate to make a mention of Modi’s political party companion rallying round him like a Greek Phalanx in battlefield. It gave the commander, Narendra Modi, a solid support sans desertion or revolt and he could plan and execute a heavy cavalry charge that the foot soldiers of the enemy camp found it difficult to withstand, what to say of repulsing it or blunting their lances. Experienced stalwarts of many bloody battles like Lal Krishna Advani, Arun Jaitley, Venkayyah Naidu were all there to make plans for the final kill, at least on the drawing board. Among them were archers, gunners, infanteers, army engineers who knew their jobs in the battlefield backwards. Battle experiences had hardened their resolve to engage the enemy in a chakravyuh and tire him out before launching the final assault with a loud and blood chilling battle cry invoking the Dharm Yudh principles to demoralize the enemy who had many an Adharm yudh to his discredit. How demoralized the Congress camp was could be made out from the fact that Rahul Gandhi, the commander-in-chief designate of the final phase of Mahabharat to be fought on 2014 was conspicuous by his total absence from the battle of Gujarat in 2013. The Congress party President showed her presence to own troops just once. It indeed did not send a good signal down the rank and file whose morale was sagging more and more day by day. RANI JHANSI BRIGADE Rani Jhansi Brigade has been raised by Narendra Modi by capturing the hearts and minds of women of Gujarat. The Chief, a bachelor social worker, knew that the Women were more than half the Heaven. To win the final war in 2014, it was essential to have the determined Mahila Mandal transformed into a Rani Jhansi Regiment to beat the British in their own game. When Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose took over the command of the INA he implemented the old plan of raising a Mahila Brigade. It was a roaring success. Narendra Modi followed suit in Gujarat. He announced in his manifesto that 30,000 jobs would be created and offered to suitable ladies of Gujarat. The female electorate believed in his word and is rallying round the BJP offering full support for a final victory. The opposite camp is bereft of such a support from the other half of the vast sky. Buch, an articulate spokesman of the Congress party was quiet on these issues as he knew where did the mistakes lie and unfortunately no remedial action worth the name was in hand. His one line counterattack comprised just one sentence that Modi’s SANKALP PATRA WAS JUST A PACK OF LIES. However, the listeners and viewers of the electronic media programme realized in the heart of their hearts that what Buch said repeatedly merely revealed a bankruptcy of far-reaching plans as well as energy and WILL to move forward to achieve the goal. Narendra Modi has not only issued his SANKALP PATRA BUT ALSO IDENTIFIED THE LAKSHYA FOR THE Mahabharat of 2014. Modi has determination to proceed towards his lakshya and attain his goal come rain come shine. Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM Mobile : 0091-9811173590. UPVAN 609, Sector 29, NOIDA -201303, BHARAT (INDIA) Email : sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com

NO IDOLATRY IN VEDAS - WESTERN INDOLOGISTS

Swami Dayanand was first scholar in modern times to proclaim that idolatry or worship of God in forms of idols is not sanctioned in the Holy Vedas. Although many reformers in past like Adi Shankracharya, Guru Basava, Guru Nanak, Sant Kabir, Dadu, raja Ram Mohan Roy etc have openly disagreed with the Idol worship but swami Dayanand view of idolatry is based not merely on observations of demerits of idolatry as his predecessors but also on proofs and evidences mentioned in different Vedic texts. In same age of swami Dayanand a class of scholars in west also tried to explore The Vedas and other texts with special interest and different motives. Many of them were influenced by Christian upbringings and political pressure of their Christian state while some of them were real truth seekers too. Overall their views are acceptable up to that extent until they are with the truth and nothing else. 

In this article we will read different quotations by European scholars on idolatry and our main motive is to give message to the readers for their spiritual elevation by giving them lesson of worship of one supreme formless God.

