Dada Bhagvana Kon

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Dada Bhagavan Kon," based on the provided pages, in English:

Book Title: Dada Bhagavan Kon (Who is Dada Bhagavan?) Author: Dada Bhagwan (referred to as Dada Shri or A.M. Patel) Publisher: Dada Bhagwan Foundation

Overall Theme:

The book is a compilation of spiritual discourses and question-and-answer sessions by Dada Bhagwan, a contemporary Gnani Purush (Self-Realized Soul). The central theme revolves around understanding the true nature of "Dada Bhagavan," the self-realized state, and the "Akram Vigyan" (the instant path to self-realization) that Dada Bhagwan revealed. It delves into Dada Bhagwan's personal spiritual journey, his unique understanding of Jainism and other spiritual paths, and his teachings on living a liberated life in the world.

Key Concepts and Summaries from the Pages:

• Page 1: The Identity of "Dada Bhagavan"

  • The term "Dada Bhagavan" is used for the divine, the Lord of the Fourteen Worlds, not for the physical body of Dada Shri.
  • Dada Shri identifies himself as a "Gnani Purush."
  • "Dada Bhagavan" resides within everyone but is unmanifested. It is manifested in Dada Shri and has the power to bestow blessings.

• Page 2: Publication Details

  • Provides publisher information (Dada Bhagwan Foundation), editor, first edition details, pricing, and printing information.
  • Highlights the publisher's aim to spread spiritual knowledge.

• Page 3: List of Publications

  • Lists various books and teachings by Dada Bhagwan, covering a wide range of spiritual topics, including self-knowledge, karma, non-violence, relationships, and spiritual practices. It also indicates translations into different languages.

• Page 4: The Path to Self-Knowledge

  • Dada Bhagwan's mission was to impart self-knowledge through Satsang (spiritual discourse) across the globe.
  • He empowered Dr. Niruben Amin to impart this knowledge during his lifetime. Even after his passing, Dr. Niruben Amin continues this work.
  • The book itself serves as a guide, but true liberation requires receiving self-knowledge from a living Gnani.
  • The Genesis of "Akram Vigyan": The editorial recounts Dada Bhagwan's (then Ambabaal Muljibhai Patel) profound spiritual awakening at Surat station in June 1958. In an hour, he gained universal vision, answered all spiritual questions, and understood the nature of the world, the self, karma, bondage, and liberation. This was the manifestation of "Akram Vigyan" (the un-step-by-step path).
  • Akram vs. Kram: "Akram" is described as the "full stop" path for ego, while "Kram" is the "comma" path. "Akram" is an exception or diversion from the "Kram" path.

• Page 5: The Akram Path Explained

  • The "Kram" path involves gradual purification of mind, speech, and body, ultimately purifying the ego. This is considered impossible in the current era (Kaliyug).
  • "Akram Vigyan" allows for direct purification of the ego within an hour, leading to oneness with the self. Subsequent impurities are gradually cleared by following the Gnani's commands.
  • Despite worldly responsibilities, one can remain liberated by living the "Akram Vigyan."
  • Gnanis have a unique perspective on life's events, extracting profound wisdom from ordinary experiences.
  • Childhood incidents reveal Dada Bhagwan's inherent clarity and spiritual inclination.

• Page 6: Questions about the Knowledge

  • How was this knowledge attained? Dada Shri explains it's a "labdhhi" (supernatural attainment) that is "but natural." It's the result of previous efforts but manifested in an "Akram" way after "failing" in Kevalgnan (omniscience).
  • What is Akram Vigyan? It's the "full stop" to ego, leading to eternal happiness. It's contrasted with external, temporary knowledge.
  • The Power of Knowledge: Dada Shri explains that a Gnani, through the "fire of knowledge," can burn away sins, leading to freedom from worry.
  • Bhagavad Gita Theory: Dada Shri believes in all spiritual theories, stating that the "light of knowledge" is the same, but the "method" (Reet) differs. Akram is an "extraordinary method" for instant liberation.
  • Previous Sadhana: He engaged in various sadhanas not to attain something external, but to realize the unchangeable, eternal Self.

