Virajanand Dandeesha (विरजानंद दंडीशा)

Bhaktamal | Virajanand Dandeesha
Real Name - Virajanand
Other Names - Virajanand Dandeesha Swami
Guru - Purnanand Giri
Disciple - Dayanand Saraswati
Born - 1778
Place of Birth - Kartarpur, Jalandhar, Punjab
Died - 14 September 1868 (age 90)
Marital Status - Unmarried
Language - Sanskrit
Famous - Spiritual SaintVirjananda Dandisha Swami, also known as the Blind Sage of Mathura, was the famous teacher of Arya Samaj founder Dayananda Saraswati. He was a scholar and teacher of Sanskrit grammar and Vedic literature. Virjananda Dandisha Swami, lost his eyesight at the age of five due to an attack of smallpox.

Virjananda Dandisha Swami established a school in Mathura, which attracted students from all over the country. The expenses of the school were met by donations from Rajput princes and no fees were charged from the students. Coincidentally, at about the same time, Dayanand Saraswati was roaming around the country in search of a guru. Dayananda's meeting In 1860, Dayananda traveled to Mathura to meet Virjananda. In the first meeting, Virjananda asked about his purpose and education.

Dayanand underwent rigorous training under Virjanand. As Gurudakshina, Virjananda took a promise from Dayananda that he would devote his life to the revival of Hinduism. He will work to spread "Aarsh" literature and knowledge of Vedas in the country. Due to his extraordinary devotion and service spirit, Dayananda soon became his most beloved and most famous disciple.

Virjananda died on 14 September 1868 at the age of 90. On 14 September 1971, the Posts and Telegraphs Department of India issued a postage stamp in his honour, depicting Swami in a sitting posture.