As a mark of commemorating the 150th Birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo and 200th year of the Birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Sri Aurobindo Society in collaboration with the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Puducherry and Arya Samaj organized a National Symposium on ‘Contribution of Sri Aurobindo and Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati on Sanatana Dharma and Swaraj at Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society said that Sri Aurobindo was a philosopher, yogi, and poet who played a major role in the Indian independence movement. Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati was one of the forerunners of the Indian Renaissance and founder of the Arya Samaj and also advocated for the revival of Vedic Knowledge. He also mentioned about the vision of Sri Aurobindo on Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati “Dayananda was one of its great and formative spirits” and “He brings back an old Aryan element into the national character.”

Shri V. Kaliaperumal, Director, Art and Culture said that Sanatana Dharma has its roots from Kashmir to Kayakumari. He emphasized the central principles of the Sanatana Dharma, including chanting of the sacred mantras, worship of the divine powers and means for spiritual transformation. Emphasizing on the purpose of life he spoke on happiness, peace and unity of thoughts, which are essential for the contemporary scenario. He mentioned the contribution of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati and Sri Aurobindo on Swaraja and Sanatana Dharma and said that they have immensely contributed for the freedom movement of India as well as for the upliftment of society based on spirituality.

Chief Guest of the event, Smt. K. Swarnambika, Deputy Secretary, Auroville Foundation said tat Maharshi Dayanand Saraswaty was a social reformer and a Guru. He established Arta Samaj, a revolutionary movement for the revival of Sanatana Dharma. He was the “Make of Modern India’ and emphasized on ‘Go Back to the Veda.’ Highlighting the glory of Sri Aurobindo, she said that Sri Aurobindo established the concept of Integral Yoga and his teachings are relevant to create unity in diversity, peace and sustainable development for the contemporary scenario.

On this occasion, Shri Srinivas Mulugu, Chairman of Sri Aurobindo Society for Andhra Pradesh &Telangana states emphasized on the ‘Contribution of Sri Aurobindo on Swaraj and Sanatana Dharma.’ He mentioned about Sri Aurobindo’s vision of Purna Swaraj, which played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence. He also focussed on the symbolic meaning of Sanatana Dharma based on the collective human race, emphasizing shared values, compassion, and a sense of interconnectedness between communities and cultures. These concepts are interwoven and have played significant roles in shaping the social, political, and spiritual landscape of India. He said ‘Bharat is the laboratory of the soul’ and the spiritual gift of India can be useful for the development of the future of humanity.

Member Secretary, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society also spoke on the vision of Maharshi Dayanand on Sanatana Dharma and Swaraj. He said that Dayanand Saraswati, “Makers of Modern India” was the first to call for Sawrajya on “India for Indians” and he defined Swaraj as the “administration of self” or “democracy.” He worked to revive Vedic ideologies, stressed on Swadeshi, established Arya Samaj and founded the ‘Shuddhi Movement.’ He emphasized on the views of Maharashi Aurobindo “Dayananda’s work brings back such a principle and spirit of the past to vivify a modern mould.” Maharshi Dayananda addressed the issues related to Sanatana Dharma on the basis of the teachings of the Vedas.

Shri Sateesh Kumar, Assistant Professor and State NSS Officer emphasized on the importance of the teachings of Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Sri Aurobindo and said that their ethics needs to be practised and implemented by the contemporary society to create a better world.

Swami Dayananda Saraswati was a renowned Hindu religious leader and founder of the Arya Samaj and Sri Aurobindo was a freedom fighter, a mystic, a spiritual leader, a poet, a yogi, and a teacher, among other things. Both of them contributed to the freedom movement of India as well for the establishment of a glorious future for humanity.

On this occasion, acharyas and students of Vedasharama Gurukulam performed Vedaparayanam. AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society has started significant projects for the documentation and promotion of Vedic Chanting and Intangible Cultural heritage including a digital portal focussing on the relevance of Vedic wisdom for the Contemporary scenario. To listen to our Sanskrit Radio, Click here