Incident that turned Dayanand Saraswati against idol worship.

Primary Social Studies - Book Five
By Raj Kumar & S.Jeet
Frank Bros. & CO.

Swami Dayanand was born in 1824 in a Brahmin family of Kathiwar. His real name was 'Mool Shanker' The name Dayanand was later given to him by his master (guru). His father was a priest in a temple. Dayanand used to sit with him during prayers (pooja). Once on the occasion of shivaratri festival, when his father was performing pooja in the temple, Mool Shanker was also present with him. An event that happened on that fateful day changed his whole outlook. Mool Shanker observed a mouse climbing up the idol of Shiva. It nibbled at the sweets placed before the idol of Shiva. Mool Shanker got very much disturbed by this. He wondered why the Shiva could not prevent the mouse from climbing up the idol and eating the offerings. Failing to get convince, He concluded that idols of gods are powerless and as such it is useless to worship idols.