Dada Vaswani

Jashan Pahlajrai Vaswani or J. P. Vaswani  (August 2, 1918 – July 12, 2018) (Sindhi: جي پي واسوا ڻي),  lovingly called  'Dada',  was one of the leading spiritual luminaries of India and a renowned spiritual leader who headed the Sadhu Vaswani Mission for over 50 years. Universally acclaimed as a humanitarian, philosopher, educationist, author, powerful orator, messiah of ahimsa, and non-sectarian spiritual leader, Dada J.P. Vaswani is known worldwide. He was a scientist by training, a visionary, a widely-read scholar, and was known for his delightful repartee and a brilliant sense of humor!

Dada J. P. Vaswani
Dada Vaswani
Succeeded by	Didi Krishna Kumari
Personal
Born	Jashan Pahlajrai Vaswani (1918-08-02)2 August 1918 Hyderabad, Sindh, British India
Died	12 July 2018(2018-07-12) (aged 99) Pune, Maharashtra, India
Religion	Hinduism
Sect	Nonsectarian
Organization
Founder of	Sadhu Vaswani Mission's Medical Complex
Philosophy	'Love-in-Action', ‘Build your life in the Atman - the Rock of the Ages. And the Atman is reached through silence.’
Religious career
Guru	Sadhu Vaswani
Honors	U Thant Peace Award

Dada travelled to the East and the West to spread the message of faith

Dada was a scientist-turned-philosopher who transformed lives with love. His philosophy encompassed the essence of every religion. His life was that of intense empathy and compassion. In his utterances and day-to-day actions, Dada emerged as a tireless being who humbly served suffering humanity.

In Dada's own words, his vision for the 21st century was:

"My vision of the 21st century is that of a world without wars and without want – a world in which every human being, irrespective of his country, color, creed receives the necessities of life; a world in which every human being can hold his head high; a world in which the right to live is accorded to every creature that breathes the breath of life."

Dada Vaswani honored at the World Peace Center, Alandi, 2007

Dada J. P. Vaswani was an ambassador of peace, dedicating his life to promoting nonviolence, compassion, and understanding across the globe. In recognition of his tireless efforts, he was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Paul Harris Fellowship, Prani Mitra Award, U Thant Peace Award, Sant Shree Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize, and the World United's Lifetime Achievement Award.

He believed and taught that the way to God is to ‘Love God with all your heart and soul’ and by offering loving service to all of God’s creation. "If you would be truly happy, love one another. Meet hatred with love and forgiveness", he emphasized.  In an effort to propagate the magic of forgiveness, the Sadhu Vaswani Mission celebrates August 02, Rev. Dada's birthday, as Global Forgiveness Day with 2 p.m. observed as the Moment of Calm.

Dada’s teachings are consolidated into a way of life, a code of living. They are not constrained to a particular religion or sect. His philosophy encompasses the essence of every religion, presenting a unified approach to all belief systems of humanity. He held profound knowledge of scriptures - be it the Vedas, the Bible or the Quran.

After his guru Sadhu Vaswani passed on, Dada became the head of Sadhu Vaswani Mission which was then called the Brotherhood Association. Under his flagship, the Sadhu Vaswani Mission has successfully done monumental work in social, educational, medical, environmental and spiritual spheres. The Mission’s headquarters are located in Pune and its Centers are spread all over India and abroad.

Birth and Childhood

Jashan Vaswani was born on August 2, 1918, in Hyderabad, Sind to Pahlajrai and Krishnadevi Vaswani. When the infant opened his eyes and looked with wonder at the world around him, there was one who gazed deep into his eyes as if to say ‘I have been waiting for you, my child’. A bond was instantly established between the two as the tiny fist struggled to hold on to his uncle’s finger. Sadhu Vaswani, for such was his uncle’s name, then and there as it were, made him his own by placing a gift of a hundred rupee note in his tiny hand.  It was a historic moment. A ‘deal’ had been struck and the bargain thereof was going to benefit humanity at large.

As per his horoscope, Dada was named Veeru, which means “strength”. His birth was the cause of great rejoicing, so his parents named him “Jashan”, which signifies “festivity” or “celebration”.  Dada’s father Pahlajrai was an active social worker and reformer and lent his helping hand to many struggling souls. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he could speak and write English well. Dada’s mother, Krishnadevi, was a woman of courage, confidence, strong willpower and firm determination. Dada was brought up in a very pious and devout environment.

Even as a small boy, Dada loved to spend time in silence and reflection. He would often choose a quiet corner and reflect upon life or offer prayers as a child only could.  All his life he maintained that prayer is a very potent tool that can work wonders.

