Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani’s birth-centenary observed amid chantings, prayer sessions and sevas
Day 1- Honouring 100 Years of a Dedicated Life, began with 108 havans alongside the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra; a regular all through the three days. The afternoon session included recitations from the scriptures and then it continued with the reading of verses from the Anjali Sangraha- authored by Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani.
An aarti ensued wherein devotees joined in. Later, were sessions ofbhajans and kirtans.
A seva session too was simultaneously conducted wherein students from Mahilashram High School, Karve Nagar of Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha received daily supplies and school stationery.
It concluded with an audio of guided meditation by Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani.
The evening session was led by soul-stirring vocals by renowned singer, Vikram Hazra, who gave a beautiful tribute saying how years back a child had touched his heart and the child was none other than beloved Dada. His loving affirmation of how Dada was still there, listening and smiling to his songs was truly touching.
This was followed by an audio-visual of the Mission Activities and tributes by dignitaries, celebrities and spiritual luminaries of the likes of Anees Chisti and HH Dalai Lama.
Next, was video discourse by Rev. Dada. It began with a previously recorded birthday video of his where he had said, how he was neither born nor will he die; a much needed assurance to all. It later blended into the importance of bringing back prayer into our lives.
Day 2- Honouring 100 Years of Selfless Service, continued with bhajans and kirtans stirring the very soul of devotees and attendees alike.
Evening witnessed soulful singing by renowned singer, Ameya Dabli. Followed by a few cinematic clips of Rev. Dada’s attitude of selfless service. Many an eyes were tear-touched in the Mira Hall and all across the Mission.
This was followed by an audio-visual clip of the newly launched Manjri school greeted amid applauses.
Later an upadesh of Sadhu Vaswani followed by an upadesh of Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani was played. It was once again on the idea of service and how nations need to be built on this attitude.
As the day 2 came to a conclude,The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s message received from the PMO said, “I fondly remember the serenity that shone in the demenour of Dada Vaswani. He had a deeply calming presence. He was a fountain of wisdom quenching the thirst of the world for peace, harmony and salvation. Every breath in his body was dedicated towards serving the people in need.”
At the midnight session, of the birthday eve, the SoulFire burned extra bright. Elevated by the soulful, stirring Kirtans by Ameya Dabli, Kaajal Chandiramani, Dr. Harish Wadhwani, Renu Gidoomal, and others, as the scheduled session at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune approached its conclusion, attendees expressed their thirst to keep the satsang going until midnight to usher in the Master’s blessed birth centenary. Their ardent wish was granted. The Sangat’s consciousness seemed to rise collectively as the singing hit crescendo after crescendo. The Name Divine, mixed with tears and soft smiles, seemed to pour out of each and every person.
As the midnight hour approached, satsangis made their way from the Gita Mandir to the Maha Samadhi of Rev. Dada. Gazing into the Master’s Love-filled eyes, and singing with voices meant to reach His ever-listening ears. It felt to many as though the Master, fulfilling His promise, was in their midst, clapping along, blessing the gathering with His radiant and knowing smile. And so, the day of Love’s Century began.
Finally, on the 2nd of August, on Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani’s birthday- Honouring 100 Years of Unconditional Love, a crowd unlike any seen before gathered at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission to observe the birth centenary of their Master, Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani.
Seva of artificial limbs and daily supplies progressed on to day 3 as well. Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Shiv Khemka, Actor- Karan Sharma and Ritu Chabria joined in the seva alongside other dignitaries.
On the occasion, a book launch by Swami Chidanand Saraswati on Dada’s journey of love- To Love him, is to know him was launched. He recalled how he was here at a meeting with Rev. Dada and offered him Ganga Jal, Rudrakhshand and an elaichi malaand added on to say that, Dada is Ganga, Dada is the Rudrakhsa, Dada is the fragrance of the mala! He further said that Guru is not mere teaching. Guru is a touch. Guru is a transformation. Dada is a mixture of all; teaching, touch and transformation. Dada is everything. Nobody needs to look any further for the Guru is never gone, he is always on.
A video upadesh of Dada was then shown. Rev. Dada spoke of how he is immortal and how he existed even before the mountains came into being or oceans began to flow. The devotees were enthralled at this timely assurance. The video also included a message that explained the value of the human-birth and how important it is to attain God.
At 2 pm, the Moment of Calm session was held wherein people from all over the world joined in to forgive and free themselves of hatred, resentment and grudges.
“It was a wonderful event. The vibrations were divine, I was transported to another world. I feel blessed to have attended this session. As for Dada, we cannot put him in words, if we did so we would be limiting him. He is infinite,” said Dr. Rairam who came from Gulbarga, Karnataka for the event.
“The experience was divine. Although we have been here a several times because our sons are on the path, today we have come for ourselves. We experienced a different kind of peace. Honestly, nothing has changed. Dada’s presence is stronger than before. Dada, is here,” said Anil and Sarita Bhasin.
“I am so much at peace, I cannot describe it. The vibrations are too strong and what of the positivity, I have never experienced anything of the like,” added Ranjana Bhasin.
On the Moment of Calm, Divina Mirpuri from St. Martin said, “It was a beautiful function. So fulfilling, so loving. Earlier we would take appointments to meet Dada, we needn’t do that anymore. He is everywhere now. As for the Moment of Calm, that’s the only way we can attain peace. Grudges, resentments can take us nowhere. We have to forgive and we have to begin now.”
Soni Malhotra, an Account Executive from New Jersey, commented, “After the Moment of Calm, I felt very much at peace. I felt one with Dada. It felt as if His Presence was guiding us through the forgiveness process.”
Beena Punjabi from Jakarta, Indonesia, said, “It was a very peaceful, breath taking moment. It cannot be captured in words, just felt.”
The evening session saw the presence of Shri L. K. Advani who also launched two books.
Three-day programme of Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani concluded with serving of prasads.
Singers at the occasion, included Kaajal Chandiramani, Ameya Dabli, Seema Ramchandani, Jatin Udasi, amongst others.
Dignitaries that attended the event included, Shri L.K. Advani, Spiritual Leader Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Dr. K.H. Sancheti, Lila Poonawala, Ritu Chabria, Feroz Poonawala, Ex-Chief Minister- Prithviraj Chauhan amongst many more