• Page 7: Deep Spiritual Inquiry

  • Pre-Knowledge Contemplation: Dada Shri contemplated everything in the world, processing vast amounts of information instantly.
  • Gurus: He states he had no living guru in this life, but gained immense knowledge from the writings of realized souls like Shrimad Rajchandra, Bhagwan Mahavir, Krishna, and others from various religions. He believes Bhagwan Mahavir had the complete 360 degrees of knowledge.
  • Spiritual Inclination from Birth: Even after birth, he explored various religious traditions. His sincerity was towards the Vitrag (detached beings). He lacked greed from birth.
  • Nature of Knowledge: He states that "Akram Vigyan" is the combined science of the 24 Tirthankaras, meant to extinguish what was not extinguished in their times.

• Page 8: The Nature of Akram Knowledge

  • How did Akram Knowledge Manifest? It happened spontaneously ("but natural") due to the accumulation of "scientific circumstantial evidence."
  • World's Welfare: The timing of this knowledge's manifestation is tied to the "ripening" of time for the world's welfare.
  • Not Seeking Godhood: Dada Shri expresses a lack of desire to become God, considering himself a "minimalist" and finding the idea burdensome. He clarifies that "God" is a title given by others.
  • "Dada Bhagavan" vs. "I": He reiterates that "Dada Bhagavan" is the entity of the 14 Worlds, which is within everyone but unmanifest. He bows to "Dada Bhagavan" as he is still working towards the full 360 degrees of knowledge.

• Page 9: The State Before and After Knowledge

  • Pre-Knowledge State: Characterized by continuous contemplation of the Self, a state described as "Gnanankshepakvant."
  • Worship and Devotion: Dada Shri worships the God residing within him.
  • "I" and "Dada Bhagavan" are One: He states that "I" and "Dada Bhagavan" are one when fully realized.
  • Degrees of Knowledge: He explains his current knowledge is at 356 degrees, while "Dada Bhagavan" is at 360 degrees. He is working to complete the remaining four degrees.
  • "Dada Bhagavan's" Nature: The nature of "Dada Bhagavan" is that of God, free from worldly attachments, ego, and intellectualism.

• Page 10: The Nature of Knowledge and the Self

  • Beyond Self-Knowledge, Below Omniscience: Dada Shri describes his current state as being above Self-Knowledge but not yet Omniscience. His statements are like a "tape record" that conveys understanding, and the real meaning emerges at the right time.
  • Understanding vs. Knowing: He distinguishes between "understanding" (Samaj) and "knowing" (Jaanvu). He has understood the universe and its workings but hasn't "known" it in the state of omniscience. Understanding the self and the universe is termed "Kevaldarshan" (Omnivision).
  • The Speaker: He clarifies that "I" (the embodied self) am an observer ("Kshetrajna"), and the "tape record" (the knowledge) is speaking.

• Page 11: The Manifestation and Function of Knowledge

  • The "Tape Record": The speaker is a mechanical record, not the true Self, which is one with "Dada Bhagavan" internally and sometimes with "Ambalal" externally for practical interactions.
  • Guru Purnima and Oneness: On auspicious days like Guru Purnima, he experiences oneness with his inner form ("Dada Bhagavan"), leading to the manifestation of fruits of worship.
  • The Eleventh Wonder: Akram Vigyan: Akram Vigyan is presented as the eleventh wonder, with Gnanis appearing as worldly businessmen.
  • Motivation for Public Service: The inspiration for spreading knowledge comes from the happiness he experienced and the desire for others to experience it.
  • Transcending Physical Limitations: He explains that at his age, his physical body is old, but his inner self is young, allowing him to speak for extended periods.

