Divine Intervention

With Dada J P Vaswani

Dada Vaswani was as saintly as a human being can get. Admired and revered as an outstanding spiritual leader of modern India, Dada touches your heart like no other. Profound humility being his hallmark, serving the poor and the unfortunate his mission

Text & Photographs: Farzana Contractor

Dada Vaswani's philosophy is simple; not theoretical, but practical, to be applied in the art of daily living; Pray, be positive, eat moderately, think good health, exercise regularly, walk as much as you can, practise silence, laugh aplenty, do one good turn every day, and avoid doing anything which will make you feel guilty. For guilt sows seeds of sickness in the soul ñ seeds which will affect the mind and the body.

Being in the joyous presence of Dada I would count among my most cherished experiences. He has that impact. You feel both, light and enlightened. He exudes a sense of innocence and purity that only a new-born baby does. It's no strange coincidence then, that when he spontaneously laughs from deep within he sounds like he is gurgling.
I had the honour, the pleasure and the good fortune of spending an entire morning with Dada, chatting away most unconsciously, at a large and well-appointed home of an NRI devotee of his, at Bombay's NCPA Apartments. Believe me, I came away feeling so happy and positive that none of the negatives happening the world over could make me feel low or sad, which these days I tend to feel, with all that does go on in this increasingly indifferent world of ours.

I remember reading somewhere Dada saying, 'All we are and have, will be offered to and belongs to God,' and so I started my interview asking him about God. "Each of us has God in us and right now I am meeting Him through you," he said, smiling gently. "You know, to get music of life, we have to tune in. Alas, we are out of tune with God and so life instead of being a symphony has become a discordant cacophony. Actually it's so simple. We have to just hand ourselves over to God, to accept everything including disgrace and disease, trouble and tribulation, misfortune and misery, as coming from God. Whatever comes from God is good. It comes to purify. Therefore we should rejoice in every situation and circumstance of life, giving gratitude to Him whose works are ever the works of mercy."

"But trouble is, most of us have thrown God out of our lives. We have to bring Him back!" So true, I thought to myself, drifting away even as Dada was speaking, the world is so busy spinning ahead in fast-forward mode, it seems to have forgotten God, fear of God has gone missing. Almost as if Dada read my mind he went on to say, "I remember when we were students, we were always conscious of God, we were afraid to do (wrong) things, we knew God was always watching. The blue print of future character building is put in place in little minds, every thought at that time matters, so teaching little children is all important. Spiritual awakening happens early in life."

Dada Vaswani has clear, shining eyes, not the piercing kind but soft eyes, full of kindness and compassion. At the same time, when he indulges in some humorous talk, they acquire a mischievous glint. You get most captivated by his delightful candour and ability to communicate as easily. "Teaching," says Dada, "in its truest sense is communicating." And he lives by that code. Communicating effortlessly, simply and with utmost humility.

"Loving, sharing, giving, these are the primary things. All of us have something to give! Let us give what we can to others. Our time, our talent, our know-how, our effort, our understanding, our concern, our sympathy, our smiles. Even if one person is comforted by your words; even if one person's broken heart is healed by your understanding; if someone's misery is wiped out by your kindness ñ you have made a difference. Let us give with love and compassion." So saying, Dada goes on to quote the Dalai Lama, "You know what he said, he said, 'If you want others to be happy, practise compassion. If you want to be happy, practise compassion."

Dada cannot emphasise enough the importance of giving, "I have but one tongue. If I had a million tongues, with each one of them I would repeat this one word - Give, Give, Give!" That's Dada for you. His is a mission with a vision. And give, give, give is what they do. The Sadhu Vaswani Mission is a humanitarian organisation headquartered in Poona with centres spread all over, in India and abroad, in Africa, North and South America, Europe and SE Asia. While it focuses on spiritual upliftment, it also looks at education, medical care, relief and rehabilitation and animal welfare. It helps the underprivileged, the physically challenged and the less fortunate ones, who are often forgotten by the rest of the world. "What is the point, if we don't do seva, there are many who are poor and needy. We must do as much good as we can, in as many ways as we can, to as many people as we can and as long as we can."

Dada is an avid reader. His personal library of over 16,000 books covers all topics from spirituality to science. Little wonder then, that even as we sat speaking on diverse subjects, Dada's language was simple yet beautifully flowery and he would often quote Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, or make references to Jesus Christ and the Bible and other holy books, other spiritual leaders. While discussing slavery he gave me the exact year when slavery was abolished! Dada's memory I learnt was prodigious. And as keen a reader, so also is Dada a prolific and gifted writer. He has written over 150 books which have gone on to be translated into several Indian and foreign languages. He also writes poems and lyrics!

