There are many stories that reveal the greatness of Swami Dayanada. One such story of his greatest is retold below:

Swami Dayananda was a tiger of Truth—he was never one to cower before the insolent might. That doesn’t mean that he would recklessly put himself in harm’s way, but neither would he hesitate to speak the truth to save others from harming themselves (through ignorance or manipulation). At the behest of his Guru (Swami Virjananda) he traveled all over India, sharing his wisdom with all, and guiding those who would listen to him. In the end, he was poisoned by a cook who had been misguided (through greed) by those whose special selfish interests were threatened by Swamiji’s clarity and candor. The story goes like this. . . . .

India under the British Raj had degenerated into a hodgepodge of small empires , all too often ruled by selfish Maharajas who had acquiesced to British rule (as a result of bribery or other manipulation). Even the Rajputs (who were known for their fierce patriotism) had fallen into self-degradation. Swamiji wanted to awaken these Maharajas to enlist their support and influence in freeing India from foreign rule and self-deception.

Swamiji was invited by the Maharaja of Jodpur, Rajhasthan, to stay in his palace as an honored guest. The Maharaja respected Swamiji very much and was eager to receive his counsel. But, unfortunately, it seems the Maharaja did not respect himself—he had endeared himself to a low-charactered woman who entertained the Maharaja with her lewd dancing and female wiles. Swamiji happened upon them one day as they were selfishly engrossed in each other, and boldly reprimanded the Maharaja as thus:

“Oh King, what is this I see? A lion in the company of a she-dog?! This is unbefitting of an Arya. Your duty is like that of a father to his children. Your people look up to you for protection and guidance. But you are keeping the company of a street bitch and bringing defame to your name, your family, and the human race. Throw away your selfish and degrading habits! Awaken from the coma of ignorance and hearken to the call of your soul! You are Arya Putra, a son of God—be true to your name and stand on your own two feet like a man of God! Stop making excuses for your selfish habits and leave these crutches of your ego! You are not a four-legged animal–then why do you cuddle at the feet of this fallen mother, like a little puppy dog? Utishtha! Arise and be true to your nature—follow your Dharma like your forefathers; polish and preserve your character and become a shining gem in the crown of the Almighty.”

The Maharaja realized his folly and felt much ashamed, and broke off all contact with this woman. As the saying goes, “There is no fury like a woman spurned.” This vile person (who was a well-known high-class prostitute of the day) was extremely vexed. It is said that the British rulers of that area got word of this and used it to their advantage: they plotted with her to murder Swami Dayanada by giving her money to bribe the Maharaja’s cook to poison Swamiji.

The cook, persuaded by greed and manipulation, carried out the wicked task entrusted upon him. One evening, just before Swamiji was retiring, the cook brought Swamiji warm milk containing poison and ground glass. After drinking the concoction, Swamiji retired for the evening, later to awaken in extreme pain. He realized immediately that he had been poisoned and attempted to purge his digestive system of the poisonous substance, but alas, it had already made its way into his blood stream.

Swamiji became bedridden and suffered excruciating pain. Over the course of the next several weeks, highly qualified doctors were called to help, but none could stop the effects of the poison. In the end, Swamiji’s body was covered all over with large bleeding sores caused by the shredded glass and poison.

Just before Swamiji’s last days, the cook, overcome with unbearable guilt and remorse, approached Swamiji in tears and confessed his crime. Swamiji (who knew all along the identity of his assassin) listened to the confession of the anguished cook.

Forgiving that tormented soul, Swamiji gave the cook a bag of money and told him to flee the country lest he be found out and executed by the Maharaja’s men. Such was the compassion and mercy of Swami Dayananda.

On Deepvali day, Swamiji’s spirit was released from its mortal frame with the words,

OM. . . . . .Thy Will Be Done. . . . . .OM

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