Module 2: The Role of Satyarth Prakash in Religious Reforms in Study of Satyarth Prakash (VSVV)

This module delves into the pivotal work authored by Maharṣi Dayanand Sarasvat, a cornerstone text for religious and social reform. This module examines Dayanand's critical analysis of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, highlighting his advocacy for a return to the Vedas. By rejecting ritualism, idol worship, and caste discrimination, Dayanand promotes rational inquiry, scriptural consistency, and universal moral principles aimed at purifying Hinduism and inspiring broader reform. Additionally, the module explores his critiques of Jainism and Buddhism, focusing on their deviation from Vedic principles. It emphasizes the reintegration of knowledge, action, devotion, and social duty, alongside the balance between ahiṃsā (non-violence) and kṣātra-dharma (duty of a warrior), underscoring ethical restraint, social responsibility, and self-defense as integral to true dharma. Furthermore, the module addresses Dayanand’s comparative religious critique, including his perspectives on Christianity and Islam. It reflects on his goal to foster philosophical reform, intellectual clarity, moral responsibility, and social harmony, ultimately aspiring to establish a unified, rational, and ethically grounded spiritual civilization.