"When do you write," I asked? "And when do you read? What time do you sleep, for how many hours, what do you eat? Do you exercise, practise yoga?" Clearly, I was emboldened by Dada's frank, honest and open way of talking and was shooting away questions. There were a few of Dada's devotees sitting discreetly, listening in. As also a few of his sevaks, his loyal, loving and caring minders. By the time I was done, it became a beautiful group interaction, all of which was being recorded on camera, just as every other meeting of Dada's is.

To come back from my tangent, Dada laughed at my candidness and patiently answered every question. And I learnt that while he 'retires' to his room after an early supper, he does not sleep until much later. And when morning comes, though he wakes up early, does not emerge from his room also until much later, unless he has to keep an appointment. However, that is when he, alone in his room, does what he feels like. Which is read, write, remain absorbed in his thoughts, commune with his Maker, practise silence. And by the way, he still uses a fountain pen and writes very carefully. I watched him sign a book for me, which I shall cherish.

And now we turn to food. "Food is very simple eating for me. Mornings it is a piece or two of rusk with half a cup of tea, depends, about 8 or 9 am. Lunch about 2 pm, a vegetable, chappati, some rice perhaps and dal."  On days he gives a talk, he says he could have an extra half cup of tea. "Why half," I enquire, "Because it's not good to take tea. I take it because it keeps my voice in shape!" he laughs and adds, "Dinner is same as lunch, maybe I will eat a slice of bread. There's no need for more. Extra food only becomes a burden." "You mean, you don't have yogurt, or soaked badam?" I ask. "Oh, you have caught me!" Dada quickly responds laughingly, "Yes, I have some yogurt at lunch time, but no, no badams, I can't eat, too hard," he says humorously pointing to his teeth. "But yes, I used to eat and even now sometimes eat home-made paneer." When I want to know what is that one thing we could consider junk food that he has ever eaten, he looks up and enquires from those around, "What is that mixture called?" "Chivda," comes the answer! "Chivda," he says with unabashed happiness. "Wow!" I say, "and what about a pizza, have you ever eaten one, in Europe or America, perhaps?" He laughs out loud and long and says, "No, never!" So when I point out that since he does eat bread and paneer, what if I make him one, adding ingredients like tomatoes and garlic, would he eat it? "Of course!" he retorts, "But for that you will have to come to Poona and make it in our kitchen!" I immediately agree, to which he replies, "And I will be waiting for you at the gate to welcome you when you come!" I am totally charmed.

The devotee in charge of his food tells me, "See, Dada never asks for anything. He simply eats what he is served, without any fuss. Though he has one weakness, strawberry ice-cream!" I turn to look at Dada, who is smiling away, eyes shining ever so much. When I ask why are his eyes shining so much, is it the strawberry talk, in total mock seriousness, he says, "I don't know, I never polish them!" and then gurgles away. Before I can catch my breath, he adds, "By the way, I do consult a few doctors." Seeing my questioning look, he says with some mirth, "Dr Diet, Dr Quiet, Dr Sunshine, and Dr Laughter!" And the one vitamin pill I consume is Vitamin W!" Which is Walking. Dada can be so funny!

"Exactly!" he says, "That's how you must be. Laugh and the world laughs with you!" For people who feel depressed, Dada often prescribes a generous dose of laughter. "Laughter is an all-round tonic. It is a physical, mental and spiritual tonic." And adds, for good measure, "It strengthens the lungs and the immune system, it aids digestion and helps respirations!" Dada himself laughs a lot. He cracks jokes and encourages you to do so. "Learn to be child-like," he says, "Take delight in the simple things of life. Be open, honest and spontaneous." Dada is such a living image of joy. His happy disposition emits an infectious aura of cheer and good feel that automatically makes you smile for no reason. I realise all the time I was with him I was smiling. Even as I asked him questions and eagerly awaited his answers, I was in a state of happy anticipation.
And so now I wanted to talk health.

Almost 99, Dada would put 60-year- olds to shame. All his life he has been a walker. "A brisk walker," adds another devotee, "whenever we accompany him, we all are running behind him, literally," she adds. "Walking is wonderful," says Dada. And solitary walking even better. That's when you think. It's when God speaks to you, through ideas.

"You see much depends on your thoughts. If your thoughts are pure, you are sure to be healthy. Health, if squandered, can never be fully restored. Good health is the greatest of all gifts. The choicest of blessings ñ for without it, we cannot enjoy any of our faculties and blessings."

In the most simple yet profound manner Dada went on to narrate just what good health stands for. "Good health is the basis of all that we value and cherish in human life ñ success, achievement, financial prosperity, emotional security and above all spiritual unfolding and inner peace."

