Jashan Pahalraj Vaswani, or “Dada” as he’s fondly addressed by his millions of followers around the world, celebrates his 95th birthday on 2nd August 2013. Although a scientist by training, he has conquered the world through his love, compassion and humility.
Over the past five decades, he has worked tirelessly towards spreading the message of his Master, Sadhu T L Vaswani. As a leading spiritual luminary, he has addressed the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, the British House of Commons in London, the Global Forum of Spiritual Leaders in Oxford, the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations in New York. In 1998, he was bestowed the prestigious U-thant peace award.
Dada surprises
I recall my first contact with Dada, a few years ago. I got the privilege to interview him in person. The experience of meeting him was so profound that I wrote an article about it, even before I finished writing the interview. This was published in our August 2008 issue. Even today, after five years, the memory of my interaction brings me goose bumps. His responses to my questions were as spontaneous as they were rich. The clarity of his thoughts triggered a strange feeling of euphoria in everyone who was present in the room. I can never forget that moment when, upon thanking him, touching his feet and asking for his blessings, he said to me, “I should thank you and you bless me, as I see God in you.” Saying this, he bowed down to touch my feet. I was speechless! Here was a man who practised everything that he preached. He just didn’t say it as so many do—he actually saw God in everyone.
Since that blessed day, I have had the honour of meeting him several times on different occasions and he has never failed to surprise me by recollecting our previous interactions in detail. The last time I met him in December 2012, he caught me off guard yet again. I was in Pune and thought of visiting the Sadhu Vaswani Centre to attend the Sunday morning discourse. Somehow he learnt of my presence. As I was sitting in the audience, Dada started the session by announcing to the audience of devotees that I was there, referring to me as his ‘very dear friend’. He then went on to praise Complete Wellbeing, calling it one of the best magazines in India. Later, he publicly felicitated me, and also my mother and my wife, who had accompanied me.
The divine is in you
Dada’s strength comes from his simplicity, faith, humility and his deep love for his master, Sadhu T L Vaswani. His teachings are simple and clear—and that’s what makes them so inspiring. Cutting across religion, Dada’s messages urge us to embrace the love of God—a God he sees in everything and everyone.