AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Of

GNANI PURUSH DADASHRI

&

THE LIFE OF

AMBALAL M. PATEL

 

 

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Gnani Purush Dadashri

and

His Life

 

November 7, 1908 --- January 2, 1988

 

 

 

[1] How and When Did This Supreme Knowledge Manifest?

 

How Akram Science Manifested Within Me

 

Questioner: The Gnan that manifested within you, how did you acquire it?

 

Dadashri: I did not acquire it, it happened naturally. It arose spontaneously.

 

Questioner: Did it occur naturally?

 

Dadashri: Yes, this is but natural.

 

Questioner: The phenomenon that occurred to you at Surat railway station does not occur to everyone.  Did it occur because of your past spiritual endeavors in the kramic path? (Kramic path to self-realization is an arduous path requiring severe discipline and austerities).

 

Dadashri: Yes, everything I did was only in the Kramic path but the fruit it bore was that of Akram (step-less path of Self-Realization – requiring no rituals or austerities). However I failed at the level of Keval Gnan (Absolute Omniscience) and that is why this science of Akram arose within me.

 

The Difference between a Comma And A full Stop

 

 

Questioner:  First of all, I want to know about Akram Vignan?

 

Dadashri:  The ‘full stop’ of the ego, is Akram Vignan. The ‘comma’ of the ego is the Kramik Gnan path. Akram Vignan is the internal science, which takes you to your eternal bliss. This is also therefore known as the Science of the Self. The other is the science of the external, the non-Self. It is gives transient and temporary happiness. The external science perishes ultimately, whereas the internal science is eternal and leads to the Eternal.

 

Karmas Destroyed In the Fire Of Gnan

 

Questioner: What is this process, which makes a person absolutely worry free within an hour? Is it some kind of a miracle? Is it some kind of a ritual?

 

Dadashri: Lord Krishna has said that a Gnani Purush can destroy all one’s bad deeds in the fire of knowledge. That is what I do and that makes one worry free.

 

There is No Difference in the Light of Knowledge

 

Questioner: Do you believe in the theory of the Bhagwad Gita?

 

Dadashri: I believe in all the theories. Why would I not? Is there not only one main spiritual theory? There cannot be any difference in this theory or that theory. There is no difference in the light of the Self. The difference is only in the method by which the Self is realized. The light of the Knowledge (Gnan), whether it is of this path or another, is the same. This method is of mine is extraordinary and new. Here a person becomes Self-realized and worry free within an hour.

 

All Efforts To Know The Self Only

 

Questioner: Did you perform rituals of penance, and sessions of meditation in the past?

 

Dadashri: I did all kinds of rituals but I did not do them to acquire any material things, because I did not need anything.  I had no desire for worldly things. There was no need for such rituals. My spiritiual efforts were only for the eternal (the Soul), not for anything temporary.  I never performed any other sadhanas.

 

Deep Introspection Before Gnan

 

Questioner: You must have done a lot of instrospection and deep thinking before your enlightenment.

 

Dadashri: There is nothing in this world that I have not thought about. That is why this Gnan manifested. By the time you speak two words, a whole poem is analysed by me. With five thousand revolutions of thought processes per minute going on within me, I can extract the essence of any scripture, within two minutes. The scriptures are not complete. Only a Gnani has the complete knowledge. The scriptures only show the direction.

 

Did Not Meet Or Make Any Guru in This Life

 

Questioner: Who is your Guru?

 

Dadashri: A guru is only a Guru if you meet him directly, face to face in this life. I did not meet any such a person in this life. I met all kinds of saints, but none worthy of making a guru. I had a lot of spiritual discussions with them and had served them but none were worthy of becoming my guru. I did read about all the human beings who became Gnanis, but did not meet them.

 

Shrimad Rajchandra cannot be considered a Guru for me because  I did not meet Him personally. I had taken support of his writings along with some others, but his writings were the greatest support for me.

