September 23

Christian Thomasius was born in 1655 in Leipzig, Germany. As a jurist and philosopher, he championed the use of the German language in academic lectures instead of Latin. His writings advocated for legal reform, religious toleration, and the separation of church and state. Thomasius held a professorship at the University of Halle and influenced the development of Enlightenment thought in Germany. He died in 1728, leaving a lasting impact on jurisprudence and educational practice.

Born in Chennai in 1930, Dayananda Saraswati became a respected teacher of Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the unity of Atman and Brahman. In 1962 he founded the first Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Rishikesh to offer structured spiritual education. He traveled internationally, lecturing on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the principles of non-dualism. His accessible teaching style attracted a diverse following, including many Western students. Over five decades he established several centers in Europe, North America, and Asia. He authored numerous commentaries that clarified ancient scriptures for modern audiences. His legacy persists through the global network of Arsha Vidya centers and his recorded teachings.