VEDIC SANNYASA MANDAL

The Vedic Sannyasa Mandal (V.S.M) represents the spiritual authority of the Arya Samaj South Africa which comprises of Sannyasis who have been initiated into the Order of Sannyasa in accordance with Vedic Rites as prescribed by the Sanskaar Vidhi. The VSM is the paramount custodian of the Arya Samaj South Africa, its structures, its 10 principles and custodian of all the values and principles enshrined in its constitution. The Head of the V.S.M is the Spiritual Head of the Arya Samaj of South Africa who oversees all the structures and activities of the Samaj ensuring they are done according to the dictates of the Vedas.

SWAMI VEDANAND SARASWATI

Spiritual Head of the Arya Samaj South Africa

Swami Vedanand Saraswati was born in Pietermaritzburg. He served as a member of the Arya Samaj (Veda Dharma Sabha Pietermaritzburg) for many years as a youth and was inspired by the teachings of Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati (Founder of the Arya Samaj). After completing his degree in BCom Accounting Sciences at the University of Pretoria in 2012, he went abroad to India to complete his studies on Vedic scriptures and spiritual austerity, observing the strict discipline of a Brahmacharya (conduct and discipline consistent with spiritual study and living). Realising the inner call to serve and uplift humanity spiritually, as well as heeding the need of guiding and setting an example to the youth, who are today exposed to many vices that destroy their character, he was initiated into the Order of Sannyasa by H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji, Spiritual Head and President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, India on the 14th of June 2016. In 2019, Swamiji was chosen to serve as the Spiritual Head of the Arya Samaj and embark on his vision for the future of the Arya Samaj South Africa and help drive all the projects of the Sabha, as well and embark on new ones. Swamiji remains committed to the social welfare and spiritual education of the people by promoting the Vedic value system and spreading the knowledge of the Vedas to all.

SWAMI MAITREYI

Swami Maitreyi, born in South Africa, was initiated into the order last year at the International Arya Samaj Conference in Delhi. She was presented upon her initiation to the community by Baba Ramdev, world renowned yogi. Earlier as a widow she suffered abuse and was overcome by a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. She heard about the Arya Samaj on a radio programme and was attracted by its promotion of women’s rights and impressed by the number of female priests who are given the same, if not, greater status in the Samaj. She subsequently studied the Priest’s course and graduated as a Vedic Priest. She also spent time at the Narain Jeawon Vedic Centre where the community of over 35 000 informal residents are provided with primary health care. It was at the Centre she decided that she would like to dedicate her life to this cause.