 

I used to read books of Shrimad Rajchandra, Lord Mahavir, the Gita message of Lord Krishna, volumes of Vedantas, works of Lord Swaminarayan and also of the Moslem religion.  I discovered what they all are having within, trying to say, and covey. They are all are correct, but from their own perspective. Within their own degrees of spiritual vision, they are all correct.  The total perspective is of three hundred and sixty degrees. Some are at fifty, some at hundred, some at a hundred and fifty. They are all correct. But no one has three hundred and sixty degree vision. Lord Mahavir had three hundred and sixty degree vision.

 

Questioner: From where did you acquire all this?

 

Dadashri: It is a study of many many previous lives.

 

Questioner: What was it like initially, after birth for you? Where did it start from, after  your birth?

 

Dadashri: After birth, I observed the religions of the Vaishnav, of Swaminarayan, of Shiv and many others. Then I studied Shrimad Rajchandra. Then I read all Lord Mahavir’s books. I read extensively. This is all I did everyday while conducting my worldly business of a building and construction works.

 

Sincerity Towards The Vitarags, The Fully Enlightened Ones

 

Questioner:  What else did you do?

 

Dadashri: Nothing, except I constantly remained sincere towards the vitarag Lords and towards Lord Krishna. I had no interest in the worldly life. I have never been greedy about anything. From my very birth, mature was without greed.  As children when we went out, we used to visit big gardens; there were all kinds of fruit trees: pomegranate, apples, oranges etc.  The other children would bring back a lot of fruits but not me.  I was never inclined to collect anything.  But I had so much pride that  I felt that there was no one like me in this world and only I know how much that pride hurt me.

 

Questioner: What was it like for you, before this Gnan?

 

Dadashri: I had a feeling that I would attain the right vision of the Self. I figured out what the true essence was from all the books I had read. I did understand it all and was convinced that the tirthankaras, the vitaragas are real and that their doctrine is absolutely correct. This was my spiritual search from endless past lives. My worldly religious conduct was like that of both a Vaishnav and a Jain. In some situations it was Vaishnav like, while in others it was Jain like. I always drank boiled water, even at work. Even you as a Jain would not have done that. But that is not the reason why this Gnan manifested. The Gnan manifested as a result of many other evidences coming together. Otherwise this phenomenon is not possible; the Akram science would not have expressed. This Akram science is the collective science of all the past twenty-four tirthankaras. This science is now the final opportunity for those who were not able to attain the Self when they were in the presence of the twenty-four tirthankaras.

 

The One with an Honest Heart Found The Real Thing

 

Questioner: How did Akram Gnan manifest within you? Did it occur naturally by itself or did you have to meditate for it?

 

Dadashri:  It occurred on its own; it was ‘but natural’.  I did not do any such meditation. How is it possible for me to acquire something so phenomenal? I did have some inkling that I will be blessed with some light of the Self. My heart was pure; I had done everything with a pure heart and that is why I felt that I would acquire something worthy, like Self-realization. I felt I would acquire some light of Knowledge but instead what manifested was total radiance of the absolute knowledge.

 

The Worldly Life Is Not An Impediment To Liberation

 

Questioner: Why did you not become a renunciate?

 

Dadashri: There was no circumstance for renunciation. It is not that I disliked renunciation, but I did not see any circumstance for it and besides, I believed that the worldly life does not obstruct liberation. I believed very strongly in that. It is not the worldly life that obstructs liberation, it is the ignorance of the Self that does. Yes, Lord Mahavir did talk about the path of renunciation but He spoke about it in the general. He did not emphasize it. And it is with emphasis and assurance that I am saying that the worldly life does not obstruct liberation.

 

Akram Vignan Is The Result Of Many Lives Of Spiritual Search

 

Questioner: Akram Gnan is the bottom line of how many previous lives spiritul endeavor?

 

Dadashri: It is the balance and extract of many previous lives. As a result of them all this Akram Gnan has  manifested naturally.

 

Questioner: This occurred ‘but naturally’ to you, but how?

 

Dadashri: I have to say ‘but natural’ for people to understand but it occurred as a result of many scientific circumstantial evidences coming together.

 

Questioner: Which evidences?

 

Dadashri: There were all kinds of evidences; the time must have been right for the salvation of the world. Once that happened, an instrument was then necessary to present it to the world.

