Arya Samaj

Devo · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:39 am Post subject: Images of Swamiji!

Namaste,

Below is a picture of Swamiji, which appears to be Swamiji, himself, and not a created Image.

The coloured version of this photograph, which I created from the one below, is found on this forum, somewhere.

Devo · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:42 am Post subject:

Here is another image found here...

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Devo · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:47 am Post subject:

Devo · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:55 am Post subject:

Swamiji's Birthplace. Compliments of Tankara Online...

Devo · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:47 pm Post subject:

Source: click here

arunk · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:57 pm Post subject:

I read somewhere Swamiji was a very tall person but the article did not mention how tall.
Is there any information available about his physical appearance?

Prabhat · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:18 pm Post subject:

Devo · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:29 pm Post subject:

Namaste,

You're welcome, Bhai Prabhat.

Bhai Arun, I don't have a concise description of Swamiji, other than those seen in the pictures. If you take a look at the very first image in this thread, you would get a better idea, as to what Swamiji looked like.

Shishya · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:17 am Post subject:

Namaste,

I just found a rare, early picture of Swamiji. I found it in an old copy of Durga Prasad's translation of the Satyarth Prakash. I'm not sure about the date, but I would say it must be from before 1863, i.e. before he left Mathura. It is a real picture, like the one Bhai Dev posted above, and not an artist's rendition or compilation.

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Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Shyena · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject:

I'd simply say, fascinating..
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Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam meditate

Namaste

Prabhat · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

wow
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Namaste,
Prabhat

Arya Putra · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:47 am Post subject:

The Problem with Images

The problem with images is that they are limiting. From a physical image we create a mental image, and vice versa. Images are unreal, because what is real can never be imagined. Our body is NOT a likeness of the Self (Atman). It has practically no resemblance to the Self at all. The body is considered to be the ‘micro of the macro’ because it is the universe is microform. The cells, tissues, organs, blood (etc.) resemble planets, solar systems, constellations, galaxies, nebulae, etc. But there is nothing of this body that resembles our Atman.

When we look in the mirror, we are NOT seeing our selves, because our Self cannot be perceived with the senses. In reality, the reflection we see in the mirror is not even the body; it is a reflection only. We can directly see our hands, arms, legs, feet, chest, and belly, but no one has ever seen their own face— only a reflection or image of it. In the same way, we (the Self) can directly perceive the ego, intellect, mind, senses, and body, but we can only ‘see’ our Self by means of the purified ‘mind’ (Antarkarana Chatushtaya).

The images of Maharishi Dayananda are not true representations of who he was, because who he was is who he is, who he has always been, and who he will always be, and that is the Self. Maharishi Dayananda expressly stated that he did NOT want people to keep his picture after his death because he did not want people to fall into the trap of image-worship. He did not want people to adore the shadow of his physical form but wanted everyone to look within themselves and discover their own immortality, their own imageless, eternal Soul. Unless we turn inward to our own Atman, it is impossible to realize the Supreme Self and attain the Supreme Bliss.

Last year both my parents (Guru-parents) passed away (at a ripe old age). Looking at the many photographs of Mataji and Pitaji in the various years of their life, I questioned in my mind which photograph was a true likeness of who they were. I came to the conclusion that NONE of them were a true likeness. Looking out the window and seeing the sun, I realized the fire bore the closest resemblance to their real nature.

Since ancient times, wise people have looked to the sun and fire as the most accurate ‘images’ of GOD. Maharishi Dayananda left his mortal coil on Deepavali (the Festival of Lights) so that we could remember him as a spark of that Supreme Fire of Divine Consciousness.

Each and every one of us is an eternal spark of Consciousness. The Light of the Soul will never be extinguished, but the perception of that Light in the mind can only occur when the mind is free of all images.

It is okay to keep pictures of great souls (and loved ones, such as family members), because it can keep their ‘presence’ alive in our mind. But unless that presence was (or is) a living presence (in other words, unless we have had direct contact with them) it is probably ‘just an image’ that we create in our mind and hold on to. These images might be useful to help draw the mind away from other thoughts, but eventually the mind must also be drawn away from the thought of the image too. Unfortunately, many people get stuck on the image.

If the Arya Samaj is ever going to become a spiritual force of universal appeal, it will have to drop ALL its images and really ‘go back to the Vedas,’ which means we will have to become completely imageless. We can always have an appreciation for art (including photographic art) and the beauty of nature, but to experience the fullness of Consciousness we will have to realize our Essence, and that Essence is imageless.

Unless we realize our Essence we will remain unfulfilled and our life will be incomplete. Until we have completed the purpose for which we were born, we will have to continue to revolve in the cycle of birth, life, and death.

Arya Putra

Prabhat · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:20 am Post subject:

Namaste,
i think what you mean,
but i would like to see the man, who brought the Veda's back to us. it is just like microsoft is the most used program in the world, and people would like to see who this man is, an not to worhip him.
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Namaste,
Prabhat