Virajanand Dandeesha, also known as the blind sage of Mathura was the celebrated teacher of Arya Samaj founder Dayanand Saraswati. He was a scholar and teacher of Sanskrit grammar and Vedic literature.
Virajanand was born in Kartarpur near Jalandhar in the year 1778 in a Mohyal family. At the age of five, he lost his eyesight from an attack of small pox. Soon thereafter his father, who had initiated him into the rudiments of Sanskrit learning died. Leaving him to the mercy of his elder brother and sister-in-law at very young age. As they did not treat him well, the temperamental Virjanand soon left their home.
His wanderings took him to Rishikesh where he led a life of meditation and austerity for about three years. Tradition has it that Swami Virjanand left Rishikesh for Hardwar at the instance of a divine command. At Hardwar, he came in contact with The swami Purnanand Giri, a Sanskrit scholar who initiated him into 'sanyas'. Purnanand created in him a deep love for Sanskrit grammar and for the "arsha" Shastras (scriptures authored by Rishis). Soon, he began to master other branches of Sanskrit literature, and also took up teaching others.
Virjanand died on 14 September 1868, at the age of 90. On 14 September 1971, the Post and Telegraph Department of India released a stamp in his honor depicting the swami in a sitting posture.