A voracious reader, he was inspired by his father and uncle, both brilliant orators, to try his hand at public speaking. At eight he won his first prize in an elocution competition and discovered that public speaking came to him very naturally. His English was flawless and he had a prodigious memory.

Compassion Shone Through Him

Since childhood, Dada was naturally compassionate and generous. He would frequently give away foodstuff and other articles from his home to a passing beggar or a needy person.  A particularly touching incident occurred on one of his birthdays. He had been eyeing a toy train in a shop window for some time, but the prohibitive price of fourteen annas had so far put it beyond his reach. On one of his birthdays, his mother gave him a rupee as a gift. Happily, he set out to buy the toy train. But just outside the shop, a poor beggar-woman with a pale child in her arms, begged for alms to save her sick child. There was a conflict in Dada’s heart. Should he buy the toy train or give the money to the beggar-woman? He tried to suppress the voice of his generous heart and proceeded to the shop, showed the rupee to the shopkeeper and asked him to take out his favorite train from the showcase. As he watched the dearly loved train move ever so elegantly on the rails, he could not drown the piteous cries of the beggar-woman and her ailing infant. Dada ran out leaving the shopkeeper grumbling clutching the rupee in his hand only to hand it over to the beggar-woman.

Dada serving food at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission Campus in Pune

These were the signs of the Dada-to-be who was going to give up his all for the sake of the Lord in the service of these poor, afflicted souls.

Academic Brilliance

Dada’s formal education started at the age of three. A bright child, he got two double promotions and finished his primary education in three years instead of the usual five years. In secondary school, he received a triple promotion, enabling him to join High School sooner than expected. While in High School, his dear father passed away and the family was plunged into a financial crisis.  At thirteen, he joined the D.J. Sind College, Karachi for a graduation degree in science. Standing first in the university he became a Fellow of the College. The pinnacle of his academic achievement came when he achieved his Master’s degree at the age of 17. His M.Sc. Thesis on “The scattering of X-rays by Solids” was examined by none other than the Nobel Laureate, Dr. C.V. Raman. The whole world lay at his feet beckoning him to join their ranks and earn more laurels for himself. But Dada relinquished a promising worldly career to follow in the footsteps of his guru and uncle Sadhu Vaswani.

Under the Aegis of his Master

Dada Vaswani at the feet of his Master Sadhu T.L. Vaswani

Dada had the special privilege of staying with his Master Sadhu Vaswani and serving him day and night. And thus the disciple was molded into the likeness of his Master. A time came when he saw life through the eyes of his Master.

One of the supreme lessons that Dada learnt from his master was that the service of the poor is the worship of God. While visiting the Pashupati temple in Nepal, Dada was so moved by the plight of a leper-patient lying near the gate covered with flies that he refused to enter the temple but instead tended to the needs of the leper.

Taking Up the Mantle

Dada pulling the Rath at Sadhu Vaswani's Rath Yatra

When the master left his physical body in 1966, the mantle fell on the capable shoulders of Dada. Holding aloft the torch bequeathed to him by his Master, Dada travelled the globe carrying his master’s message of love and compassion, spreading the sunshine of joy and hope wherever he went.

Dada with his devotees whom he liked to call 'friends'

Under his helm, the Sadhu Vaswani Mission became a world-renowned humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Pune and over 60 centers spread all over the globe.

A Powerful Orator and Prolific Writer

Dada Vaswani addressing the Parliament of World Religions, Cape Town, in 1999

An internationally acclaimed thinker and a brilliant orator, Dada, has addressed distinguished audiences worldwide, communicating only as he can, the positive messages of love, faith, joy and peace. He has spoken at eminent venues including the United Nations, the Millennium World Peace Summit, the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, South Africa, and Australia, the House of Commons in London, the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders on Human Survival in Oxford and Kyoto, Japan, The World Vision 2000 in Washington, the World Hindu Conference in Sri Lanka and the USA, the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders in New York, the Dag-Hammarskjold Auditorium at the United Nations during the 10th World Conference on Universal Peace in New York, the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the United Nations in 1994, and Rotary International’s South Asia Conference on Cooperation for the Development of Nepal in 1996, among other prestigious international forums around the world. Dada’s oratorical skills won him friends and admirers in the East and the West.[1]

A gifted writer, he authored over 150 books, many of which have been translated into foreign languages. From the sublime to the mundane, from the important to the practical, from the serious to the jovial, from religion to human relationships, Dada has shared invaluable knowledge through his books and writings.

