Virajanand Dandeesha

Virajanand Dandeesha, also known as the blind sage of Mathura was the celebrated teacher of Arya Samaj founder Dayanand Saraswati. He was a scholar and teacher of Sanskrit grammar and Vedic literature.

Virajanand was born in Kartarpur near Jalandhar in the year 1778 in a Mohyal family. At the age of five, he lost his eyesight from an attack of small pox. Soon thereafter his father, who had initiated him into the rudiments of Sanskrit learning died. Leaving him to the mercy of his elder brother and sister-in-law at very young age. As they did not treat him well, the temperamental Virjanand soon left their home.

His wanderings took him to Rishikesh where he led a life of meditation and austerity for about three years. Tradition has it that Swami Virjanand left Rishikesh for Hardwar at the instance of a divine command. At Hardwar, he came in contact with The swami Purnanand, a Sanskrit scholar who initiated him into 'sanyas'. Purnanand created in him a deep love for Sanskrit grammar and for the "arsha" Shastras (scriptures authored by Rishis). Soon, he began to master other branches of Sanskrit literature, and also took up teaching others.

Virjanand left for Varanasi (Kashi), the well-known city for Sanskrit learning and for higher studies. Here he lived for about 10 years, mastering Mīmāṃsā, Vedanta, Ayurveda, etc. Soon, he came to occupy a place of eminence among the scholars of Varanasi. From Varanasi, Virjanand went to Gaya where he made a comprehensive and critical study of Upanishads continuing the work he had done at Hardwar and at Varanasi. From Gaya, Virjanand went to Calcutta which was, at that time, attracting Sanskrit talent from all over the country. At Calcutta, he lived for a number of years impressing the citizens with his mastery of Sanskrit grammar and literature. In spite of the material comforts he had at Calcutta, Virjanand soon left that city and settled at Gadia Ghat on the banks of the Ganges. It was here that the then Maharaja of Alwar came across him and was greatly impressed. On the invitation of the Maharaja, he went to Alwar where he stayed for some time. At the request of the Maharaja, he wrote "Shabda-Bodh", the manuscript of which is still treasured in the library at Alwar. From Alwar, Virjanand went to Soron and from there to Mathura.

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