 

The State Before Gnan: The Dawn Before Sunrise

 

Gnanakshepakvant is a state wherein a person has continuous thoughts related to the Soul and it never breaks.  Such was the continuity of thoughts I had - it would continue for days and days. I checked about this state in the scriptures and then I understood that what I was experiencing was the state of gnanakshepakavant.  

 

Who do you worship?

 

Questioner: People come to do your darshan Dada, but who do you worship? Which God does Dada worship?

 

Dadashri: I worship the Lord, Dada Bhagwan that has manifested within me.

 

‘I’ and ‘Dada Bhagwan’ Are Not the Same

 

Questioner: Why do you allow yourself to addressed as Bhagwan (God)?

Dadashri: I, myself, am not God. I too bow to the Lord, to Dada Bhagwan within. I am at the level of three hundred and fifty six degrees of spiritual achievement, whereas Dada Bhagwan is at three hundred and sixty degrees, absolute. I lack the four degrees and therefore I bow down to Dada Bhagwan.

 

 

Questioner:  Why do you do that?

 

Dadashri: It is because I want to attain the remaining four degrees. I will have to complete them, will I not? I failed by four degrees. Do I have a choice, but to pass them?

 

Questioner: Do you have a desire to become Bhagwan?

 

Dadashri:  I find it burdensome to become Bhagwan. I am a laghutam purush, the most humble of the humble. There is no one in this world humbler than myself.  Therefore I feel it burdensome to be  called a Bhagwan. On the contrary I feel awkward.

 

Questioner: If you do not want to become God, then why do you want to make the effort  to complete the four degrees?

 

Dadashri: It is because I want to attain final moksha. What do I want by becoming a God? God is anyone who possesses godlike attributes.  Such people become God.  God is an adjective.  Whoever possesses such qualities, people will refer to him as God.

 

The Lord of The Fourteen Worlds Has Manifest Here

 

 

Questioner: Who is the word ‘Dada Bhagwan’ used for?

 

Dadashri: It is used for Dada Bhagwan, not for me. I am a Gnani Purush .

 

Questioner: Which Bhagwan?

 

Dadashri: Dada Bhagwan, the One who is the Lord of the fourteen worlds. He is within you too, but is not yet manifest and here, within me, he is fully manifest and is ready to give rewards.  Your work can be accomplished even if you were to take His name even once.  But you have to call Him with an understanding and then salvation is yours.  His name will even remove any worldly obstacle you may have.  But you must not have such worldly aim because there will be no end to it if you become greedy. For worldly difficulties use His name sparingly. Do you understand who Dada Bhagwan is?

 

What is The Real Nature of Dada Bhagwan?

 

Questioner: What is the real nature of Dada Bhagwan?

 

Dadashri: He is one who has no attachment, no ego, and no intellect. He is Dada Bhagwan.

 

The Power Of The Words Of The Gnani Purush

 

The Gnani Purush fell short by four degrees in attaining Keval Gnan, absolute knowledge, but he has gone above and beyond attaining the knowledge of the Soul.  He has arisen above the knowledge of the Self but has not reached the final destination of full enlightenment. The world cannot know about anything that is seen and known of this in-between stage of the Gnani.  People have no knowledge of a single sentence the Gnani utters; they have no clue about it.  You understand whatever I say through your intellect – it is not as if what I say is incomprehensible.  The intellect is a light; it is through the power of this light that you are able to comprehend what is being said; it is this light that gives credence to what is being said. This however, will not be remembered when needed. Now because it is the Gnani Purush who is uttering the words and there is power in the spoken words of a Gnani Purush, these words will manifest at the right time. The power of the spoken word is defined by its presence when the need arises in situations of conflict and difficulty.  

 

 

Absolute Understanding: Absolute Knowledge

 

I am person who failed to acquire Absolute Knowledge.

 

Questioner: What are the four degrees that you speak of?

 

Dadashri: Whatever you see; the attachment to worldly things in my conduct that you see.  It is irrelevant that I am really unattached from within. These degrees are automatically deducted when others see imperfection in me.   I have seen the universe as it seen, understood, but not known and experienced it as is needed in absolute enlightenment.

 

Questioner: How can one tell the difference between understanding and experience?   