"The mind and the body are vitally related. They influence each other's state of being. It has been established through research and case studies that all major illnesses of the body are linked to negative emotions. In other words, a negatively inclined mind causes physical ailments in the body. Negative emotions cause chaos and agitation in the mind, which affect the vital functions of the body. For example anger and tension release harmful toxins into the bloodstream. On the other hand, goodness and sympathy promote a healthy flow of pure blood to the brain, stimulating the brain cells."

"Deep breathing, meditation and virtuous living help you overcome infirmities. They infuse vitality and energy into the body. Silence and prayer put an end to nervous tension. Tranquility clears the complexion and lends lustre to your face. Happiness regulates your blood circulation. Sympathy strengthens the nerves, and generosity keeps your heart healthy and fit!"

When I asked Dada to point ways and means of achieving this end in daily life, he said, "Induce happiness into your life, act happy, be cheerful, do not envy anybody, do not anticipate bad things. Take care of your thoughts!"

Vegetarianism is Dada's way of life, obviously. A man, as spiritual and as compassionate  cannot be anything but. Though he and his sevaks never impose their views in a forceful manner, just leave you to choose to do so, I know Dada hopes people will turn to being vegetarian. Every year, November 25, which is the birth anniversary of Sadhu Vaswani, Dada's mentor, is observed as an International Meatless Day and Animal Rights' Day. The day serves as a reminder of his philosophy that reverence for all life is the first step to world peace. "For me, not to love bird and animal would be not to love the Lord," says Dada quietly, emotionally.

As for food and how you should eat it, is also simplified by Dada. Eat less, not more ñ moderation is the key word. Eat when hungry and never when angry, tired or emotionally disturbed. Uncooked food, which Dada calls, 'sun-cooked food', like salads and fruits, should be eaten in plenty. "Offer a simple prayer of gratitude to the Lord before you eat your food. Do not drink water along with your meals. Water dilutes the digestive juices and this may retard digestion. It is very important to chew food. Masticate, the process of digestion starts in your mouth. Snacking between meals is not a healthy thing to do. Most important of all, eat at fixed times and only if hungry. If you have no appetite, you will do well to skip a meal occasionally. Drink plenty of water during the day. Coffee, tea and soft drinks are best avoided. Experts remark that all liquids apart from water are either 'food or poison.'"

Dada also believes regular fasting, abstaining from food for a few hours or a few days, enables us to cleanse our systems. "De-toxify, that's the fashionable way of putting it, in today's world," he smiles and says. "During a fast, all toxic wastes accumulated in the body are thrown out ñ in the form of phlegm, faeces or gas. The reserves ñ the excess of carbohydrates, fats and vitamins that have built up in our system is used up efficiently and effectively. The body becomes light and agile. The best treatment for most ailments is abstinence from eating, I would say!" says Dada.

"Today, so many of the medical systems known to us require the use of drugs. Advertisements induce us to turn to this or that pill, antacids, painkillers, for 'instant relief'. These may offer temporary alleviation of our symptoms but not permanent cure. In the good old days we had family doctors who knew their 'patients' and their family members and their 'history' well. They would often cure us with a few simple medicines. But in these days of 'advanced' medicine we are forced to go through a complicated round of tests and procedures, all very time-consuming and prohibitively expensive. I am reminded of what Voltaire saidÖ 'Doctors pour drugs of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, into human beings of whom they know nothing!' However if you will permit me, I can offer a prescriptionÖ Turn to nama, The Divine Name and you will find a miraculous cure! The Name of the Lord is the elixir of life. The most effective remedy against all afflictions; it is the supreme and potent 'pep' pill that will lift you out of depression and exhaustion, it is the vital tonic that will keep you fighting fit to face the daily battle of life!" finishes off Dada with such energy and radiance it leaves you stumped!

I relate to and believe in this super human. I am reminded of my younger sister, a gentle, loving, pious girl whose life was snatched away 17 years ago, who could not understand why her, until one day she uttered the words, 'It's alright. It's Allah's will and I surrender myself to Him'. With immense inner strength, equanimity and dignity she faced her struggle, leaving us, her bereaved family, to always ponder on the deep message she had left us.

Is it strange then that in Dada's presence I should remember Shabana, my sweet sister? Dada, who told me at the beginning of the interview,  "We have to just hand ourselves over to God, to accept everything including disgrace and disease, trouble and tribulation, misfortune and misery, as coming from God. Whatever comes from God is good. It comes to purify. Therefore we should rejoice in every situation and circumstance of life, giving gratitude to Him whose works are ever the works of mercy."
Thank you Dada, you truly are a saint.