| Sages,Rushis & Saints |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
DAYANANDA SARASWATHI |
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| The PatriotEven though Maharshi Dayananda aimed at the welfare of all humanity,
he had great love for his motherland, India. Once an English officer was greatly impressed
with Dayananda's speech and said to him, "Swamiji, please go to England and
teach the way of dharma (righteousness). I shall bear all the expenses." There-upon
Swamiji said, "In the few years of life left to me I shall try to spread the
knowledge of the vedas among my countrymen. Once the lamp of wisdom is lighted here, its
light is bound to spread towards the west too."
He did not give a thought to the fame he could attain in foreign lands. He chose to stay in his own country and strive to improve the lot of his countrymen. This shows his boundless love for his country. Once, addressing a huge gathering, Dayananda thundered: "Your ancestors were not uncivilized men living in forests. They were great men who enlightened this world. Your history is not a bundle of defeats. It is the eulogy of the conquerors of the world. Your Vedic Scriptures are not the songs of cowherds. They are the immortal truths which shaped mighty souls like Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. Awake! Arise! Be proud of your glorious history. Take inspiration from it to mould the present. Shame upon the modern education which fills you with contempt for your ancestors!" |
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