Dada's works include 'Sadhu Vaswani - His Life and Teachings', [2]'Questions Answered - Questions You Have Always Wished To Ask',[3] 'Thus Have I Been Taught - Glimpses Into the Spiritual Journey of Dada J P Vaswani', [4] 'Mantras for Peace of Mind', [5] 'Make the Right Choice', [6] 'Lessons Life Has Taught Me', [7] '100 Stories You Will Never Forget'[8] 'Spirituality in Daily Life,'[9] 'What to Do When Difficulties Strike,'[10] 'Say No to Negatives', [11] 'Management Moment by Moment', [12] 'Kill Fear Before Fear Kills You',[13] 'The Miracle of Forgiving', [14] 'It's All A Matter of Attitude!', [15] 'Why Do Good People Suffer?', [16] 'The Way of Abhyasa', [17] 'Gateways to Heaven', [18] 'Daily Inspiration', [19] 'What Then?', [20] 'Life After Death', [21] 'The Patience of Purna', [22] 'From Hell to Heaven', [23] 'Friends Forever', [24] 'Break the Habit', [25] 'The Power of Thought', [26] 'Trust Me All in All Or Not at All', [27] '10 Commandments of a Successful Marriage', [28] 'The Seven Commandments of the Bhagavad Gita', [29] 'Stop Complaining - Start Thanking!', [30] 'Teachers are Sculptors', [31] 'Many Paths: One Goal', [32] 'Face it with Love', [33] 'What You Would Like to Know About Karma', [34] 'Formula for Prosperity', [35] 'The Power of Good Deeds', [36] '101 Stories for You and Me', [37] 'You Can Make A Difference', [38] 'Burn Anger Before Anger Burns You', [39] 'How to Overcome Depression & Other Heart to Heart Talks', [40] 'Saints for You and Me', [41] 'Dasavatara', [42] 'You Can Change Your Life', [43] 'Empower Yourself', [44] 'Secrets of Health and Happiness', [45] 'Happily Ever After', [46] 'I Am a Sindhi', [47] 'New Education Can Make the World New', [48] 'Peace Or Perish', [49] 'Bhagavad Gita in a Nutshell', [50] 'Comrades of God', [51] 'Swallow Irritation Before Irritation Swallows You', [52] 'Ten Companions of God - Life and Teachings of the Sikh Gurus', [53] 'Good Parenting', [54] 'Be In The Driver's Seat', [55] 'Women - Where Would the World be Without You?', [56] 'Heaven Can Wait! - Life and Teaching of Sadhu T.L. Vaswani in Stories and Incidents', [57] 'Perfect Relationship - Guru and Disciple', [58] 'Ego Goes: Divinity Grows', [59] 'The Simple Way', [60] 'Mantra for the Modern Man and Other Heart-To-Heart Talks', [61] and 'Ladder of Abhyasa'. [62]

Anjali Sangraha - The Significance of 'Anjali'

Anjali was the pen name used by Dada. His songs and slokas are compiled in the Anjali Sangraha. The word "Anjali" means an offering, symbolizing Dada Vaswani’s complete and total devotion to the Lord. The title of the compilation reflects this essence, representing a humble and heartfelt offering of devotion from Dada Vaswani to the Divine.

Notably, many of the songs and lyrics came to Dada spontaneously, as if divinely inspired, flowing naturally in moments of deep spiritual connection.

Crusader of Animal Rights

Dada believed that every creature that breathes the breath of life is a child of God!  How can we love God and not love His children?

One day, while taking his walk out in the open grounds in Chicago, Dada J.P. Vaswani passed by a lake. There was a family by that lake who was excitedly engrossed in fishing enjoying a lazy afternoon holiday. The others walking with Dada tried to bypass this, knowing Dada’s feelings regarding the killing of animals. But Dada resolutely walked towards the family and went up and asked them to release the fish into the waters. Initially, the man was aghast but the tender look in Dada's eyes touched his heart and without further questioning, he released the fish into the waters.

Dada caressing a bird

He has declared, “Meat eating and world peace appear to be poles apart. Actually the two are interlinked. So long as animals and birds are slain to provide food for man, so long we will not see peace on the face of this Earth. If man kills an animal for food, he will not hesitate in killing a fellow man whom he considers his enemy. The root cause of world wars is irreverence towards life.”

Dada’s deep compassion for all living beings led to the establishment of International Meatless Day and Animal Rights Day, observed annually on November 25, his Gurudeva Sadhu Vaswani’s birthday. The day emphasizes the principle that “Reverence for All Life is the first step to World Peace,” encouraging people around the world to honor and protect animals by abstaining from meat.

An Advocate of Peace

Dada wrote incessantly and spoke constantly on the need for world peace. One of his noteworthy books entitled, 'Peace or Perish: There is no other choice' was launched the world over. Every year the Mission conducts a Peace March, to increase the awareness of the urgent need for peace. The welfare of humanity was the thought uppermost in his mind.

