Why the Arya Samaj of India, Originating from the Most Respected Scripture 'VEDA', Has a Following of Only 8 Million
Arya Samaj, the religious movement founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, is often discussed in the context of its influence within Hinduism. Despite its origins rooted in the ancient Vedic scriptures, Arya Samaj has failed to achieve the widespread following that might be expected given the cultural and religious landscape of India. This analysis aims to provide a critical look at Arya Samaj’s theological and social impact, which explains its limited appeal.
Theological Front: A Skeptical Stance on Vedas and Agamas
Theological Background: Arya Samaj is not traditionally associated with Vedantic thought. They diverge from conventional Hindu interpretations by having no commentaries on the Brahmasūtras and a version of the Bhagavad-gītā that contains only 70 verses, where the divinity of Bhagvan (God) is negated. Additionally, Arya Samaj lacks agamic (scriptural) leanings and has not received the Vedas through an unbroken student-teacher tradition, thereby undermining their credibility.
However, Arya Samaj is known for its critical approach to other religious schools. Yet, their critiques lack rigorous logical backing and scriptural support, leading to confused and unsatisfactory examinations of other religious and philosophical systems. This approach often results in embarrassing public debates, where their arguments are one-sided and incomplete.
Social Impact: A Reactionary Movement
Social Movements: Arya Samaj emerged as a counterforce against the predatory missionary activities of Abrahamic faiths in India. However, its efforts have arguably led to more reactionary movements, such as the Tablighi Jamaat and the Singh Sabha. While Arya Samaj had some influence on the Indian freedom movement, notably on individuals like Bhagat Singh, its overall impact has been controversial.
Arya Samaj's influence peaked during the partition of India, where their support was concentrated in the northwestern region. With the announcement of partition, their groundswell quickly dissipated, leading to a decline in their popularity and influence.
Criticisms and Controversies
Public Performances and Debates: In contemporary times, Arya Samaj faces criticism for its practices. They are known to conduct marriages for eloping couples and caste upgradations, offering false promises and collecting substantial fees. These practices have brought them into public debates, often as a purvapaksha (opposing view) of Sanātana Dharma (a term often used by traditional Hinduists).
For instance, Pandit Mansaram wrote a book, Sanatana Dharmis, which has been criticized for aligning Arya Samaj with Sanatana Dharma in a manner that does not align with traditional Hindu beliefs. Additionally, allegations such as Sita Ram Goel’s account of Dayanand Saraswati defecating inside a temple add to the controversy surrounding the movement’s leaders and practices.
Why Only 8 Million?
The question posed initially is why Arya Samaj has only achieved a following of 8 million amidst a total Hindu population of 1350 million. Despite having a strong start and a cultural foundation in Vedic traditions, the movement’s inability to provide substantive logical and scriptural support for its beliefs, combined with its reactionary nature and controversial practices, has limited its appeal.
Arya Samaj has managed to find a niche but is not yet considered a mainstream force in Hinduism. This suggests that the movement has punched above its weight, managing to achieve 8 million followers given its current focus and activities.
Conclusion: Arya Samaj’s limited following can be attributed to its scrutiny of other schools of thought without rigorous backing, its reactive stance, and controversial practices. While it has had some influence, particularly during certain historical periods, its current impact and credibility are still questioned by many adherents and non-adherents of Hinduism.