Maxmuller- It has sometimes been asserted that the Vedic religion is extinct in India, that the modern Brahmanic religion as founded on the puranas and tantras consists in a belief in Vishnu, Shiva and Brahama and manifests itself in the worship of the most hideous idols – Origin and Growth of religions page 154

Monier Williams says - It is very doubtful whether idolatry existed in the time of Manus compilation of the smriti- Indian wisdom page 226  

H.H.Wilson says- There is (in the Vedas), no mention of any temple, nor any reference to public place of worship and it is clear that the worship was entirely domestic – Wilson’s Rigveda- Introduction, volume 1, page xv

H.H.Wilson says–And yet Manu notices no Avatara, no Rama and no Krishna and is consequently admitted to belong anterior to the growth of their worship as set forth in the Ramayana and Mahabharata- Wilson’s Rigveda- introduction, volume 1, page xi, xii

H.H.Wilson says – But the worship of defied heroes is no part of that system, nor are the incarnations of deities suggested in any other portion of the text, which I have yet seen, though such are sometimes hinted at by the commentators.

It is also true that the worship of the vedas is for the most part, domestic worship, consisting of prayers and oblations offered in their own houses, not in temples by individuals, for individuals good and addressed to unreal presences, not to visible types.

In a word, the religion of the vedas is not idolatry

H.H.Wilson- Vishnu purana preface page 111

 

J.I.Wheeler says- They appear to have had no temples but either performed their sacrifices in the open air or else in a sacrificial chamber set apart in each dwelling- Wheeler’s History of India introduction page 11

Mr Mill says- Idolatry is an altogether after growth springing from the mind incapable of entertaining the elevated abstract notions of the permitive creed- Mills History of British India, quoted in the Vedic magazine may 1918 page 117

Mr Mill says but they (Brahmanas) never, like the priests of other pagan nations, or those of the Jews, conducted public worship, worship for individuals indiscriminately, worship in temples or make offerings to idols is held as degraded and unfit to be invited to religious feasts- (Manu II 152,180) Mills History of British India vol II page 192 F.N.

M. Elphinstone- There seems to have been no images and no visible types of the objects of worship.-History of India page 40

M. Elphinstone-At the same time, they erected no temple and addressed no worship to the true god-History of India page 93, 94

M. Elphinstone-Mr. Colebrooke avowedly confines himself to the five sacraments which existed in Manu’s time; but there is a new sort of worship never alluded to in the institutes, which now forms one of the principle duties of every Hindu. This is the worship of images before which many prostration and other acts of adoration must daily be performed.-History of India page 40

There are many more quotes from different scholars to prove that the Idol worship is not sanctioned in The Vedas. We must accept truth and follow the message of the vedas as ultimately

“Truth only will be Victorious”

By Dr. Vivek Arya

KADAVALLUR ANYONYAM : A VEDIC HYMN RECITATION CONTEST

The famous Vedic Hymn recitation competion called ' Kadavallur Anyonyam' which used to be held on every year during the Karthika month started at Kadavallur in Kerala on 16 Nov 2012. Kadavallur Anyonyam is conducted in the month of November every year at the famous Sri Ramaswamy temple situated at Kadavallur, near Kunnamkulam, Thrissur Dt, Kerala. Traditional scholars of Rigveda assemble in the temple and enter in severe competitions in the chanting of Rigveda for eight days This friendly competition usually done between Thrissur Brahmaswam Madhom (Thrissur Yogam) and Thirunnavaya Brahmaswam Madhom (Thirunnavaya Yogam).  For more details visits this site http://www.kadavalluranyonyam.org/anyonyam.php.

This year in the first session (Varam) on 16 Nov 2012, Vadakkumbat Narayanan Namboothiri seated in the front and started with the Hymn Apam na patha....(Vth vargga of 2nd chapter 1st Ashtakam of Rigvedam). Keezhmundayur Parameswaran Namboothiri and Paduthol Neelakandan Namboothiri helped him with raising hand mudras. Bhatti Vadakkedam Neelakandan Namboothiri of Thirunnavaya Brahmaswaom Madhom continued in Second Varam with Hymn Aasaavi swama..... (Rigvedam Ist Ashtakam, VIth chapter, Vth varggam). Dr.Jathavedan Namboothiri and Kothamangalam Vasudevan Namboothi helped him by raising hand mudras. The Jada prayogam was presented by Puliyannur Subrahmanian Namboothiri and Vadakkumbat Govindan Namboothiri of Thrissur Yogam.

