Attempts and Assasination of Maharishi Dayananda Saraswathi - Anand Nath ji Aughar

Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati died in 1883 at the age of 59. While there are different accounts of his death, it is generally believed that he died of natural causes, possibly of a heart attack or malaria.

There is no evidence to suggest that he was assassinated. Maharishi Dayananda's teachings and legacy continue to have a significant impact on Indian society, particularly through the Arya Samaj movement that he founded. Dayananda was subjected to many unsuccessful assassinations attempts on his life.

But according to his supporters, he was poisoned on a few occasions, but due to his regular practice of Hatha Yoga, he survived all such attempts. One story tells that attackers once attempted to drown him in a river, but Dayananda dragged the assailants into the river instead, though he released them before they drowned.

Another account claims that he was attacked by Muslims who were offended by his criticism of Islam while meditating on the Ganges river. They threw him into the water but he is claimed to have saved himself because his pranayama practice allowed him to stay under water until the attackers left

In 1883, the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Jaswant Singh II, invited Dayananda to stay at his palace. The Maharaja was eager to become Dayananda's disciple and to learn his teachings. Dayananda went to the Maharaja's restroom during his stay and saw him with a dancing girl named Nanhi Jaan.

Dayananda asked the Maharaja to forsake the girl and all unethical acts and to follow the dharma like a true Arya (noble). Dayananda's suggestion offended Nanhi, who decided to take revenge. On 29 September 1883, she bribed Dayananda's cook, Jagannath, to mix small pieces of glass in his nightly milk.

Dayananda was served glass-laden milk before bed, which he promptly drank, becoming bedridden for several days, and suffering excruciating pain. The Maharaja quickly arranged doctor's services for him.

However, by the time doctors arrived, his condition had worsened, and he had developed large bleeding sores. Upon seeing Dayananda's suffering, Jagannath was overwhelmed with guilt and confessed his crime to Dayananda.

On his deathbed, Dayananda forgave him, and gave him a bag of money, telling him to flee the kingdom before he was found and executed by the Maharaja's men.

Later, the Maharaja arranged for him to be sent to Mount Abu as per the advice of Residency, however, after staying for some time in Abu, on 26 October 1883, he was sent to Ajmer for better medical care.

There was no improvement in his health and he died on the morning of the Hindu festival of Diwali on 30 October 1883 chanting mantras.

There is no clear evidence that Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati was the target of any assassination attempts during his lifetime. However, it is known that he faced opposition and criticism from some quarters for his reformist teachings and efforts to promote Hindu values.

He was once attacked and beaten by a group of orthodox Hindus who disagreed with his views. Despite these challenges, Maharishi Dayananda continued to work towards his goal of reforming Hindu society and promoting Vedic values.