• Page 12: The Nature of a Gnani

  • Vitraag (Detached) Nature: A Gnani has a Vitrag nature. However, the current "Vitrag" he refers to is "Khatpatiya Vitrag" (one who actively works for the welfare of others), unlike the completely detached Vitrag.
  • Karma and Public Contact: Vitrag beings do not need to interact with the world for their own karma, but Dada Shri's interaction is motivated by a desire for the world's welfare.
  • Compassion and Purity of Vision: A Gnani's vision is pure and sees the soul in everyone. They are free from fault-finding.
  • Self-Sufficiency: A Gnani is free, unparalleled, and beyond competition. They cannot be bound by matter, time, place, or mental states.
  • Natural Adjustment: Becoming a Gnani is a natural adjustment, not something one can achieve on their own.

• Page 13: Childhood Incidents

  • Non-Violence: An incident where he allowed bedbugs to feed, stating it's his "hotel" where no one should be caused suffering. This aligns with his adherence to kandel (no root vegetables) and charvihaar (abstinence after sunset).
  • Teaching Non-Violence: His mother taught him non-violence by advising him to accept beatings rather than inflict them.
  • Fairness and Equality: He questioned why his sister-in-law received more milk than him, advocating for equal treatment. His mother's compassionate response is noted.
  • Understanding "Guru": He defined a guru as someone who provides "light." He rejected the idea of blind adherence.

• Page 14: Childhood and Spiritual Inclinations

  • Rejection of Worldly Salvation: At the age of thirteen, he rejected the idea of a salvation that involved subservience to a higher power ("God") who would command him. He desired freedom from any external authority.
  • Independence: He valued independence and refused to be subservient.
  • Disdain for Service: He disliked the idea of working for others ("service" or "job").
  • "Kshatriya" Nature: He identified with a Kshatriya (warrior) quality of supporting the weaker or defeated.
  • Boisterous Nature: He admits to being boisterous and mischievous in childhood, but his inner purity was intact, preventing negative ego from taking hold.

• Page 15: Childhood and the Rise of Knowledge

  • Impact of Non-Attachment: The absence of attachment and greed was a key factor in his spiritual progress.
  • Deliberate Failure in Matriculation: He deliberately failed his matriculation exam to avoid becoming a "Subedar" (an administrative official) and facing subservience, preferring a simple life like running a pan shop.
  • Success in Business: Despite failing matriculation, he excelled in business, surprising his brother.
  • Marriage and Attachment: He experienced a brief moment of detachment during his wedding, realizing the impermanence of relationships and the eventual suffering of separation.
  • Dealing with Loss: He demonstrated detachment even at the birth and death of his children, offering sweets to friends. He viewed the deceased child as a "guest."

• Page 16: The Start of Satsang and Spiritual Insights

  • Early Satsang: Satsang began around the age of 32-42.
  • Discouraging Favors: He instructed his friends not to do favors for him, to avoid creating any sense of obligation or influencing their spiritual path.
  • "Super Human" Quality: His friends recognized his unique nature as "super human."
  • Early Spiritual Inquiry: Even before gaining knowledge in 1958, he was deeply concerned about the spiritual implications of cinema and the state of India. He realized the need for propagation of the right path.

• Page 17: Living with Detachment

  • Non-Wastefulness: He practiced minimizing waste, even in small actions like not wasting electricity.
  • Endurance of Hardship: He endured physical discomfort (like a nail in his shoe) as a form of penance, later realizing it was misguided.
  • The Value of Waiting: He learned that waiting is a waste of time and found ways to utilize waiting periods productively, often through spiritual reading or internal contemplation.
  • Understanding "Counter Pulleys": He explains the concept of "counter pulleys" in relating to others, meaning adjusting one's approach to match the other person's level of understanding.