MAHARISHI DAYANAND AND MAHATMA GANDHI

AUM MAHARISHI DAYANAND MAHATMA GANDHI COMMONALITY OF MISSION YET POLES APART By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM Maharishi Dayanand and Mahatma Gandhi both were born and brought up in Gujarat and spoke Gujarati as their mother tongue. Precisely speaking the two stalwarts were from Kathiawar in Saurashtra where the vagaries of Nature and limited rainfall make the sons of the soil tough and sturdy. Both were born in and nourished by the princely states where their fathers had found employment and cultivated their culture without acquiring an imprint of princely high brow. Both the great men took to mixing with masses like fish takes to water. The influence of the Hindu Dharma was so deeply etched on their body, mind and soul that other proselytizing religions of the middle-East was kept at arms’s length by both. Indeed the deep chasm within the Hindu Dharm did not leave them unaffected. Maharishi Dayanand, as balak Moolshankar, was brought up as a Shaiv, whereas Mahatma Gandhi clung to the Vaishnav traditions through and through. The inward impact of the two strong religious traditions was indeed so noticeable in the outer manifestation of their personalities. PARTING OF WAYS COMMENCED CULTURALLY DAYANAND was born in 1824 and GANDHI in 1869; thus the former was fortyfive years senior to latter. Indeed a lot of time in between had passed by and much water had flown down the Sabarmati river in between. After Gandhi’s arrival in this world, Dayanand lived on for a mere fourteen years before he breathed his last. Apparently there was no time and no opportunity for an interaction directly between the two great men who changed the religious, social and political set up of their beloved Bharat. The direct and indirect impact of their personality left no one untouched or unaffected. Dayanand always called a spade a spade irrespective of the fact whether the man in conversation with him was a king or a commoner. Once His Highness, the Maharana of Udaipur offered the Mahantship of the Ekling Mandir, to which is big State was dedicated, provided Dayanand gave up his criticism of the idol worship and advocated only the stuti of Nirakar Ishwar. Dayanand took umbrage and minced no words in retorting “ Maharana, I can run across your principality in one go but if I disobey Ishwar and obey you, where will I go to hide myself?” The wise ruler understood the import and dropped the subject. Gandhi, on the other hand, sent across an unpleasant message in a pleasant mode without causing an upheaval in the social set up. Once Gandhi was addressing a crowd of the Indian settlers in South Africa when the local administration decided to disperse the assembly in the town hall and trooped in to do so. Before the British officers of the Police and their constables could carry out the dispersal orders, Gandhi said that now his mission was over and that the assembly must sing “God Save the King”, the national anthem. The police officers and constables had no choice but to stand to attention and sing their national anthem. Thus it was Gandhi’s spiritual strength that he could overwhelm his adversaries with his mild manners. Those who came to scoff, remained to pray. BOTH WERE VOTARIES OF AHINSA Dayanand was a follower and a preacher of the Vedic Dharm that advises its followers to carry and wield BAJRA to fight against and annihilate the enemy and his army. Gandhi, of course, believed in non-violence as a Vaishanavite and loved to sing the line “ vaishnav jana to tene kahiye peer parayee jaane re” and one who can realize the pain and suffering of others will never indulge in violence. Gandhi loved the principle of non-violence and would practice it even if it cost him his life. So steadfast was he in observing the principle of non-violence. Dayanand too advocated the philosophy of Non-violence. Writes the Rishivar in the Satyarth Prakash while discussing the Ten principles of Dharma as defined by Manu Maharaj, how he wished AHINSA was also included as the eleventh principle of DHARMA. Here I must hasten to add that the concept of Ahinsa of Dayanand meant that a strong man must not voluntarily torment a weak man and cause violence. Thus Dayanand’s Non-violence did not give an immunity to an enemy that had intruded to destroy our Dharma, our home and hearth. Gandho, on the other hand believed in a kind of non-violence that was absolute. Dayanand and Gandhi both advocated observance of AHINSA but their definitions differed. Nevertheless, non-violence continued to be on their agenda throughout. DAYANAND DRUMMED SELF RULE Dayanand wrote the first edition of the Satyarth Prakash, his magnum