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Swami Virjananda Saraswati Jayanti

Swami Virjananda Saraswati of Mathura — guru of Maharshi Dayananda

Arya Samaj

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Swami Virjananda Saraswati Jayanti — birth anniversary of Maharshi Dayananda's guru, observed on Phalguna Krishna Tritiya. The day honours the guru-shishya parampara through which the Arya Samaj's vow was conceived in 1863 at Mathura.

Dates 2026–2027

March 6, 2026February 22, 2027

Mantra

ॐ गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥

Om gurur brahma gurur vishnuh gurur devo maheshvarah, guruh sakshat parabrahma tasmai shri gurave namah

The guru is Brahma, the guru is Vishnu, the guru is Maheshvara — the guru is verily the Supreme Brahman; salutations to that revered Guru.

How to recite

Wake before dawn, snan, Sandhya, and a guru-arpit havan. Read the chapters of 'Maharshi Dayananda Ka Jeevan Charitra' (by Pandit Lekhram) that recount Dayananda's three years (1860-1863) under Virjananda at Mathura. Many Arya Samajis offer dakshina to a deserving Veda-acharya or sponsor Veda-paath in his name.

Benefits

Swami Virjananda Saraswati (1779-1868) was a blind, formidable Sanskrit grammarian and Veda-acharya of Mathura. Mool Shankar (Maharshi Dayananda) studied under him for three years (1860-63) — mastering Ashtadhyayi, Mahabhashya, and the Aarsha-system of grammar. At the end of his studies, when Dayananda offered guru-dakshina, Virjananda asked him to dedicate his life to dispelling the avaidik (un-Vedic) practices that had crept into Hindu society and to restoring the supremacy of the Vedas — the very vow that became the Arya Samaj eleven years later in 1875.

✦ Special Note

Per Drik Panchang. Phalguna Krishna Tritiya 2026: March 6 (approximate). Phalguna Krishna Tritiya 2027: February 22 (approximate). Some Arya lineages observe Virjananda Jayanti on different tithis.

Foods Allowed

Strict satvik vegetarian — light, freshly cookedCow's milk, ghee, dahi, fresh fruits, dry fruitsKheer with milk and tulsi

Foods to Avoid

Meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, tobacco, onion, garlicHeavy or rich food — restraint in keeping with the guru's ascetic life

Meal Idea

Light satvik thali — chapati, dal, sabzi, dahi and a small bowl of kheer in the gurudham langar.

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At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.

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