Q. Consider the following statements regarding “Dayananda Saraswati”:
1.He wanted to shape society on the basis of the Vedas.
2.He disregarded the puranas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C
Notes:

Explanation: In 1875 Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj and published his major work the Satyarth Prakash.In his view, contemporary Hinduism had become degenerate.

  • Therefore he rejected puranas, polytheism, idolatry, the role of Brahmin priests, pilgrimages, many rituals and the prohibition on widow marriage.
  • As a good Sanskrit scholar, he made a call to“Back to the Vedas”. He wanted to shape society on the basis of the Vedas.
  • He disregarded the puranas. Like the other social reformers, he encouraged female education and remarriage of widows.

Source: Tamil Nadu NCERT