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Dayanada and Arya Samaj 15
It is true that his translation was an
interpretation, and that there is much to criticise with
regard to accuracy' as well as with regard to the
rigidity of the dogmas and principles he drew from
the text, the absolute infallibility claimed for
the one book, which according to him had emanated
direct from the "Prehuman" or Superhuman
his word and offered him its regular co-operation. He
refused its offer, therefore taking away from the
Theosophical Society all chance of spiritual dominion over
India. It has since played a secondary part but has been
useful from the social point of view, if the establishment in
1899 of the Central Hindu College at Banares is to be
attributed to the influence of Mrs. Besant The Anglo
American element, preponderant its strange mixture of East
andWest, has twisted in a curious way the vast and liberal
system of Hindu metaphysics by its spirit of noble but
limited pragmatism. Futher it must be noted that it has given
itself a kind of pontifical and infallible authority, allowing
of no appeal, which though veiled is none-the-less
implacable, and has appeared in this light to independent
minds such as that of Vivekananda, who has, we shall see,
on his return from America categorically denounced it.
On this subject there is an article by G.R. Monod
Herten, written in its favour, "an Indo-European Influence,
the Theosophical Society, (Feuilles de I' Idde, No. I Paris
1928), and a brilliant, comprehensive, and malicious
chapter by Count H. Keyserling in his Travel Diary of a
Philosopher, 1918.)
1
But not his passionate loyalty, which remains
proof against all attack.