The Arya Samaj is a socio-cultural organization founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875. It is not a seperate religion but a reform movement within Hinduism. The mission of the Samaj is to mould the lives of its members and all others according to the message of the Vedas with reference to the circumstances of time and place.

Swami Dayanand came at a time when the pure Vedic traditions of scientific adventure, spiritualexploration, philosophical enquiry, intuitive vision, social experimentation and moral renewal had been closed. Indeed, there was a defensive wall of elaborate ritual, rigid custom, empty formulae, and ridiculous superstition.

Swami Dayanand challenged superstition on the one hand and pseudo-modernity on the other. He wanted to redeem the original knowledge of the Vedas, rejuvenate the society and point the way to a dynamic modernity through constant renewal by education. 'Back to the Vedas for the message', he said, 'look round and remodel the forms of living for the material, spiritual and social progress of the world'. He founded the Arya Samaj for the realization of its new program.

The Arya Samaj is a voluntary organization working across the world for physical, moral, spiritual and professional education, eradication of superstition, inculcation of universal values, comparative study of cultures, religious and social systems, with open enquiry and debate for the propagation of truth. The organization is thoroughly democratic and works on the basis of the ten principles formulated by the founder. The principles are universal and have no tinge of sectarianism at all.