Swami Virjanand

Swami Virjanand, revered as the blind sage of Mathura, was born in a Brahmin family near Jullundur in the year 1778. His early life was marked by adversity when he lost his eyesight at the age of five due to smallpox, and subsequently, his parents. Left in the care of his elder brother and sister-in-law, who mistreated him, Virjanand embarked on a journey of self-discovery.

His wanderings led him to Rishikesh, where he immersed himself in meditation and austerity for three years. Guided by a divine command, he traveled to Hardwar, where Swami Purnanand initiated him into sanyas and instilled in him a love for Sanskrit grammar and the “arsha” Shastras. Virjanand then journeyed to Kashi, where he spent a decade mastering various branches of Sanskrit literature and earning eminence among scholars.

Continuing his quest for knowledge, he studied the Upanishads in Gaya before moving to Calcutta, where his mastery of Sanskrit grammar and literature impressed the citizens. Despite the material comforts of Calcutta, Virjanand chose to settle at Gadia Ghat, where he caught the attention of the Maharaja of Alwar. Invited by the Maharaja, he spent some time in Alwar, where he wrote “Shabda-Both.”

From Alwar, Virjanand traveled to Soron and eventually settled in Mathura, where he established a “pathshala” that attracted students from across the country. It was here that he encountered his most illustrious disciple, Dayanand Saraswati. Known for his strict discipline, Virjanand demanded a high standard of diligence from his students, including Dayanand Saraswati, who vowed to spread “arsha” literature and Vedic knowledge in the country as guru-dakshina.

Swami Virjanand passed away on September 14, 1868, at the age of 90. The Posts and Telegraphs Department are honored to commemorate this saint by issuing a stamp depicting him in a sitting posture. The design on the First Day Cover symbolically highlights Swami Virjanand’s lifelong dedication to propagating Vedic knowledge and “arsha Shashtras.”