opus in 1874 and published it in 1875. Dayanand had the moral courage to write in the eighth chapter of his aforesaid book about throwing off the foreign yoke and establishing self rule thus: ( let me quote word for word in original in Hindi) “ koi kitna hi kare parantu jo swadeshi rajya hota hai, who sarvopari uttam hota hai. ….. apne aur paraye ka pakshapat shunya, praja par mata-pita saman kripa, nyaya aur daya ke sath- videshiyon ka rajya bhi purna sukhdayak nahin hai.” When Dayanand wrote these lines as a freedom fighter and it was the heyday of the British Empire where the word “sunset” was unheard of, Gandhi used to roam about the streets of Saurashtra in his night undergarments. Irrespective of the consequences, Dayanand wrote regarding self rule and exhorted his newly elected members of the Arya Samaj executive committee to be as fearless as the Yajurveda advises them to be. The Ved mantra on the state of Fearlessness to be cultivated by all Aryas is quoted again in the Shanti Karanam of the Daily Havan procedure. Thus two birds would be killed with one stone: even Vaishyas will become bold like Kshatriyas and the Arya Samaj would face the British boldly without fear or favour. Without making it public, Dayanand was once again experimenting with the theory of MANTRA MOTIVATION. INDEED IT WAS A GRAND SUCCESS. The British Rule used to deal with “ freedom-fighter elements” in society firmly and separated them from the rest of the masses. Life Imprisonment meant exiling the freedom-fighter to the Andaman and Nicobar islands and that in effect meant the rank and file not coming in touch with the Satyagrahis or the men and women who insisted on following the path of principles; path of TRUTH and Ahinsa. The situation was grim but the freedom fighters were a determined lot prepared to make a sacrifice of life and limbs. India, that is Bharat was on the path of progress leading to its destination – the FREEDOM from FOREIGN YOKE. Much before volunteers of the Indian National Congress came forward, it was the Arya Samaj that had lighted the Lamp of Freedom and removed the darkness of slavery to a foreign power. Thanks to Dayanand and his Satyarth Prakash, the awakening was on the horizon. Before long the word, SWATANTRATA WAS ON EVERY LIP AND EVERY PHYSICAL MOVEMENT WAS TO 0UST THE FOREIGN RULERS AND FINALLY EVERY MENTAL MOVE WAS TO BID GOOD BUY TO THE FOREIGN RULERS AND USHER IN A RULE BY INDIANS, FOR INDIANS AND 0F INDIANS. EDUCATION OF YOUTH On going through the writings of Mahatma Gandhi I find that his views about the Arya Samaj were magnanimous when he was in South Africa. Of course, the Arya Samaj, under the leadership of Parmanand Ji had done yeoman’s service to promoting the Hindu Dharm and Vedic sanskriti among the Indian youth living in that far off foreign land. I would like to quote Gandhi Ji’s words that I borrowed from an article written by Dr Yadav and entitled SWAMI DAYANAND ARYA SAMAJ AND Mahatma Gandhi. The piece runs thus: Mahatma Gandhi told, “You, Sir, belong to a band of self-sacrificing workers whom the Arya Samaj has given to India. You, in common with your fellow-workers, have given your lifetime to the cause of Religion and Education. We, therefore, feel honoured in honouring you. We hope that your brief visit to South Africa will result in the Arya Samaj deciding to send some self-sacrificing educationists to work among the Indians in South Africa. Proper education is one of the greatest wants of the Indian community in South Africa.”4 Mahatma Gandhi told, “Mr. Lajpat Rai, from the Punjab, is no less noble in mind. He is the recognized leader of the Punjab. He has been devoting his earnings and his energy to the promotion of the work of the Arya Samaj.”5 Mahatma Gandhi told, “I have studied the Gayatri. I like the words. I have also studied the book the Swamiji gave me. I have derived much benefit from its perusal. It makes me more inquisitive about the life of Swami Dayanand2. I see that the meaning given by Swami Dayanand to the Gayatri and several mantras of the Vajasaneya Upanishad is totally different from that given by the orthodox school now which meaning is correct? I do not know. I hesitate straightway to accept the revolutionary method of interpretation suggested by S. Dayanand.” Later in life Mahatma Gandhi, as a political leader and as a crusader of the Hindu-Muslim unity to gain SWARAJ became extremely critical of the thought process of the Arya Samaj and its leaders. He could not tolerate Arya Samaj proselytizing like the Christian missionaries and converting Muslims and Christians to the Vedic Dharm. Perhaps he found the edifice of religious unity that he was building