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.
"The one who has enlightened view (right belief; samkiti), he indeed does not have any problems, anywhere. He remains only the Knower-Seer everywhere. As long as there is any problem or objection, it cannot indeed be called samkit (enlightened view, right belief)."
"Unless there is a 'clear evident experience of the True Self' [spasthvedan], till then 'Principle' cannot be attained."
"There are so many things in this world. If we put it in short (succinctly), then what will remain? The 'pure Soul' and 'circumstances'. Moreover, to disperse is the nature of circumstances. Therefore, the Pure Soul will not have to tell them to go away."
"What is the difference between aradhana (worship) and bhajana (to be one with)? Aradhana (worship) means the attention will go over and over again there, and bhajana (oneness) means continuous engrossment. One is to do aradhana (worship) and bhajana (oneness) for only one's own Self; everything else will carry on naturally."
"Being dependent on this world will lead to betrayal. It will deceive us at the right time. It is better to depend on a pillow, at least it will not move away from us at the right time. The one that is living will move away."
"When egoism ends, that indeed is called the Absolute supreme Self (Parmatma). Egoism indeed is the illusion."
"Whose vow can you abide by? You can take a vow of an idol, because an idol has no ownership. You can abide by a vow of a living being, provided he is not the owner of his body, however if he is the owner of his body, you cannot take his vow, because one day he will make you stumble."
"Causes for attachment are created at the very time abhorrence occurs. Familiarity (acquaintance) up to a certain point will result in attachment and if it reaches 'ridge point' & goes past further, it will result in abhorrence."
"There is everything in this world. But check and see what is allotted to you. if you are truthful, you will get everything. People say that God helps those who are truthful. No, it's not like that. A truthful person receives divinity [aishwarya (Godly energies)]. It requires from one; truthful intentions, honesty and real faith (loyalty)."
"Where there is no Sachchidanand [sat-chit-anand, eternal knowledge and vision leading to bliss], there is night (darkness)."
"The body is doing the action, body's spare-parts are doing the action and the egoism simply does the egoism of, 'I did'! Subtle-pride of egoism is created from this doer-ship and one is living due entirely on this basis. He simply tastes the subtle-pride of doer-ship; 'I did', 'I suffered this pain', 'I enjoyed that happiness'. The person who gets rid of this subtle-pride will get freedom. Why does one taste this sweetness of subtle-pride of doership from infinite lives? He does this because he has never before tasted the sweetness of the Soul."
"Circumstances will continue to change. They will not adjust to you; you will have to adjust to them. Circumstances are without inner-intent and you are with inner-intent. To make the circumstances favorable is our job. Unfavorable circumstances are indeed favorable. One feels exhausted going up the stairs, and yet why does he climb them? There is the inner-intent that he will be able to go up; he will be able to take advantage of what is up there; that is why!"
"People say, 'that bump caused me to trip', but the bump says, 'I am where I have always been. It's the wretched ones who can't see, they come my way and trip over!"
"Until Self-realization is attained; it is not worth having a fixed-view at any place, it is not worth having habitual-devotion at any place and it is not worth stopping anywhere."
"People will not refrain from criticizing. But one should not keep on criticizing. The world is such that it will run smoothly without any criticism. This world is not worth interfering in. It is just worth 'Knowing'."
"Worries and sufferings are helpful for (one's) spiritual development."
"There is no Gnan (True Knowledge) where there is 'egoism' and where there is Gnan, there is no 'egoism'."
"The Knower of the Soul is considered Self Realized (The Enlightened one). The knower of all the eternal elements is known as Omniscient (sarvagna)."
"There is infinite energy within you. Whatever you think within, that very same thing will happen on the outside! However, here one chases his thoughts and works hard for things and yet nothing happens on the outside, people have incurred so much loss! Kaliyug (the time-cycle with lack of unison of mind, speech and body) is upon us!"
"As long as there is greed (desire) for even a single situation, one will have to come back into the world and wandering will continue until then."
"Importance is not in 'discharge' (of karmas) that occurs, but it is in the contemplation (dhyan) within at that time in effect that is important."
"You will not realize the absolute supreme Self (parmatma) unless the weakness departs. Anger, pride, deceit and greed are the weaknesses."
"One, who has passed through one pain, gets the strength to pass through many pains. Then he becomes the expert in passing through the pains."
"The paramanus [indivisible atoms] of mind-speech and body are effective. That is why things appear as good or bad. It shows good as being bad and bad as being good. And because of that, opinions are formed. The parmanus [indivisible atoms] of mind-speech-body themselves express opinions."
"Whatever one knows, he knows on the basis of his egoism. The 'Gnani' [The enlightened one], who doesn't know how to do anything; has no egoism whatsoever."
"Clashes should not occur whatsoever. Due to conflicts only have the energies diminished. Regardless of what may happen to the body, do not ever enter into conflicts. The body is not going to go away just because someone says so, or if someone casts a curse on it. The body is under the control of vyavasthit [scientific circumstantial evidences]."
"Gnani Purush' [the enlightened one] has become 'Soul' (Atma, Self) while staying with the body."
"That which the entire world regards as 'mine', it is [really] 'not mine'; this Knowledge itself is the Self, the Soul."
"As long as there is (worldly) selfish interest, there is no unity. Unity is attained with the ultimate intent of the Self [the intent of attaining self-realization, liberation]."