These words from Dada are prophetic -

“The greatest need of humanity is peace and unity. The tortured, wounded soul of humanity has piteously cried for peace age after age. There can be no peace in the world so long as the hearts of men are a volcano. We will get peace only when we are willing to pay the right price – and the price for peace is recognition of the higher laws of nature and life: recognition of the ideals of tolerance, brotherhood, understanding and equality.”

In 2012, Dada J.P. Vaswani launched, The Moment of Calm, a global peace initiative, where people around the world pause at 2:00 PM  on 2nd August for a moment of silence, to forgive and let go of all the negativity and grudges from their hearts. Its purpose is to help individuals shed bitterness, anger, and hatred, and experience true joy and inner peace. Dada Vaswani believed that “Hearts at peace will create world peace”. Now, August 2nd, his birthday, is celebrated as Global Forgiveness Day, with 2 PM observed as the Moment of Calm.  People are encouraged to forgive themselves, forgive others and send out vibrations of love to create a more peaceful and harmonious world.

A Towering Educationist

Dada Vaswani with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and RA Mashelkar MIT WPU

A keen educationist, Dada firmly believed that children are the richest treasure of a nation. Set the child right, he urged, and the world will come out right.  He believed that along with academic excellence, education must be structured to nurture the nascent spirituality in every child. He believed that education should equip children for life, not merely for earning a livelihood.

Dada as the Principal of St. Mira's College in the 1960s

Under his aegis, the Mission opened several schools in different parts of India. Pune, as the headquarters, has numerous schools and colleges for girls where over 6000 students receive an education that stretches from the pre-primary to the post-graduate level. The education is centered on character building and spiritual awakening while addressing the intellectual, manual and emotional aspects of the student’s training. It aims at giving students a triple training: of the head, the hand and the heart. As Dada elucidated, “The brain, by itself, cannot find solutions to our problems. It is the heart that can do so. Therefore, in addition to developing the brain, we must train the emotions. We need to train the heart.”

A Humanitarian of the Finest Degree

“Philosophy and religious theory must wait, while the poor are cared for, the hungry are fed, and the ailing ones comforted,” Rev. Dada has told us. Dada's humanitarian spirit transcended caste, creed, color and religion.  When one poor patient was turned away by various hospitals for lack of funds, Dada's heart was so touched that he pledged to open a hospital that would take care of the poor patients. Today, under Didi Krishna Kumari’s flagship, the Sadhu Vaswani Mission runs a state-of-the-art medical Complex where health and healing are being provided to one and all irrespective of class and creed with quality and compassion.

Teaching and Philosophy

"My Religion is the religion of unity and love, service and sacrifice.  Let us fill our hearts with love – love of God, love of our fellow human beings, love of brother birds and animals. When our hearts are saturated with love there will be no place in our life for unhappiness. We shall be amongst the happiest of men on earth." so said Dada J. P. Vaswani.

Dada at a congregation of his devotees

As an answer to the question, “What is it to live?” Dada's simple response was  “To Live Is To Love!”  “Love is not an attribute of God,” said Dada. “Love is God.”  

Dada was a great believer in the strength and sustaining power of love. His emphasis was on what he called “love-in-action”, which manifests itself in sympathy, service and sacrifice.  

Dada was once asked, "What is your philosophy?"

"My philosophy is the philosophy of acceptance. Accept everything that comes to you as a gift from God. There is a meaning of mercy in everything that happens. God is all love. God is all wisdom. Experiences come to us as calamities, illnesses, adversities, and in other forms. But behind them all is the Divine Hand at work. There is a meaning of mercy in everything that happens. Therefore, accept, rejoice and move forward!"

“In love,” he said, “is the solution to all the problems of life.”  

Influence

Dada Vaswani with The Dalai Lama

Utter simplicity, genuine humility, a brilliant analytical mind and tremendous positive faith -- all this went into the magnetic personality that was Dada J. P. Vaswani. A personality who in his own humble and inimitable way earned the praise and respect of world luminaries such as the late Pope John Paul II, The Dalai Lama, late Mother Teresa, leaders in government such as Dr S. Radhakrishnan, Rajiv Gandhi, L K Advani, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and others.

Death

Vaswani on a 2023 stamp of India

Vaswani's health began to decline in May 2010, when at the age of 91, he fell and fractured his hip while playing ping-pong with children in Panama. He never fully recovered from the injury and was confined primarily to a wheelchair the rest of his life. After several days in a Pune hospital for undisclosed ailments, Vaswani returned to his mission and died on 12 July 2018. He died three weeks shy of his 100th birthday.[63]

Further reading

• Bharucha, Ruzbeh N. (2016). Conversations With Dada Vaswani: A Perfect Disciple, A Reluctant Master. Penguin India. ISBN 9780143426660.

External links

• Works by Dada Vaswani at Open Library
• Dada Vaswani at LibraryThing