like a castle in the air crumbling under the attack of the Arya Samaj pracharaks who minced no words in calling a spade a spade. TRUTH was the main plank of both Maharishi Dayanand and Mahatma Gandhi . The former went whole hog in preaching and practicing Truth. The latter perhaps had political expediency in mind and his ultimate goal, namely independence of India was always the be all and the end all. No wonder Maharishi Dayanand made TRUTH the base of Five out of TEN Principles of the Arya Samaj formulated in Lahore in 1877. The Rishivar never deviated from the Truth, come what may. I shall not commit blasphemy by saying or even remotely indicating that Mahatma Gandhi deviated from the Truth. Nevertheless, I shall be failing in my duty if I do not point out that he was more critical of the Arya samaj in particular and Hindu elements in the Congress than he ever was of Muslims or Christians. Gandhiji spearheaded the movement in India to restore Caliphate and the Sultan of Turkey after the World War I, just to please the Muslim clientele of his. If it was NOT a deviation from the Truth, from the ground realities of life, what else would be. The Muslims of Turkey were too happy to say good bye to their religious and temporal head and usher in a real secular social and political order under Mustafa Kamal Attaturk but Gandhiji closed his eyes to the grassroots Truth in Turkey. Let us rest the case here for the time being. SWAMI SHRADDHANAND’S SHUDDHI MOVEMENT As a devout believer in the Vedic Dharm, Swami Shraddhanand Ji had launched a successful movement of SHUDDHI to bring back to the Vedic dharm those men and women who had strayed away and had been forcibly converted to Islam or allured by love of lucre to convert to Christianity. He had the support of Pundit Madan Mohan Malviya and Maharana of Udaipur in toto. However, this was N ANTHEMA TO Mahatma Gandhi but he had never raised a voice in protest when Muslims revolting against the British rule in Malabar had attacked the Hindu houses, adducted and raped their women and converted the weak kneed to Islam. So, why did Mahatma Gandhi’s conscience prick now, if one may ask. Maharishi Dayanand’s disciples and Mahatma Gandhi were now on the war path, the bugles were sounded and the distant drums could be heard far and wide. Mahatma Gandhi wrote articles in self defence that Yogendra Yadav, a Gandhian scholar, has quoted to convince a modern reader that the Mahatma was impartial and if anything, he had lovingly mentioned time and again that both he and Swami Dayanand Saraswati were from that tiny part of India called Katiawar. Let us see what the Mahatma had to say warding off the VAJRA-LIKE ATTACKS OF THE OFFENDED ARYAS : Mahatma Gandhi told, “A storm of indignation on the part of Arya Samajists is blowing against me. I have letters and telegrams of energetic protest against my references to the Samaj, its illustrious founder, Swami Shraddhanandji and the shuddhi movement. They are from Ghaziabad, Mutan, Delhi, Sukkur, Karachi, Jagraon, Secunderabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Allahabad, etc. I omit mention of individual letters. Probably all of them expect me to publish their protests; some have specially insisted upon my doing so. They will forgive me for not complying with their desire. The majority are worded after the fashion of the telegram I reproduced last week. All resent what they regard as an attack upon the Arya Samaj, the Satyarth Prakash, Rishi Dayanand, Swami Shraddhanandji and the shuddhi movement. I am sorry to have to say that my position still remains unaltered. I have read with careful attention the argumentative correspondence received by me. Those who have attributed my statement to my ignorance have done so probably to leave me an open door for a safe retreat. Unfortunately for me, I have left no such chance for myself. I cannot plead ignorance of the Satyarth Prakash or the general teachings of the Arya Samaj. I cannot even say that I might have been prejudiced against the Arya Samaj. On the contrary, I approached it with the greatest veneration. I had, as I still have, profound regard for the personal character of Rishi Dayanand. His brahmacharya was an object of emulation for me. His fearlessness commanded my admiration. And my provincialism, if I have any in me, was flattered by the fact of the Rishi being of the same little Kathiawar as myself. But I could not help myself. The conclusion I came to was in spite of me, and I published it only when its publication became relevant. Its suppression would have been a cowardly omission on my part. Instead of becoming enraged against me for an honest expression of opinion, I