The arya samaj

Arya Samaj founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati on April 10, 1875 in Bombay (now Mumbai), with an objective to eliminate the ills prevalent within the Hindu society at that time. Contrary to some misconceptions, it is not a new religion or a new sect in Hinduism.

Arya Samaj aims to eradicate Ignorance (Agyan), Indigence (Abhav) and Injustice (Anyaya) and, thus, promote love, justice and righteousness towards all, irrespective of race, caste or creed. Arya Samaj follows the principles espoused in the Vedas, which are universally true for all of mankind, to meet the stated objectives. Arya Samaj believes in one Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Merciful, eternal reality called Om, which is the source of all intelligence, justice and bliss.

One of the main missions of the Arya Samaj has been education with an special emphasis of imparting it to the women. Arya Samaj is currently one of the largest providers of education in India, from pre-school to graduate level.

As Indians moved away from the borders of India to settle in other lands, several carried with them the principles of Arya Samaj. They established branches of Arya Samaj in their adopted countries in order to continue the good work, to educate their offspring about the rich history, cultural heritage and traditions of India, and to inspire them to carry on the beliefs and practices of Arya Samaj.

In North America, a number of Arya Samaj organizations have been formed since the 1970s. They gradually become an essential part of the Hindu Community and serve as houses of worship as well as community centers. In the year 1991, they came together to form the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha America, a congress of Arya Samaj in North America.

The ten principles of arya samaj

1. God, His Characteristics

The Primordial Root - the Eternal Unseen Sustainer - of all true knowledge and of objects made known by true knowledge - any of all these - is the-Supreme God.

2. His Attributes and Worship

God is Personification of Existence, Intelligence and Bliss. He is Eternal, Formless, Almighty, Just, Benevolent, Unborn, Endless and Infinite, Unchangeable, Incomparable, Support of All, Lord of All, All-pervading, Omniscient and Controller of all from within, Fearless, Holy and Creator of the Universe. To Him alone is worship due.

3. His Word, the Vedas

The Vedas are the books of true knowledge. It is the paramount duty of every Arya to learn and teach the Vedas.

4. Truth

We should be ever ready to embrace truth and to forsake untruth.

5. Righteousness

All acts should be done in accordance with Dharma after deliberating what is right and wrong.

6. Benevolence

The prime object of the Arya Samaj is to do good to the world, that is, to promote physical, spiritual and social good of every sentient being

7. Love and Justice

Our conduct towards all should be guided by love, righteousness and justice.

8. Nescience and Science

We should dispel "avidya" - nescience, and promote "vidya" - science, spiritual and physical.

9. Individualism and Altruism

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.

10. Subordination and Liberty

All men should subordinate themselves to the laws of society calculated to promote the well-being of all; they should be free in regard to the laws promoting individual wellbeing.