Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s influence on modern society can be seen most clearly in the way he revitalized and systematized the teaching of Advaita Vedānta. He presented non-dualistic wisdom not as vague mysticism but as a rigorous, text-based discipline grounded in the Upaniṣads, Bhagavad Gītā, Brahma Sūtras, and their traditional commentaries. Through long-term residential courses and structured curricula, he trained a generation of teachers who now conduct Vedānta classes and maintain Sanskrit scholarship in ashrams and study centers across India and abroad. This has ensured that the classical guru–śiṣya paramparā continues in a form intelligible to modern, educated seekers while remaining faithful to its roots.

His work also reshaped how Hindu thought is perceived in global intellectual and spiritual circles. By teaching extensively in North America and Europe, he helped many outside India encounter Hinduism as a sophisticated philosophical tradition rather than merely a set of rituals or exotic practices. His emphasis on clarity, reasoning, and scriptural inquiry influenced academic and popular approaches to comparative religion and non-dualistic philosophy. As a result, contemporary discussions of Advaita, self-knowledge, and non-duality often bear the imprint of the pedagogical framework he articulated.

Another dimension of his impact lies in the integration of Vedānta with ethical living and psychological maturity. He consistently linked non-dual understanding with dharma, highlighting values such as responsibility, ahiṃsā, honesty, and emotional growth. This has offered many householders and professionals a coherent framework for addressing modern existential and psychological questions without severing ties to tradition. In some circles, his approach has informed ways of thinking about mental well-being that draw upon Vedāntic insight rather than purely secular models.

Swami Dayananda Saraswati also contributed to interfaith and cultural discourse by articulating a confident yet respectful Hindu voice. He participated in dialogues with other religious traditions while insisting on the integrity of Vedic vision and the importance of genuine religious freedom. His reflections on pluralism, conversion, and secularism have influenced how many thinkers and community leaders understand the place of Hindu traditions within a diverse society. Alongside this, through service initiatives and educational projects guided by his vision, the link between spiritual knowledge and compassionate social engagement has been kept alive in a manner that avoids both proselytization and cultural self-doubt.