appeal to them to take my criticism in good part, examine it, try to convince me and pray for me if I cannot be convinced. Two letters have challenged me to substantiate my conclusion. It is a fair challenge and I hope before long to produce from the Satyarth Prakash passages in its support. My friends will not engage me in a religious discussion with them. I shall content myself with giving them the grounds of my opinion, So far as Swami Shraddhanandji is concerned, there is no question Of substantiating my opinion. My critics will oblige me by leaving him and me to ourselves. In spite of my opinion, I shall not quarrel with the Swamiji. Mine is the criticism of a friend. As for shuddhi, the critics in their blind fury have forgotten the qualification ‘as it is understood in Christianity or to a lesser extent in Islam’. This is quite different from saying that there is no proselytism in Hinduism. Hinduism has a way all its own of shuddhi. But if the Arya Samajists differ from me, they may still allow me to retain my opinion. If they will re-read the statement, they will discover that I have said that they have a perfect right to carry on their movement if they like. Toleration is not a coinciding of views. There should be toleration of one another’s views though they may be as poles asunder. Lastly I have not said that Arya Samajists or Mussalmans do kidnap women. I have said ‘I am told’. By repeating what I was told, I have given both the parties an opportunity of repudiating the charge. Was it not better that I should publish what was being said, so that the atmosphere might be cleared? Let me point out to my Arya Samaj friends that their protests betray want of toleration. Public men and public institutions cannot afford to be thin-skinned. They must stand criticism with good grace. And now for an appeal to them. They have almost all entered their protests. I do not mind them. I assure them that I share their sorrow. It pained me when I wrote my criticism. It pains me now to know that it has hurt them. But I am not their enemy. I claim to be their friend. Time will prove my friendship. They do not want to quarrel with anybody or any faith. That is what almost all have said in their letters. Let them take to heart the tribute I have paid to the Samaj, its founder and to Swami Shraddhanandji. I know the purifying work that the Arya Samaj has done. I know that it has laid its finger on many abuses that have soiled Hinduism. But no one can live on his capital. I want them to outlive the latter and extend the spirit of their reform. In spite of their denial, I repeat that their shuddhi propaganda savours of the Christian propaganda. I would like them to rise higher. If they will insist upon reform from within, it will tax all their energy and take up all their time. Let them Hinduism the Hindu if they believe with me that Arya Samaj is a part of Hinduism. If they consider it as distinct from Hinduism, I fear it will be a hard task for them to convert the Hindus. Let them ascertain where they stand. I have criticized because I want them to help the great national and religious movement that is now going on. The Samaj has a great future if it can outgrow what has appeared to me its narrowness. BURY THE HATCHET NOW The disciples of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati and followers of Mahatma Gandhi must bury the hatchet and move forward on the path of progress so that our motherland may attain the greatness that it was famous for in days of yore. Mahashay Vishwanath Ji, a staunch Arya Samajist and a Gandhian, of the DAV College, Lahore fondly narrated an anecdote to me. Long ago in undivided India, he was on a Ved prachar mission in the interior of the Punjab beyond Multan. Hindi was neither spoken nor understood in that remote interior rural Punjab. Going in an ekka, he heard melodious bhajans in Hindi from a group of women WHO WERE ALSO WORKING ON THE SPINNING WHEEL OR CHARKHA POPULARISED BY THE SWADESHI AANDOLAN. Swadeshi was indeed so dear to both Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati and Mahatma Gandhi. Here was a fusion of the Vedic spirituality popularized in the Punjab by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati emerging as bhajans in praise of ISHWAR and lessons in self dependence through the CHARKHA that rekindled the freedom spirit awakened by Mahatma Gandhi. We of the present generation are proud recipients of the rich legacy of both the Maharishi and the Mahatma. Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM Email: sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com UPVAN 609, Sector 29, NOIDA – 201303 Bharat (INDIA). Mobile: 9811173590.

