Uttarakhand Governor Krishan Kant Paul paid homage to the venerated preacher of Vedanta, Swami Dayananda Saraswati on the occasion of his first death anniversary at Munikireti in Rishikesh on Monday. Dedicating a special commemorative postal cover prepared by India Post as asked by the governor, Paul also formally announced the change of name of the Purani Shishamjhadi area located near Swami Dayananda’s Ashram into Swami Dayananda Nagar.
Expressing his views on the occasion, the Governor said that naming the place after Swami Dayananda and the issuance of a commemorative postal stamp was a humble tribute to the great seer who had dedicated his entire life to the study and preaching of the Vedanta in India and elsewhere across the world.
He said, “Naming Purani Shishamjhadi after Swami Dayananda Saraswati will broaden the aspects of the sage’s teachings and further boost the spiritual ambiance of this area in accordance with the aim of the seer.
It was also due to his deep study of the Vedanta and imbibing of the teachings therein that the Swami was revered by many as a great guru on Vedanta. Many centres of Vedanta study and teaching were opened up in places across the world under his guidance. Apart from pursuance of the Vendantic philosophy, Swami Dayananda Saraswati had also undertaken many works for human welfare with the All India Movement (AIM) For Seva movement being one of the major initiative started by the sage as part of which education and medical treatment services are being provided to the people in the remote areas of India. We are fortunate to have such priceless heritage of India’s spiritualism, culture and values which have given an international identity to Haridwar and Rishikesh towns for the spiritual aspects. People from around the world in search of peace and self realization visit these two towns to pursue their goals.
The Dayananda Ashram is an important place for those with spiritual tendencies. In these times of stressful lives, Swamiji’s thoughts provide much help in keeping the mind stable,” he said.
Referring to the old days when the Swami was known by the name of Natarajan before becoming an ascetic, the governor said that attracted by the Indian philosophy he had come here to study Advaita Vedanta under Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati after which he formally renounced and became a Sanyasin in 1962 to be known as Swami Dayananda.
The governor also exhorted the gathering on the occasion to commit themselves to further spreading the Vedanta philosophy as propounded by Swami Dayananda across the nation and the whole world.
His teachings are the timeless truths which are above the boundaries of time, religion and geographical boundaries, added the governor.