• Page 18: Interactions and Detachment

  • Interactions with Different Communities: He deliberated whether to associate with the Patel community (business-minded) or Kshatriya community (transactional). He chose the Patel community due to their accommodating nature.
  • The Wisdom of Merchants: He reflects on how a merchant's advice could have saved Ravana's kingdom, highlighting the practicality of merchant wisdom.
  • Charity and Non-Possessiveness: He practiced giving generously without expecting returns, and never asking for anything back.

• Page 19: Dealing with Ego and Humility

  • Ego and Humility: He notes how his ego and desire for respect manifested in childhood. His brother called him "Mani" (one with ego), and even at a young age, he had a strong sense of self-importance.
  • Managing Ego: He realized the burden of ego and its associated worries, even trying a ritualistic approach to shed it.
  • Spontaneous Release of Ego: The ego was naturally released at the time of self-realization.
  • The "Ambalal Patel" Aspect: He explains that his physical body (Ambalal Patel) was the vessel, but the true Self was operating, free from ego and attachment.

• Page 20: The Moment of Self-Realization

  • The Experience at Surat Station: Dada Bhagwan describes the profound experience at Surat station, where he saw the universe and understood its workings in an instant. His ego dissolved, and he became a different being, free from ego and attachment.
  • Seeing Beyond the Surface: After gaining knowledge, he could see the "packaging" of people and the uniform "stuff" within them.
  • "Ekant in Crowd": He elaborates on finding solitude amidst a crowd and experiencing "Shukla Dhyana" (pure meditation) amidst chaos.
  • Nature of the Knowledge: He clarifies that this knowledge is not imitable; it's natural. He only had a faint hope of minor spiritual gain, not the immense liberation he received.

• Page 21: The Significance of the Awakening

  • The Exact Date: He mentions the year was 1958 but isn't precise about the date, emphasizing that the spiritual breakthrough was the important event.
  • The Role of Mistakes: He attributes the emergence of knowledge to the "hits and misses" (Thokaro) in his spiritual journey, leading to inherent wisdom.
  • Proactive Self-Management: He learned not to wait for things and to be proactive in managing time and interactions.

• Page 22: The Akram Path in Action

  • "Counter Pulleys" in Relationships: He explains the need for "counter pulleys" to manage interactions based on others' understanding levels, preventing unnecessary anger or conflict.
  • Managing Ego in Interactions: He learned to communicate in a way that was understandable, rather than getting angry when people didn't grasp his point.

• Page 23: Balancing Worldly and Spiritual Life

  • Associating with Merchants: He chose to associate with merchants, appreciating their practical approach to life.
  • Avoiding Attachment to Property: He advised against unnecessary attachment to possessions.
  • Detachment from Business Worries: He operated his business with a sense of detachment, not getting overly anxious about losses.

• Page 24: Wisdom in Business and Life

  • The Nature of Loss: He discusses how anticipating a "loss" in business can lead to peace, as the actual outcome is often better than expected.
  • Avoiding Conflict: He emphasized avoiding disagreements in business partnerships to maintain harmony.
  • Learning from Experience: He learned from his experiences and interactions, applying the wisdom gained in his spiritual path.

• Page 25: Testing and Living Principles

  • Self-Testing: He tested himself by offering rewards for physical harm, which nobody accepted, indicating a natural aversion to inflicting pain.
  • Conservation of Resources: He advocated for prudent use of resources, likening it to managing the wear and tear of items.
  • Avoiding Waste: He emphasized avoiding waste of water, seeing it as harming living beings.
  • Maintaining Purity of Vision: He ensured his vision remained pure, even in material settings like shops.

• Page 26: The Nature of the Awakened State

  • Freedom from Worry: He lived without tension, attributing it to the detachment of his spiritual self.
  • Maintaining Freshness: Despite his age, his inner self remained young and vibrant.
  • Psychological Detachment: He claimed to be free from psychological influences that affect the mind.
  • Inner Purity: He explained that his "inner self" was always present, even when his physical body appeared to be resting.