DEMISE OF DAYANAND DEMANDS DELVING DEEP

AUM DEMISE OF DAYANAND DEMANDS DELVING DEEP By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM “However, it is now a part of history how Swami Dayanand Saraswati was betrayed in the State of Jodhpur and poisoned by those whose livelihood was endangered by the enlightening discourses and personal counselings by the Rishivar to the affected persons who were high and mighty, such as courtesan like Nanhi Bhagatan, Muslim Musahibs like Faizullah Khan and his protégé Doctor Ali Mardan Khan. Having suffered from an undiagnosed illness and consequently lack of effective medical treatment, shifting the Swami from place to place when he was in frail health are some of the factors that call for an investigation de novo into his illness and treatment thereof. We may keep the issue alive and take up when the environment is more cordial for a probe. Leaving the legal aspect aside, one may dive deep into the medical aspect of diagnosis, treatment and medication of Swami Dayanand Saraswati in last few months of his life in what was then known as Rajputana; the present day Rajasthan. It was the Diwali evening. The date was 30th October 1883. Swami Dayanand Saraswati who had been suffering for one month one day for lack of proper medical treatment, composed himself, prayed pronouncing Ved mantras and singing a bhajan, bestowing an Aashirwad look to his disciples. He breathed his last serenely. The 59-year old Sanyasi was in pain but his composure and his trust in the dispensation of justice, the karma Phal that he believed in, really convinced one and all who were present in that hall of the Bhinoy Kothi that the Rishivar’s trust in Ishwar was unshakable by matters mundane such as illness and pre-mature demise. Swami’s sad demise a century and three decades ago shocked all Arya Samajists all over Bharat but they recovered soon and vowed to carry on the mission of Dayanand and let the masses be benefitted. Among them was Pt Guru Dutt Vidyarthi, formerly an agnostic bordering atheism, who drew sustenance from the last moments of Swami Dayanand Saraswati and became an Arya pracharak par excellence.” I have quoted the above lines from my own earlier writing based on books,tracts published by renowned Arya Samajists from time to time. Of course, there are other versions of the story of sad demise of Dayanand Saraswati, the great socio-religious reformer, inspired original writer of Ved Bhashya in both Sanskrit and Hindi and founder of the Arya Samaj. A student of history doing research on the life and times of Dayanand Saraswati cannot ignore the folklore that has grown around the life of the Rishivar. Nevertheless, it is the duty of a disciple of Dayanand to ensure that the grain is separated from the chaff and facts in original form are presented to readers. RESEARCH IS NEED OF THE HOUR The story of demise of Dayanand Saraswati has been continually told by the previous generation to the succeeding generation both by word of mouth and in black and white. Change, if any, may be in narration of minor details and the substantive form has remained unaltered. I am now nearing the 80th year of my life and have been hearing the same story year after year since I was a toddler. Many a time both the narrator and the listener were emotionally moved and tears rolled down our cheeks. Even today in the year 2012 when I am typing the narrative on my computer, my eyes are in the repeat mode and parting company with tears. It is amazing that the same story of sad demise of Dayanand Saraswati as told by Devendra Nath Mukhopadhyay, the first researcher and writer of the Rishivar’s biography continued in the Hindi version by Ghasiram Ji and written in original by the tireless collector of facts and interviews, Pundit Lekh Ram Ji, Arya Musafir without any substantial change in fact or form. The original historians banked upon what they heard and recorded after interviewing the people who had met and talked to Swami Dayanand Saraswati or other gentlemen who were close to the doyen among martyrs, the first one to lay down his life at the altar of the Vedic Dharm. Perhaps this kind of interview was the only reliable form of collecting, collating and disseminating information of importance. The degree of reliability was acceptable by men of letters and historians. Moreover, the researchers and recorders belonged to the middle class of the social order and found their access to the Royalty of Jodhpur barred by the intermediary court officials. Rajputana being a citadel of feudal system, the class distinction between the Royalty, the courtiers and commoners was well pronounced and meticulously observed. No wonder the Maharaja of Jodhpur took too long to pay his first courtesy call on Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Times have changed now. Interaction between the high and the low is no taboo now. It is time a Research Team is