 

Dadashri: It has come into my vision and understanding but not yet in my knowledge and experience. It would have been total enlightenment had it come into my experience and  knowledge.  But because it is only in my understanding, it is called  absolute understanding or darshan.  

 

Questioner: I do not understand what you mean when you say that you came to understand it but you do not know and experience it. 

 

Dadashri: What is this world? How did it come about? How did the mind arise? Who is the ‘father’ and ‘mother’ of the mind? What is intellect? What is ego? What is chit? Why are people born? Who runs this world? Does God or someone else run this world? Who are you? Who am I?, all this has come into my exact understanding. And furthermore with my divine inner vision I see the Soul everywhere, in every creature. All this has come in my understanding and that is why it is called keval darshan, absolute understanding.

 

It is The Taped Record That Speaks

 

Dadashri: Who is doing this talking? Who is talking to you?

 

Questioner: I do not know that.

 

Dadashri: I, the Self am not talking to you. I am the Self. I am just observing you. I remain in my place as an observer and this speech, is a ‘tape record’ (speech recorded in the past life).  It is a mechanical record, which can be recorded again.

 

The person you see in front of you is the Patel of Bhadaran and the speech that is flowing is a tape record. It is the original tape record. I live in unity with Dada Bhagwan that has manifest within me.   Sometimes I become one with Ambalal Patel. I have to maintain relations with both the sides.  I have to go with Ambalal in my worldly interactions, otherwise I remain one with Dada Bhagwan.  

 

On The Day of Gurupunan: Full Darshan Of The Gnani Purush

 

There are three very auspicious days: The Indian New Year Day, Janmajayanti, birthday of the Gnani, and Gurupurnima. On these days there are no external interactions with anyone and therefore I, the Gnani Purush become one with Dada Bhagwan within and consequently am in an absolute state.  You can reap tremendous benefit from darshan of this state.  That is why it is very important to do Dada’s darshan on these days.

 

 The Eleventh Wonder : Akram Vignan

 

Up to the time of Lord Mahavir, there were ten wonders in this world and this is the eleventh wonder. The Gnani Purush remains a vitarag (completely detached) even though he is conducting business in the world. Is it indeed a wonder that you are able to do such a darshan, see this.  Just look at my topi and my coat! Should a Gnani even have a need for these? Why does he have an attachment to worldly things?  The One who has absoltely no desire for any material things, is trapped in worldly things. He is in the final stages of becoming absolutely enlightened. It must be people’s misfortune that the Gnani is in mundane worldly attire and not in the clothes of a sadhu. Otherwise millions of people would have been blessed if his attire were that of the renunciate. Alas! People’s merit karma falls short, as they fail to recognize me as a Gnani Purush.

 

Let This Bliss Be Known To The World

 

Questioner: What inspired you to spread this new religion?

 

Dadashri: The inspiration to spread religion comes naturally.  I felt the desire to make others experience the same bliss that I experience.  This is the inspiration.  

 

People ask me how I will be able to fulfill the commitment that I have taken for the salvation of the world now that I am getting old when I take so long to finish even one-cup tea in the morning.  I do not have to do the work on a gross or a physical level.  It is all occurring at a subtle level. The external events are merely a drama.  I have to support them.

 

Gnani’s Compassion Is A Thing To Behold

 

Questioner: As a vitarag, what is your relation with worldly interaction?

 

Dadashri: Vitarag bhaav, an inner intent without any attachment. The inner intent of salvation of the entire world is the vitarag bhhav. There is no other relation. The one you are questioning now is not vitarag at the moment. I am a meddlesome vitarag; meddlesome as far as wanting others to be free. The real vitarags do not get involved with anything. They merely give darshan to people.  They do not have any dealings with people, none whatsoever. 

 

Questioner: But when the vitarags associate with people, is it to discharge and be done with their own karma?

 

Dadashri: They do so to clear their own karmic accounts from past life, not for others. They have no other inner intentions. My only intention is that people attain liberation, the way I have. The real vitarags are not like this. They have no inner intents or wishes. They are absolutely unattached. Where as, I do have this one, intent.  That is why I get up early in the morning and start this school, satsang which lasts till eleven thirty at night. Why do people suffer so much misery needlessly?  There is no misery and yet they are suffering so much. All their suffering will disappear when they get rid of their misunderstanding.