• Page 27: The Goal of Spiritual Practice

  • Transmitting Happiness: His goal is for everyone to experience the happiness he has attained.
  • "Dada's" Role as a Tool: He presented himself as a "tool" or "blank check" to facilitate others' spiritual progress, advising against misusing this opportunity.
  • Surrendering the Self: He explained that his physical self ("Ambalal Patel") had surrendered to the divine, who then managed everything.

• Page 28: The Path to Becoming God

  • Akram Science: He stated that the "Akram Vigyan" guarantees becoming God, as the creator and the seeker are aligned.
  • Original Self: Everyone will eventually realize their original nature as God.

• Page 29: Partnership and Financial Dealing

  • Financial Discipline: He emphasized avoiding unnecessary wealth and keeping business profits separate from personal expenses.
  • Avoiding Debt and Recovery: He structured his dealings to avoid the need for debt collection, which he considered problematic.
  • Detachment from Money: He described instances where he let go of money without complaint, even when the other party denied the loan, to avoid karmic entanglements.

• Page 30: Wisdom in Giving and Receiving

  • Forgiveness and Non-Reciprocity: He advised giving freely and not expecting returns, likening it to throwing something into the ocean.
  • The Nature of Transactions: He acknowledged that all worldly transactions involve complexities and suffering, but one should aim for peace.
  • Being "Systematically" Managed: He believed everything operates under a divine "system."

• Page 31: Understanding "Deception" and "Intellect"

  • Intelligent Deception: He advocated for being "deceived knowingly" (Samjine Chhetravu), which sharpens one's intellect.
  • Business Transparency: He was open about business losses, believing in transparency.

• Page 32: Relationships and Detachment

  • Marital Harmony: He maintained harmony with his wife for 45 years, managing disagreements with care and foresight.
  • Understanding Nature: He understood his wife's nature and adjusted accordingly.
  • Avoiding Possessions: He gave away the key to his cupboard to avoid potential conflict over giving to guests.

• Page 33: Detachment in Marriage

  • Avoiding Conflict: He actively avoided disagreements, even if it meant making concessions.
  • The Nature of "Mine" and "Yours": He observed how the concepts of "mine" and "yours" can lead to conflict.
  • Living as a Guest: He described living with his wife as a "guest" to avoid attachment and potential conflict.

• Page 34: Living with Wife and Renunciation

  • Maintaining Politeness: He maintained a respectful demeanor with his wife.
  • Detachment after Celibacy: After achieving celibacy at age 35, his interactions with his wife became free from worldly desires and their associated friction.
  • Uninterrupted Awareness: He maintained constant awareness of the Self, even during conversations and activities.

• Page 35: The Gnani's State of Being

  • Process of Analysis: He described his spiritual insights as the result of a deep analysis of experiences across many lifetimes.
  • Awakening and Manifestation: Knowledge is inherent; it manifests when "coverings" are removed.
  • Experiencing All Phases: He has gone through all stages of spiritual development and completed them.
  • Joy in Detachment: He finds joy in detachment and remains unaffected by worldly events.

• Page 36: Continuous Spiritual Practice

  • Unwavering Focus: He maintained constant spiritual focus without wasting even a moment.
  • Inner Rituals: He performed internal spiritual practices even when engaged in outward activities.
  • Experiencing Flavors: He experiences the true taste of things, unlike ordinary people who merely feel or enjoy them.

• Page 37: Living with Complete Awareness

  • Maintaining Awareness: He remained aware of his physical state and the world around him without attachment.
  • Detachment from External Comforts: He avoided unnecessary physical comforts like excessive clothing.
  • Compassion and Understanding: He approached life with understanding and compassion, managing his interactions to foster peace and well-being.

This summary aims to capture the essence of Dada Bhagwan's teachings as presented in the provided text, highlighting his spiritual journey, the Akram path, and his unique perspective on life and liberation.