constituted and it stays put in Jodhpur for some time to delve deep into the relationship between Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the court officials, especially the Muslim courtiers, the courtesan, Nanhi Bhagtan alias Nanhi Jan to determine the circumstances leading to now pronounced and now subdued interaction between the Ascetic and the Durbar.The face off between a nephew of court minister Faizullah Khan and the Vedic reformer Sanyasi during a preaching session is well recorded. However, the lead ends there and does not throw light on the nexus between the court dancer and the Muslim courtiers leading to a murderous conspiracy. One wonders if there is any recorded version of the court dancer’s palanquin being helped to depart post haste from the Durbar on Swami’s sudden appearance on the scene. Rishivar had written three letters to His Highness about proper way of running the court and behavior of Rajputs vis-à-vis prostitutes but only two are availacle and recorded in a book form entitled Maharishi Dayanand’s letters and advertisements published by Ramlal Kapoor Trust of Amritsar. It is worth trying to find out why the third letter is missing and if there is more to it than meets the eye. Another angle is that the time gap of a century plus between then and now will be a virtual obstruction in the research work. Further, the vested interests comprising descendants of the affected people might block the path of research like the China wall. Never mind that because when you take up a good cause, obstructionists are bound to come in play. As we say; when you perform a yajna, the Rakshasas are sure to put in an appearance to spoil the show. We have to face them and remove the Durit and imbibe the Bhadra. The most important aspect of our intended research will be the medical angle leading to the sad demise of Dayanand Saraswati. An experienced physician who is well versed in the medico-legal cases cannot but be an important member of the research team. It is a part of recorded history that Swami Dayanand Saraswati remained ill, initially mildly but later severely to the point of fainting and losing consciousness and continued to be in that deteriorating medical condition for one month one day before breathing his last at Ajmer. The sad episode stands described right in the first couple of paragraphs of this article. What appears to be a criminal neglect of the doctor, Ali Mardan Khan that he gave strong doses of medicines leading to open bleeding soars on Swamiji’s body. They were so painful and he was being moved from place to place under uncomfortable conditions. Since there was no railway line to Jodhpur, Swamiji was moved in a cart and then by train from Pali to Abu Road. Who was the doctor who advised this move? It was not Dr Lakshman Singh. Of course, meanwhile he was posted at Ajmer and desired to handle the case himself. Civil Surgeon Newman too was consulted but it was a case of too little and too late. The medical handling of Swamiji’s case by Dr Ali Mardan Khan, a protégé of courtier Faizullah Khan of Jodhpur was nothing short of criminal negligence and a fit case for re-examination in medico-legal term. I quite know that a dead man is beyond the reach of long arm of the law but an endeavour to reach the Truth will satisfy the Arya Samaj people and record correct story of the sad demise in the annals of the Arya Samaj. Thus a competent research team is the crying need of the hour and those who wish to follow the path of Truth cannot shirk their responsibility now. BRIDGING TIME GAP There are researches going on on the lives and times of great poets, dramatists and prose writers in English literature. The dedicated scholars spend a lifetime in looking for new facts and sometimes draw a blank. At times a research scholar has to remain contented with partial success only. Yet the State funding is done for carrying on the research work. The Harvard University promotes original research and publishing of the Thesis to the extent of linking it to pay raise and promotion. Thus the Mantra for research is : PUBLISH OR PERISH. In the Arya Samaj there is a crying need for original research and here is an opportunity that presents itself to be grabbed by the leadership. As of now no other organization is better equipped than the Arya Pradeshik Pratinidhi Sabha and the DAV College Management Committee to undertake an assignment of this nature. The Pradhan and the Adhyaksh is young and energetic and he may be bold enough to steer the project in uncharted sea. A decision may be made and the time is now. Rewriting the history of demise of Dayanand Saraswati to bring out the Truth is the sacred duty of the Arya Samajists who have taken a pledge to carry the mission of Dayanand Saraswati forward. Let us redeem our pledge. The time to redeem the pledge is now. Email: sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com Mobile. 9811173590.