How will the misunderstanding go? It will not happen by telling them anything. It will only go when they actually see me, and my state. The person that does this is considered the embodied manifest, the Lord in human form.  They are considered embodiment of faith; the one in whom people can place their total faith. 

 

Questioner: How do the thoughts, speech and acts of an aptapurush, the fully awakened one come forth?

 

Dadashri: His speech is such that it conquers and wins the mind, the mind stops.  His worldly interaction is extraordinary and spell binding and the speech is without a trace of ego.  His conduct is egoless. Such a conduct is almost never to be found.

 

Whom Can You Consider A Gnani?

 

Questioner: How do you define a Gnani?

 

Dadashri: A Gnani is where there is constant light.   He is the personification of knowledge.  He knows everything. He is the one who has nothing more left to know. Gnani means complete light; complete light means there is no trace of any darkness.

 

A Gnani is to be found once in a while; there is never more than one Gnani in the world at a time.  If there were, it would create competition between them.  To become a Gnani is a natural occurance. It happens. No one can become a Gnani on his or her own accord.

 

Gnani Purush is the one who is absolutely liberated.  He is absolutely free and unique. No one can come even close to a Gnani.  Nor can anyone compete against the Gnani because he who competes is not a Gnani.

 

Free From All Bondage Of The Universe

 

The vitarags have said that one will be freed eternally if one worships the lotus feet of a Gnani; the One who is absolutely unrestricted by dravya, kshetra, kaad and bhaav. Dravya is matter. Kshetra is location. Kaad is time. Bhaav is inner intent.  Such beings can never be held back. These are the only four things in this world and it is because of these four that the world exists. However, none of the four can hold down or bind a Gnani Purush. Lord Mahavira has asked us to worship the feet of such a person.

 

No Attachment or Abhorrence, No Renunciation Or Acquisition.

 

A Gnani is he one who has no need to renunciate or acquire. He is natural amidst these states, and is unaffected by them.  He does not have likes or dislikes. He has extraordinary quality of not having any attachments or abhorrence.

 

The Flawless Vision

 

I do not see anyone in this world as being at fault. Even if you were to pick my pocket, I will not see you as a theif.  I have compassion towards everyone including the thief and the murderer.  I am beyond all feelings of duality, kindness or pity.  Humans feel pity. A Gnani Purush does not have any pity. Gnanis are beyond all duality. I have the elemental scientific vision, the flawless vision, and therefore I do not see any faults anywhere. My vision is not guided by any circumstances. I directly see only the Soul in every being.

 

[2] Childhood Events

 

Practice of Non-violence instilled by my Mother

 

My mother was thirty-six years older than me.  One day I asked her if the bed bugs in the home bit her also.  She replied, ‘ my dear, yes they do. These poor bugs don’t come with containers to carry away extra food with them.  They eat their share and go away’.  I said to myself, ‘Blessed is this mother and blessed also is the son born to such a mother’. 

 

I used to let even the bed bugs bite me. I would tell the bug, ‘ now that you are here, eat a full meal. Do not leave hungry’. This body of mine is a hotel. It is such that all must feel comfortable and none be hurt through it.  This was the business of my hotel.  Thus I have even fed bed bugs. Would anyone fine me if I did not?  No!  My sole intent was to attain the Self.  I constantly observed the rules of not eating after dark, not eating root crops and dranking boiled water.  I had left no stone unturned in my spiritual efforts and therefore Akram Vignan came forth, a science that will purify the whole world. 

 

My Mother Taught me Never to Hit Back

 

My mother was very noble and she gave me the highest lessons of life. One day I was very young I came home after a fight with a boy in which I bit him to the extent that he was bleeding.  When my mother found out she took me aside and told me, ‘my dear that little boy is bleeding.  Suppose some were to hurt you and you were to bleed, would I not have to nurse you and take care of your bleeding?  Would his mother not be nursing his wounds now?  And just imagine how much that poor boy must be crying from the pain.  So from now on come with beating but do not ever come home after beating anyone.  I will nurse you and take care of you’. Such was her nobility. Now tell me, would such a mother not make a Mahavir out of a son? Such were the noble lessons, she had instilled in me.

