Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1930-2015) was a Hindu sannyasi, a teacher of Advaita Vedanta, and the founder of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam and AIM For Seva. He was born as Natarajan in Tamil Nadu and had a diverse educational and professional background before becoming a spiritual teacher.

Swami Dayananda became involved with the Chinmaya Mission in the 1950s and played various roles in the organization. He studied under Swami Pranavananda to deepen his understanding of Vedanta and underwent sannyasa initiation in 1962.

After leaving the Chinmaya Mission in 1982, Swami Dayananda established the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Rishikesh, India, and later in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. He taught numerous residential Vedanta courses and had many students who went on to teach Vedanta, Sanskrit, and Paninian grammar around the world.

Swami Dayananda had notable disciples, including Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, and other students from both Indian and Western backgrounds.

Apart from his spiritual work, Swami Dayananda was involved in various organizations. He founded the All India Movement for Seva (AIM For Seva) in 2000, an NGO focused on education and healthcare for rural children in India. He also played a role in the Millenium Peace Summit and the formation of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, an organization representing Sanatana Dharma.

Swami Dayananda established the Swami Dayananda Educational Trust (SDET) to promote education and community development in his hometown of Manjakkudi, Tamil Nadu. The trust manages educational institutions and community programs in the area.

Swami Dayananda's teachings and legacy continue through his disciples and the institutions he founded.

Swami Dayananda has been actively involved in interfaith dialogues, participating in Hindu-Jewish conferences and Hindu-Buddhist summits. He has worked to promote the preservation of ancient cultures and religious practices in India, such as Vedic heritage and temple worship. Swami Dayananda has been involved in litigation, including a case challenging the constitutional validity of Hindu Religious Endowments and Institutions Acts. He has published numerous works through the Arsha Vidya Research and Publication Trust, covering topics such as Advaita Vedanta, the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, Ishvara, and prayer. Swami Dayananda also had an interest in music and composed original compositions.