Dada Vaswani
Dada Vaswani: A Life of Spiritual Enlightenment
Full Name and Common Aliases
Dada Vaswani was born as Nargolkar Narasimhanand Swami on November 2, 1911. He was affectionately known to his followers as Dada (which means "elder brother" in Hindi) Vaswani.
Birth and Death Dates
November 2, 1911 – June 12, 2015
Nationality and Profession(s)
Indian spiritual leader, guru, and philanthropist
Early Life and Background
Born in the state of Maharashtra, India, Dada Vaswani was raised in a traditional Hindu family. His parents were devout followers of Swami Ramdas, a renowned saint who would later become his mentor. From an early age, Narasimhanand Swami demonstrated a deep connection with spirituality and a desire to serve humanity.
Major Accomplishments
Dada Vaswani's life was marked by numerous accomplishments that showcased his unwavering commitment to spiritual growth and service. Some of his most notable achievements include:
Establishing the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in 1942, which aimed at promoting human welfare through education, healthcare, and self-empowerment.
Creating the Dada Vaswani Mission's publication arm, "The Divine Life," which disseminated spiritual knowledge to a global audience.
Conducting international tours, sharing his wisdom with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.Notable Works or Actions
Dada Vaswani was a prolific writer and speaker. His books and talks addressed various aspects of spirituality, self-improvement, and social responsibility. Some notable works include:
"The Essence of Spirituality"
"The Message of the Bhagavad Gita"
"A Life of Purpose"
Impact and Legacy
Dada Vaswani's influence extended far beyond his teachings. He inspired countless individuals to adopt a more compassionate and mindful lifestyle. His commitment to social welfare led to the creation of numerous schools, hospitals, and community centers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Dada Vaswani is widely quoted for his insightful wisdom on spirituality and human relationships. His quotes often focus on:
Embracing love and compassion as the foundation of a harmonious world.
Encouraging individuals to develop self-awareness and inner peace.
* Promoting interfaith understanding and respect.
His message continues to inspire people from all walks of life, reminding them that true happiness lies in serving others.
Quotes by Dada Vaswani
Throw out the fun-killers that you carry about with yourselves all the time. Three of them are lust, greed, and hatred.
True it is that each of us has only one life - but how many of us 'die a thousand deaths' in fear and nervousness!
Every week brings to us 10,080 minutes That is our capital. How shall we use it to get the utmost benefit?
We cannot separate ourselves from those whom we call the 'lower' animals. They are lower in the scale of evolution, but they, like us, are members of the One Family. We must not take away the life of any creature. Indeed, we must never take away that which we cannot give. And as we cannot restore a dead creature to life, we have no right to take away its' life.
When we begin to understand the concept of Karma we will never ever blame God for anything that happens to us. We will realise that we are responsible for all that happens to us. As we sow, so shall we reap. Rich or poor, saint or sinner, miser or philanthropist, learned or illiterate ... This is the Universal Law that applies to individuals, to whole communities, societies, nations and races. As we sow, so shall we reap.
There is no death! Death is very much like sunset. It is only an appearance. For, when the sun sets here, it rises elsewhere. In reality, the sun never sets. Likewise, death is only an illusion, an appearance. For, what is death here is birth elsewhere. For life is endless.
Empathy is forgetting oneself in the joys and sorrows of another, so much so that you actually feel that the joy or sorrow experienced by another is your own joy and sorrow. Empathy involves complete identification with another.
How long will you wait for the right time to come? The right time is now and the right place is here.
Debts that must be paid ... that sums up the concept of karma. But I would add that karma is not a burden that you have to carry. It is also an opportunity to learn, a chance to practice love and forgiveness, a chance to learn lessons that are valuable to us. Karma offers us the chance to wipe our dirty slate clean, to erase the wrong doings of the past.