Arya Samaj - Principles

Principles

On the 24th of June, 1877, the second major Arya Samaj was established at Lahore. However, the original list of 28 rules and regulations drafted by Dayanand for the Rajkot Arya Samaj and used for the Bombay Arya Samaj were deemed to be too unwieldy. Therefore, it was proposed that the principles should be reduced and simplified, while the bylaws should be removed to a separate document. Everyone present, including Swami Dayanand, agreed, and the 10 Principles of the Arya Samaj, as they are known around the world today, came into existence.

All subsequently established branches of the Arya Samaj have been founded upon the ten principles. However, each new branch of the Society has a degree of freedom in determining the exact by laws under which it shall operate. Everyone who wishes to become a member of the Society must agree to uphold these principles in their entirety. However, nothing beyond these 10 Principles has any binding force on any member of the Arya Samaj. For this reason, the early Samaj proved to be attractive to individuals belonging to various religious communities, and enjoyed a notable degree of converts from segments of the Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Muslim populations of Indian society.

Of the ten, the first three principles are seen as comprising the doctrinal core of the Arya Samaj, as they summarize the member’s beliefs in regard to God/ishwer, the nature of Divinity and the authority of the Vedas. The remaining seven principles reflect the reformative ambitions of the Samaj in regard to both the individual and society at large.

1. The first (efficient) cause of all true knowledge and all that is known through knowledge is God, the Highest Lord (Parameshwar).
2. God (Ishwara) is Blissful, Existent, Formless, Infinite, Almighty, Omnipotent, Just, Merciful, Omnipresent,All pervading, Omnisicient, Eternal, Unborn, Endless, Unchangeable, Beginningless, Immortal, Imperishable, Fearless, Incomparable,Holy, Support of all and Creater of Universe. He alone is worthy of being worshipped. Creator of the Universe
3. Vedas are the scripture of true knowledge. It is the first duty of the Arya's to read them, teach them, hearing them being read and recite them.
4. One should always be ready to accept Truth and give up Untruth.
5. One should do everything according to the dictates of Dharma, i.e. after due reflection over right and wrong.
6. Doing good to the whole world is the primary objective of this society, i.e. to look to its physical, spiritual and social welfare.
7. Let thy dealing with all be regulated by love and justice, in accordance with the dictates of Dharma.
8. One should promote knowledge (vidya) and dispel ignorance (avidya).
9. One should not be content with one's own welfare alone, but should look for one's welfare in the welfare of all.
10. One should regard oneself under restriction to follow altruistic rulings of society, while all should be free in following the rules of individual welfare.

Drawing what are seen to be the logical conclusions from these principles, the Arya Samaj also unequivocally condemns practices such as polytheism, iconolatry, animal sacrifice, ancestor worship, pilgrimage, priestcraft, the belief in Avatars or incarnations of God, the hereditary caste system, untouchability and child marriage on the grounds that all these lack Vedic sanction.