Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c11.s13.6

c11.s13.6

Dayānanda’s fiery speeches against idolatry and orthodoxy created furor and they also led the *sanātanīs* to unite and re-organize themselves. When idols of gods were being thrown in rivers,¹⁰² Shraddharam Phullori with the help of several others established a society called Sanatan Dharm Rakshini Sabha. The Sabha organized itself on the lines of Arya Samaj — with schools, newspapers and magazines and *upadeśakas* (preachers). This led to a debate. The main discourse of the *sanātanīs* states that *Satyārthaprakāśa* is full of glaring mistakes, Dayananda’s interpretation of Vedas is defective, the Arya Samaj itself is un-Vedic, several of its teaching are opposed to the Vedas, Dayananda and his followers are atheists, his teachings are harmful for the cause of Hindu unity and nationalism.