Dada Bhagwan, born as Ambalal Muljibhai Patel in 1908 in India, was a revered spiritual leader and the founder of the Akram Vignan movement, a spiritual science focused on self-realization through grace rather than traditional practices. A humble and devout man, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening in 1958, which led him to share his insight into the nature of the Self and the path to liberation. Emphasizing non-violence, equanimity, and inner purity, his teachings have inspired thousands. He passed away in 1988, leaving behind a legacy of peace and practical spirituality.
"Don't some people say, 'You did not value me'? What value did you have at all? Go ask the ocean, 'what is my worth?' You will be swept away with one wave. The owner of many waves has swept away many a people like you! Worth is in those people who have no attachment-abhorrence."
"All the activities that are happening in this world are indeed done through the intellect; there is no need for Knowledge there. Knowledge is indeed in Knowledge (Knowing). And whatever actions are done through the intellect, the Knowledge 'Knows' it too."
"Samyak buddhi (right intellect) is that which shows things as they are."
"Regardless of how much wealth [material pleasures] one has, if he does not like bondage even for a moment, then he has become qualified to understand the science of the Vitarags [the enlightened one's]."
"There is no problem if the other person pushes us but we have to make sure that we do not push the other person. Only then will we obtain the love of the other person!"
"If the fruit (of your effort) is to your expectations, it is the effect (prarabdha, result) of your merit karma [punya karma], if it is not to your expectation, then it is the effect of your demerit karma [paap karma]."
"If one's mind becomes conflict-free, that is 'moksha'; conflict filled mind, that is worldly life."
"Complete departure of kashay (anger-pride-deceit-greed) is Moksha (Liberation). At first, there is the departure of kashays and then there will be 'that' [Liberation]."
"Anything you strive to correct, it will increasingly become wrong. So just let go of that which does not turn out right."
"The path of spirituality is a path where one has to keep on reducing his wishes for worldly happiness, as one moves on the path ahead. And ultimately there, natural and spontaneous bliss of the Self will arise. Your own true happiness, eternal happiness will arise."
"If the Soul were perceivable through the senses, there would have been no need to look for God; He would have been visible the moment one is born. Where the senses don't work, the mind doesn't work, the intellect doesn't work, where nothing works; God is seen. That is why it is said, 'I am indeed in your heart. Deceit (kapat) creates the veil and that is why He cannot be seen."
"Where there is insistence, there is tenacity and where there is tenacity, there is anguish."
"How does 'common sense' arise? Through conflicts. During conflicts, if one does not clash with anyone, even if the other person comes clashing with him, he should not clash with him. If one is able to remain this way, 'common sense' will arise. Otherwise, whatever 'common sense' there is, it too will disappear!"
"You are on a certain 'step'. This state is meant for only you, it is not applicable to other people. Others are on a different 'step'. Therefore you cannot pressurize anyone. You cannot have any 'objection' towards them."
"People get absorbed in chitchats with whomever they meet. They simply have to meet someone. Infinite energies are wasted in such chitchatting."
"The ultimate form is the embodiment of love (Premswaroop)! The love of these (so called) lovers (Romeo-Juliet) does not work there. The Love of God (the Lord) is 'Pure Love'. That which increases or decreases is infatuation [asakti]. There is no increase or decrease in 'Pure Love'."
"Worldly relationships are not true [are not real] it is a 'business arrangement'."
"The whole world has constantly wandered around in 'negativity' and died. This 'Akram' [science] is a fine 'positive' path."
"All day long, one continues to suffer sweet or bitter fruits. This life has been attained for the purpose of experiencing!"
"We can say that one has remained [correctly] in worldly interaction if one has 'adjusted everywhere'."
"Everyone in this world perform their 'duty'. But when one performs the 'duty' and he also intimidates [scolds] someone in the process, he will reincarnate in the animal life form. If he carries out his duties with understanding, he will return to the human life form. And if he performs them with humbleness, he will reincarnate into the celestial world."
"Inauspicious intents (ashubh bhaav) binds demerit karma (paap), auspicious intents (shubh bhaav) binds merit karma (punya) and pure intents (shuddh bhaav) results in liberation (moksha)."
"If your instigations stop, then there will not be anyone to instigate you. All these are indeed the results of your own [past] instigations. 'You' are a King of the whole universe. 'You' do not indeed have anyone above you (as a boss, upari). 'You', yourself are the Parmatma (absolute supreme Soul)."
"All this has been created from self-fault and self-imagination!"
"It is natural for a person to make a mistake (commit a fault). What is the way to become free from that? Only the Gnani Purush [the enlightened one] can show it, (which is) 'Pratikraman'."
"If you like happiness, then worship that wherein happiness is inherent. Happiness is in God. God is an abode of infinite bliss. If you worship the inanimate (the non-Self, [Jad]), then you will have pain because there is only pain in the inanimate."
"If attachment becomes fixed on a 'Gnani' [The enlightened one], then it becomes Real attachment (prashastaraag). It will get one's work done. It will uproot attachment in all other places. Because the Gnani is Vitarag, attachment-free. Attachment for a Vitarag gives liberation from all the suffering."
"It is called understanding when one accepts other's talks of wisdom; but, where is the wisdom filled talk in this era?"
"True intellect is that which resolves issues. All else is excess intellect, it causes harm."
"What is human beauty based on? It is based on how much egoism one has. Gnani Purush (the enlightened one) is without egoism so his beauty is beyond words!"
"What does Jinmudra (Tirthankar God's sitting posture) say? The lotus position of Vitrag Lords, one hand and foot placed over the other, preaches, "Oh, humans! Understand this if you have the wisdom. You have already brought with you the food, drink and all things you need; therefore, let go of the awareness that 'I am the doer' and make effort to attain Moksha (ultimate liberation)!"