Satyārath Prakāsh

Satyarth Prakash is a significant work by Dayananda Sarasvati, the founder of the Arya Samaj reform movement in India. Sarasvati, a Hindu ascetic and social reformer, advocated for a return to the authority of the Vedas, the earliest Hindu scriptures.1

The book, published in 1875, is considered a foundational text for the Arya Samaj. Dayananda Sarasvati used it to promote his reformist ideas, which included opposing child marriage, advocating for widow remarriage, and opening Vedic study to all castes. The title itself, Satyarth Prakash, translates to "The Light of Truth". The work has influenced social reformers, including Kailash Satyarthi, who adopted "Satyarthi" as his surname, derived from the book's title.12