 

Who is The Loser in All This?

 

Sometimes I used to sulk when I was young. Once when I had sulked. It was not a very prolonged sulking incident. I analysed it, and I realized that ultimately I was the loser. From there on I had decided no matter what others did to me, I would not sulk. That day because of my sulking, I lost my share of the morning milk. I reflected on the events of that day and came to the final conclusion that I had gained nothing. 

 

Once I told my mother that she was treating my sister-in-law Diwalibhabhi, and me the same by giving her the same amount of milk as gave me and that she should give her less. I told her was satisfied with the amount she gave me and that I was not asking her for more but I wanted her to reduce the amount she gave to Diwalibhabhi. My mother told me, ‘you have your mother here, whereas she does not have hers. So I have to give her the same amount otherwise she will feel bad.’ I was still not satisfied but mother kept explaining things to me trying to make me understand. She kept patching up situations. One day I threw a tantrum but in the end I lost out.  I then told myself I should not be awkward again.  

 

Clear Understanding At A Very Tender Age

 

When I was twelve my kanthi snapped.(a necklace of tiny wooden beads usually given to a disciple by his guru in exchange for loyalty to the guru and his teachings). My mother suggested that we should go and tie another kanthi.  I refused and told her, ‘Although our forefathers may have been following this age-old tradition, I do not believe in it. Just because they jumped in a well, should we all blindly do the same? In those days the well may have been full of water, but today I do not see any water. All I see is large stones and snakes at the bottom. I refuse to jump in it.’ First we should check to see if there is any water in it before you jump in. What is the point of jumping in a well and breaking your head?

 

I believed that a guru should be someone who would show me the light; he should show me the way.  He should be able to guide me spiritually. I did not see any point in undergoing religious rituals of having cold water sprinkled or poured over my head and having someone tie a kanthi around my neck. But I also felt that if a person were worthy of being a true guru, then I would not only let him pour cold water over me but even if he were to severe my arm, I would let him because I have had arms and limbs for infinite births.  In which birth did I not have these?  And if otherwise someone came and cut off my arm, would I have a choice in the matter?  So why would I not let a guru cut it?  If some dacoit were to come and along and cut it, do people have a choice?  And what if the guru were to cut my throat?  No Guru would do such a thing.  But if he did, is there any reason why you should not let him?

 

My mother told me, ‘Then everyone will call you ‘nugaro’. At the time I did not understand what that meant. I thought it was a term people used to tease others. It wasn’t until much later that I realized it meant someone without a guru.   So I said to her, ‘ Never mind if they call me nugaro. They will only make fun of me, that is all and no more’. 

 

No Need For Such A Moksha

 

When I was thirteen, after school I used to visit a couple of ascetics from North India at a nearby ashram in Bhadaran. I would massage their feet because they were very pure.   One day one of them said to me, ‘Son, God will take you to moksha.’ I told him that I would appreciate it if he did not say such things because I found that unacceptable. He felt that I did not understand since I was only a child. He told me that gradually I would understand it.  Later on my thought processes were these: if God were to take me to moksha, he would become my superior and would dictate over me. He would offer me a place to sit but later when his acquaintance comes, he would ask me to vacate that seat. If that is what moksha is, then he can keep his moksha.

 

Instead of this of dependency it is better to enjoy some bhajias with your wife. That kind of dependency is better. Such a ‘moksha’ is better than the other. I do not want moksha where there is a superior above me who dictates my moves.

 

So even at age of thirteen I had such thoughts about independence. I did not want any kind of moksha where there was a superior over me. If such a moksha did not exist, even then one thing was for sure. I did not want either a superior above me or any subordinate under me. For sure I did not want any subordinates.

 

I did not want moksha where I am told where or where not to sit. I wanted moksha where there was no superior above me, and no inferior below me.  I wanted a path of liberation void of any attachments. At the time I was not aware that the path of the vitarag Lords was indeed there.  All I knew was that I did not want any superior.  I did not want a God that dictates.  Such a God can go home, what use would I have for such God?  If he is a God, then I am also God.  It does not matter if he tries to keep me under control for a while but I don’t want it and for what purpose? For the gratification of these five senses?  What is the use of such gratification? Animals have temptations and so do we, so what is the difference between the animals and us?

