Mai Kaun Hun

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mai Kaun Hun" (Who Am I?) by Dada Bhagwan, based on the provided pages:

The book "Mai Kaun Hun" is a compilation of the teachings of Dada Bhagwan, revealed through Dr. Niruben Amin, and published by Mahavideh Foundation. The central theme of the book revolves around the ultimate goal of life and the path to self-realization, emphasizing Dada Bhagwan's unique "Akram Marg" (path of non-sequential liberation).

The Purpose of Life and the Core Question:

• The book begins by stating that if the worldly life does not cause any disturbance, then there is no need to understand spirituality. However, if there is disturbance, then understanding spirituality is essential.
• The core of spirituality lies in knowing one's "true nature" – "Who am I?" Answering this question, Dada Bhagwan asserts, will solve all life's puzzles.

The Revelation of Dada Bhagwan and the Akram Marg:

• Dada Bhagwan manifested in the physical form of Shri Ambalal Mulji Patel in Surat in June 1958. Within an hour, he attained "world vision," realizing the complete secrets of spiritual questions like "Who am I?", "Who is God?", "Who runs the world?", "What is karma?", and "What is liberation?".
• This profound knowledge was imparted through a direct experiential process called "Akram Marg", meaning a shortcut or an "elevator" path, as opposed to the "kramik" (sequential) path of climbing the spiritual ladder step by step.
• Dada Bhagwan clarified that the physical form known as "A.M. Patel" or "Dadaji" was not "Dada Bhagwan." The "Dada Bhagwan" is the pure Soul, the Lord of the fourteen realms, residing within everyone, but fully manifested in A.M. Patel. Dada Bhagwan himself would bow to this inner divinity.
• A.M. Patel lived by the principle of "religion in business, not business in religion," never accepting money from anyone. He even used his business earnings to fund devotees' pilgrimgases.

The Continuity of the Path and Dr. Niruben Amin:

• Dada Bhagwan, during his lifetime, bestowed self-knowledge upon Dr. Niruben Amin.
• After Dada Bhagwan's physical passing, Dr. Niruben Amin continues to travel worldwide, conducting Satsangs and facilitating self-knowledge through the "Akram Marg," enabling thousands to experience self-realization while living worldly responsibilities.

The Essence of the Teachings:

The book delves into several key concepts:

1. Identifying the "Self" ('I') vs. the "Mine" ('My'):

   • The core practice involves separating the true Self ('I') from all that is perceived as "mine" – name, body, relationships, possessions, thoughts, ego, etc.
   • "Chhitu Lal" is merely a name, a relative identification. The suffering arises from identifying the Self with these relative elements.
   • The practice of saying "My house," "My wife," "My body" creates a sense of ownership that obscures the true Self. The goal is to realize that which remains when all "my" things are separated – the pure Self ('I').
   • This separation, or "Bhedgnan" (discriminative knowledge), is crucial and can only be truly facilitated by a Gnani Purush (Self-realized being) who acts as a "separator."

2. The Nature of the Self and Wrong Beliefs:

   • The primary cause of suffering is "dehadhyas" (identification with the body) and "wrong beliefs" (e.g., "I am Chhitu Lal," "I am a husband," "I am a father," "I am a lawyer," "I am Gujarati," "I am 45 years old"). These are all superimposed identifications.
   • Ego arises from falsely attributing "I" where it doesn't belong. The goal is to place the "I" in its exact, true location.
   • The book stresses that the Self has been hidden from itself for infinite lifetimes, leading to constant wandering. Human birth is specifically for the search and discovery of "Who am I?".

3. The "Creator" of the World:

   • Dada Bhagwan clarifies that the world is not created by a personal God. It is a "scientific circumstantial evidence" governed by a natural force he calls "Vyavasthit Shakti" (Organized Energy).
   • Blaming God or external circumstances for one's problems is a fallacy. The true "culprits" are one's own mistakes and blunders.
   • The concept of a "creator" leads to an infinite regression of "who created the creator?" The universe is anadi-anant (without beginning or end).

4. Karma and Liberation:

   • Karma is not independent; it is based on the doer. When one realizes they are not the doer, karma ceases to bind.
   • Liberation (Moksha) is not a destination but a state of returning to one's true nature. It's not about arduous effort but about realizing the truth.
   • The "Akram Marg" offers immediate liberation, like a lottery win, as opposed to the long, effortful "kramik" path.

5. The Role of the Gnani Purush:

   • A Gnani Purush is essential for facilitating this self-knowledge. They are the only ones who can separate the Self from the non-Self.
   • Gnani Purush are described as being without intellect (abudh), ego, or possessiveness. Their very presence radiates purity and wisdom. They are the ultimate facilitators of liberation.
   • A "Guru" teaches the path and helps maintain discipline, while a "Gnani Purush" grants the direct experience of the Self.

6. Dada Bhagwan and Simandhar Swami:

   • "Dada Bhagwan" refers to the pure Soul, the Lord of the fourteen realms, who has fully manifested within A.M. Patel. A.M. Patel himself is a Gnani Purush and bows to this inner Dada Bhagwan.
   • Simandhar Swami is the current Tirthankar in Mahavideh Kshetra (another continent). Devotees are encouraged to remember Simandhar Swami during their prayers, as he represents the current living Tirthankar.

7. The Five Agnas (Commands):

   • After receiving self-knowledge, the crucial practice is to follow five Agnas. These act as a protective fence to preserve the imparted self-knowledge and prevent new karmic bonds.
   • These Agnas ensure continuous self-awareness and lead to liberation. They are not about adding more practices but about living in a state of awareness and non-attachment.

In essence, "Mai Kaun Hun" is a guide to understanding one's true identity as the pure Soul, separate from the body, mind, and ego. It presents Dada Bhagwan's Akram Marg as a direct and accessible path to achieve this realization, emphasizing the critical role of a Gnani Purush in this transformative process.