 

Independent By Nature From The Very Beginning

 

From the very beginning I knew that I would not work for anyone. I always felt that it was better to die than to work for someone, because that meant having a boss who could scold me. This was my biggest shortcoming, but this very shortcoming also saved me in many ways. The biggest disinclination I had was that I would not work for anyone.  A friend asked me one day what I would do if my elder brother threw me out of the house. I told him that I would open up a paan shop (selling beetle nut leaf with condiments), but I would not work for anyone.   I would keep the shop open till ten o’clock at night, go home late for dinner and go to bed at eleven.  I might earn three rupees a day, or even just two, but I would make do. I did not want any kind of dependency, whatsoever.

 

Always Protected Subordinates

 

Do you know what I practiced all my life? I made it my principle to confront superiors and protect the subordinates. I rebelled, but against people in positions of power.  What do people generally do? They submit to their superiors and intimidate their subordinates. Whereas I would rebel against my superiors and consequently did not make any material gains. That did not bother me. But I had taken great care of the subordinates. Protecting the subordinates is the greatest quality.

 

Questioner: That is because you are a Kshatriya.

 

Dadashri: Yes, because I am a Kshatriya. That is a Kshatriya quality. If I see two people fighting, I will side with the underdog. That is my kshatriya quality.

 

In My Youth I was Rebellious: The World Melted My Ego

 

I can see it all. If I look in that direction, I can see it all and the words come forth.  I can see whatever I want to and I say it like it is.  Otherwise how am I to remember everything? I can see everything all the way to my childhood days. I can see all the phases of that time; how I used to go late into the classroom, after the bell rang. The teacher used to get irritated, and yet he could not say anything. 

 

Questioner: Why did you enter the classroom after the bell?

 

Dadashri: My arrogance. Such was the false pride I had in my mind. It is because of such arrogance and rebellion that I suffered.  A normal person would be seated well before the bell rings. 

 

Questioner: But to be arrogant is to be on the wrong path, is it not?

 

Dadashri:  It is definitely a wrong path. The teacher would already be in the classroom but I would go to the class after the bell. It was acceptable for the teacher to be late but by school laws, the students were supposed to be there before the bell. But I was obstinate and arrogant: ‘Who does the teacher think he is?’ This is what I used to think! Just look at the arrogance:  ‘The fool! Do you go to school to study or for confrontation?

 

Questioner: But did the teacher not say anything to you?

 

Dadashri: He did, but with reservation about his own safety.  He used to be afraid of being beaten up outside of school. 

 

Questioner:     Dada, were you that rebellious?

 

Dadashri: Yes, I was rebellious and mischievous. The whole stock (brought forth from past life) was of obstinacy and rebellion.

 

 

Questioner: And in the midst of all that, this Gnan manifest within you. That is a wonder.

 

Dadashri: Gnan happened. I did not have attachment (mamta) whatsoever. The problem was only of the ego. The Gnan happened   because of no attachment. I did not have a trace of attachment or greed, but if someone were to stir my ego, then I would not spare him.  Many people would talk behind my back calling me all kinds of names related to a heavy ego. They used so many adjectives to describe me.  I was aware of everything going on behind my back, but I had no attachment and that was my foremost attribute, and very commendable at that!  The ego without attachment is such that it projected aura and power.  On the other hand it does not matter how calm and friendly a person maybe, if he has attachment, then he is sunk deep in the worldly life.  The joy I experienced was because I do not have any attachment. It is attachment that is the cause of the worldly life, not the ego.

 

Now I know that I have become ego less. Now, no one needs to do anything to straighten me up.

 

Questioner:  How did you straighten out, Dada?

 

Dadashri: People straightened me up by hitting me with all manners of insults, negativities. Some even trapped me in situations from which I had no recourse but to soften up.  I learnt a lot from these interactions.

 

Questioner: Did everything start clearing up for you from your past lives?